Volleyball : U.S. Women, East Germans Play Again Tonight

The U.S. women’s volleyball team may be in for another long evening when it plays East Germany tonight at 7:30 at San Diego State’s Peterson Gym.

Each of the first four matches of a five-match series between the United States and East Germany went five games. The U.S. team won the first two matches in Colorado Springs and San Luis Obispo, and the East Germans won the third in Fresno Tuesday. The U.S. team won Thursday at Cal State Bakersfield, 8-15, 13-15, 15-13, 15-10, 15-1.

The Americans and East Germans are believed to have an outside shot at a medal at the 1988 Games. With Cuba, the top-ranked team in the world, apparently skipping the Olympics, China is rated the favorite for the gold medal. Peru and the Soviet Union are also considered having shots at medals.

Behind those three are East Germany, the current European champions, and the rebuilding United States team.

The Americans are having their finest season since they won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics. Only one player, backup setter Kim Ruddins, remains from the 1984 team.

The United States is 19-6 in matches this year and has been ignited by the play of 18-year-old Keba Phipps, the youngest player on the team.

Phipps has started the past six months after being a reserve because of inconsistent play and illness. She joined the team at 17 and had some problems adjusting, then missed practice and playing time when she had a cyst on her kidney removed.

The Americans will play West Germany June 24 at UC San Diego, then will leave for an eight-team tournament in the Soviet Union in mid-July.