BEIJING — The U.S. men's volleyball coach returned to his team and the Americans responded by defeating China in three games today at the Beijing Olympics.

Coach Hugh McCutcheon missed three games following an attack on his in-laws, who were visiting a Beijing tourist site.

The U.S. remained undefeated with the 25-22, 25-12 25-18 victory. The team already has clinched a quarterfinal spot. Clay Stanley, a Kaiser High and University of Hawai'i alum, led the United States with 12 kills, one block and one ace.

McCutcheon's father-in-law, Todd Bachman, was fatally stabbed in the attack one week ago. His mother-in-law, Barbara Bachman, was badly wounded. The Bachmans are the parents of McCutcheon's wife, former volleyball Olympian Elisabeth "Wiz" Bachman McCutcheon.

"I wouldn't have come back if I wasn't ready to come back," McCutcheon said after the victory over China. "It's what I do — get out on the sidelines and get the boys fired up."

McCutcheon said his mother-in-law inspired him from her hospital bed.

"One of the first times I saw her when she was awake in the ICU, she was asking me why I wasn't coaching the team," he said.

McCutcheon's coaching style remained consistent. He paced the sidelines with his arms folded or his hands on his hips. He clapped for his team after winning points.

"He's been a pillar of strength," libero Richard Lambourne said.

Barbara Bachman was airlifted from Beijing to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where she is listed in fair condition. Hospital officials said she was alert, talking and had good memory function.

McCutcheon's wife also returned home.

The Bachmans were in Beijing as part of a tour group for the Olympics, and their visit to the Drum Tower was part of their group's schedule. A Chinese tour guide also was wounded in the attack by the assailant, Tang Yongming, who leapt to his death from a balcony of the 13th-century tourist site.

Assistant Ron Larsen was interim head coach in McCutcheon's absence.

Today's match at Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium, the smaller of the two volleyball venues, drew a large crowd because of the host team. When McCutcheon was introduced before the match, clusters of American fans greeted him with a standing ovation.

During their games, the men wore "TB" and "BB" written on their shoes in honor of the Bachmans.

WOMEN'S WATER POLO

The Netherlands (1-2) plays Italy (2-0-1) at 9:40 p.m. today in the quarterfinals. Iefke Van Belkum, a former University of Hawai'i athlete, has four goals in three games for the Netherlands. Meike DeNooy, who will return to Manoa this year, has not played. The quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinals on Monday (Tuesday in Beijing).

SWIMMING

Punahou senior Christel Simms, completed her Olympics for the Philippines, finishing 47th out of 90 in the 50-meter freestyle heats yesterday in the National Aquatics Center. Simms finished in 26.64 seconds, just off her personal best of 26.31. The cutoff time for the top 16 advancing to the semifinals was 25.07. Cate Campbell of Australia led the heat qualifiers in 24.20. Simms also missed qualifying for the semifinals in the 100 freestyle earlier this week.

SOFTBALL

Former UH star pitcher Justine Smethurst allowed one run and four hits, struck out none and walked two in three innings for Australia (2-2) in a 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei (1-3) at Fengtai Softball Field. Third baseman Stacy Porter, another ex-UH standout, was 0 for 2 and scored a run.

WATER POLO

The United States (3-1) men defeated previously unbeaten Croatia (3-1), 7-5, today in a preliminary round match at Yingdong Natatorium. Tony Azevedo scored three goals for the U.S. Punahou alum Brandon Brooks, a backup goalie for the United States, did not play.