Wednesday, August 13 

Misty May-Treanor and partner Kerri Walsh continue their seemingly inevitable march towards defending their 2004 gold medal.  May and Walsh have still yet to lose a set in their Olympic careers, and tonight match against Norway isn’t likely to provide a major obstacle.  Still, it’s always fun to watch them smash their opponents.  A victory tonight would send them on to the next round undefeated, and confident.  NBC, 8-11pm, Primetime block.

Thursday, August 14

The USA Men’s Water Polo team, chock full of Long Beach kids, will be taking on Serbia, their biggest test thus far in the Olympics.  They’re 2-0 going in, but it will be hard to remain undefeated against reigning world champion Serbia.  Still…the runner up in the last world champion was, you guessed it, the USA.  NBC, 1:30-2:30am.

The US Men’s Volleyball team, who may have their head coach back, will face Bulgaria in a clash of the undefeateds.  The team is looking great thus far, but it can clinch a berth in the next round of play with a victory today.  NBC, 8-9pm.

Unless something terrible and impossible should happen, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will begin play in the elimination round today. We won’t know until later who they’ll be playing, but let’s be honest: will it really matter?  NBC, 8-10pm, Primetime block.

Friday, August 15

It’ll be a tough test for the American Women’s Water Polo team as well, as they try to take down former Olympic bronze medalist Russia.  Russia’s recent defeat by China puts them essentially out of the competition, but they could still be looking to play spoiler.  The 1-0-1 USA team is guaranteed a spot in the next round, but are looking for the top seed, which they can only gain by defeating Russia today and taking the Group A title.  NBC, 12-1pm.

The US Women’s Volleyball team hopes to improve on its 2-1 record with a victory over host country China tonight.  This game will be a reunion of sorts, as the team’s head coach is a former Chinese volleyball star.  NBC, 10pm-midnight.