Italy's Osmany Juantorena (5) spikes the ball as United States' Taylor Sander (3) and David Lee (4) defend during a men's semifinal volleyball match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
RIO DE JANEIRO — The Olympic dream was in their grasp.
And then, desite their best effort, it was gone.
“It’s hard,” said BYU All-American Taylor Sander after the U.S. men lost a mammoth semifinal match to Italy 30-28, 28-26, 25-9, 25-22, 15-9. “Man, we were in control of that match, just a couple of plays.