Scott Fortune Expected Back for Olympics

Laguna Beach’s Scott Fortune missed the U.S. Olympic volleyball team’s 3-0 loss to Brazil on Sunday night with a strained right hip, but he is expected to return to the lineup in time for the Olympics.

Fortune, the team’s captain and starting outside hitter, was injured during practice Thursday. He played in Friday night’s 3-0 victory over Brazil before sitting out Sunday.

“I can’t bend my leg too well or put much weight on it,” Fortune said. “Coach (Fred Sturm) felt that with only two weeks of practice left, it was more important to be healthy for practice than playing (Sunday).

“Personally, I thought it would have been better to get a victory tonight and be more positive for the Olympics.”

Fortune, a member of the 1988 Olympic gold-medal team, plans to take three days off this week on the advice of team trainer Dan McDonough.

The U.S. team, which features past Olympians Steve Timmons, Jeff Stork, Bob Ctvrtlik and Doug Partie, opens Olympic play July 26 against Japan.

“I’m happy to have everybody back,” Fortune said. “It’s a real positive move. We just need to play together a little more. I’ve been with this team for three years now, and this (Olympics) is what I’ve been waiting for.”