Trojans earn quarterfinal slots in beach volleyball and men’s water polo; Rai Benjamin and Andre De Grasse through to track semis.
Olympics | August 05, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE — Several Trojans helped their respective teams take another step closer to Olympic podiums today, led byMicah Christenson's efforts for Team USA in pushing the U.S. men's indoor volleyball team into medal contention after a quarterfinal win over Brazil today. Meanwhile, on the beach and in the pool, Trojans are through to quarterfinals in men's water polo and beach volleyball after victorious days in Paris. For Team USA,Hannes Daubecontinued his scoring tear with a three-goal outing to push the United States out of reach of Croatia to wrap group play in men's water polo. Daube has now scored 15 goals in the USA's five games in group play as the Americans advance to the quarterfinals. So, to have Trojans representing Australia and Greece secured quarterfinal slots. In beach volleyball, USC alumsTina Graudina(Latvia) andAndy Benesh(USA) are each through to the quarterfinals after Round of 16 wins today. On the track, TrojansRai Benjamin(USA) andAndre De Grasse(Canada) advanced to the semifinals in the 400m hurdles and 200m, respectively, after solid runs today.See below for full results and statistics for USC athletes in Paris today.
August 5 Recap
Men's Indoor Volleyball
• Trojan alum and three-time OlympianMicah Christensonhelped put Team USA within reach of a medal with a 3-1 (26-24, 28-30, 25-19, 25-19)quarterfinal win today over Brazil, pushing the Americansthrough to the semifinals on Aug. 7.Christenson had42 assists, six digs, three kills and one acefor the USA in today's win.
Women's Beach Volleyball
Round of 16: Graudina/Samoilova (LAT) def. Müller/Tillmann (GER) 2-1• A two-time national champion as a Trojan and two-time Olympian,Tina Graudina(Latvia)secured a spot in the quarterfinalswith a tense 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 18-16) win over Germany'sMüller/Tillmann. Graudina had 17 kills, seven blocks, three aces and three digs in today's win.
Men's Beach Volleyball
Roundof 16:Benesh/Partain (USA) def. Cottafava/Nicolai (ITA) 2-0• First-time Olympian TrojanAndy Beneshis on to the quarterfinals after helping his USA pair to a 2-0 (21-17, 21-18) win over ItaliansCottafava/Nicolai. Benesh hadeight kills, five blocks and two aces in today's Round of 16 victory.
Men's Athletics
400m HurdlesRound 1• Two-time Olympian and medalistRai Benjamin(USA) won his heat and placed 16th overall in a time of 48.82 toadvance to the semifinalson Aug. 7.
200m Round One • Three-time Olympian and six-time medalistAndre De Grasse(Canada)finished second in his heat in a time of 20.30 toadvance to the semifinalson Aug. 7.
• Three-time OlympianAaron Brown(Canada)finished fourth in his heat in a time of 20.45 tomiss automatic advancement to the semifinals; he will race in Repechage on Aug. 6.
Women's Athletics
400m Round 1• A two-time Olympian,Kendall Ellis(USA)finished fifth in her hear and 24th overall in a time of 51.16 to miss automatic advancement to the semifinals; she will race in Repechage on Aug. 6.
400m Hurdles Repechage• A two-time Olympian,Gianna Woodruff(Panama)finished third in her heat in a time of 55.10, missing advancement to the semifinals.
200m Semifinals• A first-time Olympian,Lanae-Tava Thomas(Jamaica)finished fifth in her semifinal race in a time of 22.77, missing advancement to the final.
Men's Water Polo
Group B Play: Japan 14, Australia 13—Australia finishes second in group to advance to quarterfinals • A 2018 NCAA champion at USCand first-time Olympian, goalieNic Porterplayed in goal in the first half for Australia, making six saves and allowing six goals as the Aussies led it 7-6 at halftime before falling to Japan.
• Two-time OlympianBlake Edwardsscored one goal and had a steal for Australia.
• Two-time OlympianLachlan Edwardsscored two goals for Australia.
• A 2018 NCAA champion at USC and first-time Olympian,Jacob Mercepmade his first start for Australia in Paris.
•Playing in his third Olympic Games, three-time NCAA championKostas Genidouniasscored one goal and had two rebounds for Greece in its win overItaly.
Group A Play:USA 14, Croatia 11 —USA finishes third in group to advance to quarterfinals •Playing in his second Olympic Games, 2018 NCAA championHannes Daubescored three goals for Team USA to help secure its third win of group play. Daube has scored a total of 15 goals in the USA's first five games in
•Playing in his second Olympic Games, 2018 NCAA championMarko Vavicscored one goal and added a steal in Team USA's win.
Women's Diving
10m Platform Preliminary• First-time Olympian and incoming TrojanKate Miller(CAN)finished 20th with a scored of 266.30 to missautomatic qualification for the semifinals; she will stand as one of two reserve participants forthe semis.
NEXT UP:
Tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 6), Olympic competition heats up in the pool when seven Women of Troy dig in for quarterfinal action in women's water polo. Two-time silver-medalistAnni Espar(Spain) will go up against two Trojans on Team Canada —Verica BakocandHayley McKelvey— in the firstquarterfinal of the day. After that, Australian current Trojan Tilly Kearns has aquarterfinal clash with Greece, and then American Trojan trioEmily Ausmus,Kaleigh GilchristandAmanda Longancap up for Team USA against Hungary in an effort to push through to the semifinal round. Meanwhile, beach volleyball starsKellyChengandSara Hughes(USA) have aquarterfinal bout on tap tomorrow. There's plenty more ahead in Paris for USC athletes as well, including several semifinal races on the track.Check the full list of participating Trojans along with schedule and results HERE.
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