WOMEN
It's Cuba indoors, Brazil on the sand

Compiled by Globe Staff, 09/15/2000

WHEN: Indoor: Sept. 16 (vs. China), Sept. 17 (vs. Kenya), Sept. 20 (vs. Croatia), Sept. 22 (vs. Australia), Sept. 23 (vs. Brazil), Sept. 28 (semifinals), Sept. 29 (medals); Beach: Sept. 24 (final).

US ENTRIES: Robyn Ah Mow, Heather Bown, Tara Cross Battle, Annett Davis, Mickisha Hurley, Jennifer Johnson Jordan, Misty May, Holly McPeak, Sarah Noriega, Demetria Sance, Danielle Scott, Stacy Sykora, Charlene Tagaloa, Logan Tom, Kerri Walsh, Allison Weston.

FAVORITES: Indoor: 1. Cuba; 2. China; 3. Russia; Beach: 1. Adriana Behar-Shelda, Brazil; 2. Jordan-Davis; 3. McPeak-May.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The Cubans still tower over the planet. The battle is for third, between the Russians and Brazilians. No chance for the US, which finished at the bottom of the heap at the last world championships. On the beach, they won't beat the Brazilians, who went gold-silver in Atlanta. But after their 1996 shutout, the American teams of Jennifer Jordan-Annett Davis and Holly Mcpeak-Misty May claim the rest of the podium.

MEN
US no longer best on court or beach

WHEN: Indoor: Sept. 17 (vs. Argentina), Sept. 18 (vs. Russia), Sept. 20 (vs. Yugoslavia), Sept. 23 (vs. South Korea), Sept. 25 (vs. Italy), Sept. 29 (semifinals), Sept. 30 (medals); Beach: Sept. 25 (final).

US ENTRIES: Lloyd Ball, Kevin Barnett, Dain Blanton, Eric Fonoimoana, Rob Heidger, Tom Hoff, John Hyden, Mike Lambert, Dan Landry, Chip McCaw, Ryan Millar, Jeff Nygaard, George Roumain, Erik Sullivan, Andy Witt, Kevin Wong

FAVORITES: Indoor: 1. Italy; 2. Yugoslavia; 3. Cuba; Beach: 1. Emanuel-Loiola, Brazil; 2. Ze Marco-Ricardo, Brazil; 3. Paul Laciga-Martin Laciga, Switzerland.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The Italians rule the floor this time, with five others going for silver and bronze. Give Yugoslavia and Cuba the edge. The Americans, a deflated ninth in Atlanta, are better but still not a podium presence. On the beach, it's no longer the California state championships. The Brazilians own the sandbox now. After going 1-2 last time, the Yanks are blanked. Wong and Heidger are seeded seventh, while Blanton and Fonoimoana are ninth for the US.