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August 15, 2004 7:21 pm

Metzger, Holdren hold off Australians

By KEVIN TRESOLINI

Gannett News Service

KALLITHEA, Greece — Stein Metzger had several reasons to draw what he termed "extreme satisfaction" from his Olympic beach volleyball debut, not all having to do with victory.

Certainly, that was the best thing that happened at a venue hugging the Sardonic Gulf's coastline here on Sunday afternoon.

In a match that was as close and competitive as possible, Metzger, the Honolulu native, and partner Dax Holdren slipped past Australia's Andrew Schacht and Joshua Slack 22-24, 24-22 and 15-13.

With two pool matches left, it's a positive step toward reaching the 16-team elimination round for the two. They play again Tuesday against Norway's Iver Horrem and Bjorn Maaseide, before encountering top-seeded Emanuel Rego and Ricardo Santos of Brazil on Thursday.

"We've always felt we could medal," said Metzger, who had no reason to believe otherwise on Sunday. "We got the silver medal in our first world championships together (last year in Brazil) and we've beaten every team here."

Metzger and Holdren became partners out of necessity, jilted when their previous teammates — Kevin Wong and Eric Fonoimoana — decided to combine talents.

But Metzger and Holdren are here, as the No. 2 U.S. qualifiers behind Dan Blanton and Jeff Nygaard. Wong and Fonoimoana are not, finishing fourth in the qualifying system.

"It's real satisfying to be here, particularly after just a year of international competition (with Holdren)," Metzger said. "It was tough after the breakup with Kevin, but that's behind us now. That's just part of the sport."

Sunday's victory came down to crucial points at pivotal times.

Metzger finished the second game with a pair of service aces. His dig and, after Holdren's set, subsequent kill gave the pair match point at 14-12 in the third game. The Australians repelled the first try, but Holdren buried a shot in the sand to win the match.

"My partner really picked it up at the end of the games," said Holdren, from Santa Barbara, Calif. "He made big plays. We didn't get here by being a big blocking team. We've got to play hard. But we can do as well as any other team here if we can get hot."

Metzger attributed the victory to spunk more than skill, a virtue he believes could carry the pair a long way.

"We have to win like that," Metzger said. "We're two small guys, so we have to claw, get digs, win rallies. That's what we did today."

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