UCI polo quartet, paddler Zur advance to semifinals

BEIJING — Former UC Irvine All-American Jeff Powers scored two goals as the U.S. Olympic men’s water polo team defeated Germany, 8-7, Monday in China to advance to the medal round for the first time since 1992.

Ryan Bailey and Tim Hutten, two other previous UCI All-Americans, scored one goal each as Team USA won Group B with a 4-1 record. The U.S. earned a bye into the semifinals and will face the winner of the Spain-Serbia quarterfinal. The U.S. men’s water polo team is scheduled to play its semifinal Friday at 7:40 p.m. in Beijing (2 a.m., PST).

Powers scored his first goal at 4:37 in the first quarter to tie the match at 1-1. Hutten buried the ball in the back of the goal with 2:24 remaining in the first to give Team USA a 2-2 tie. Bailey’s shot with 52 seconds left in the first gave the U.S. its first lead of the contest at 3-2 and Powers added his second goal in the second quarter for a 4-2 edge.

In the men’s 1,000-meter single kayak, Rami Zur, a Newport Beach resident, placed sixth in qualifying heats at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park Monday afternoon. He advanced to the semifinals, which will be held on Wednesday.

In men’s indoor volleyball, Kevin Hansen, a Corona del Mar High product, produced 11 assists, that helped the Americans win their pool with a victory over Japan Monday in China.

Team USA, which also includes UC Irvine men’s volleyball coach John Speraw as an assistant, remained undefeated with its fifth-straight triumph, a 25-18, 25-12, 25-21 win.

The U.S. men’s volleyball team will next play Serbia in the quarterfinals Wednesday at 7 a.m. (PST).

— From staff reports