RIO DE JANEIRO -- Breezing to a three-set victory in their Olympic debut at home, the Brazilian women ran around the court perimeter slapping hands with any fans they could reach.Captain Fabiana and her teammates only wished they could have high-fived every single supporter inside Maracanazinho arena on Saturday to show their appreciation.I was emotional. Its very important because all of those fans are always showing their care to us, the four-time Olympian said after dispatching Cameroon 25-14, 25-21, 25-13. Its the least we could do and I want to compliment them for all of their support.Karch Kiralys top-ranked U.S. women also looked strong in their opener, topping Puerto Rico 25-17, 25-22, 25-17.Not that the Americans thought they were even close to consistent enough. Libero Kayla Banwarth said she was working out some first-night jitters.Its a good start, Kelly Murphy said. We have some areas we can improve on in order to achieve our ultimate goal throughout this tournament. You try as much as you can to tell yourself this is a normal volleyball game, just do what we always do, but sometimes you look up and you see the Olympic rings or you see the big crowd, but I think we do a good job of just coming together and doing what we do every day.Afterward, Murphy obliged a group of fans with selfies.New mom of two and 2012 U.S. Olympic star Destinee Hooker watched from North Carolina, and it hurt a little bit not to be here. She said she misses being part of the Americans close-knit roster, having given birth to her son this past spring after having a daughter post-London.Its not easy at all, she wrote in a text message. Wish them the best of luck.Earlier, the Netherlands pulled off the first upset of Day 1 by beating medal favorite and third-ranked China in five sets, 25-23, 21-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-13.It was Fabianas idea to thank the fans after the two-time defending Olympic champions got off to a winning start.Fernanda Rodrigues insists she and her teammates would be thrilled to thank everyone in the volleyball-crazed country if there was ever time. Constantly snapping selfies and signing autographs on the Olympic stage is no easy task.Even for the team that is chasing a third gold medal right at home, having beaten the Americans in the championship the past two Olympics -- and another title matchup already being forecast.Its so special. This is my first Olympic Games here and to see the people screaming and shouting for us is incredible, Gabriela Guimaraes said. I cant find the words in this moment.Cameroons Christelle Tchoudjang Nana didnt mind being the first opponent for the host team and its huge, animated crowd.Its OK, she said, smiling. Its a good moment. We played one of the best teams in the world.Fist-pumping Netherlands coach Giovanni Guidetti found himself apologizing afterward for being hoarse.For good reason, too.His upstart Dutch team, back in the Olympics for the first time in 20 years, surprised just about everyone.I have no voice after the first match. I dont know how I can keep going in the tournament, Guidetti joked.When the upset was in, the Dutch jumped and hugged. Netherlands outside hitter Celeste Plak lifted one staff member into the air in a celebratory embrace.This was really unbelievable, incredible, Plak said. This shows that we can fight if we are down. China is a very strong volleyball country. Our last success was in 1996 in volleyball. Now its our time to let people know we are Holland and we are back now.Next up for the Netherlands will be another tough pool-play opponent for the Dutch: A matchup with the Americans on Monday.American womens assistant Jamie Morrison coached a few of those Netherlands players on a club team in Turkey, so the performance wasnt a surprise to Kiraly.This group is truly gnarly, Kiraly said. Our six teams, every match from here on out is going to take all we have.The Dutch, too, know their daunting challenge is to get out of pool play.We want to make something extraordinary, not something ordinary, Guidetti said. Our fighting spirit today was the key that we won. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Chance-Warmack-Jersey/ . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Corey-Graham-Jersey/ . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Harold-Carmichael-Jersey/ . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Herman-Edwards-Jersey/ . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Nick-Foles-Jersey/ . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. PHOENIX -- Blaring dubstep beats and electronic music build like a massive wave barreling toward the shore, the students dropping lower and lower as Lil John shouts Higher! Higher!They hold position as the chorus of We hit turbulence! rings out, then spring into the air as if propelled by the bass drop. The beat shifts dramatically and they start bouncing in synch with it, arms waving, streamers flying, dancing like exploding kernels in an arena-sized popcorn machine .Welcome to college basketballs biggest dance party, hosted by Grand Canyons Havocs, who are quickly making a name for themselves as one of the nations best student sections.Youve got something special here, really special, Louisville coach Rick Pitino said after experiencing the Havoc of GCU Arena on Dec. 3. Whether we go to Duke, Kentucky, nothing was as tough as that environment tonight.Once on the verge of bankruptcy, Grand Canyon turned to a for-profit model in 2004 and later decided to make mens college basketball a cornerstone for its future.The private school made a big splash by hiring former Phoenix Suns player Dan Majerle as coach, and he has pushed the program to new heights each season as it heads toward full Division I status next year.The Havocs have risen with it.They were created in 2013-14 to be the rowdiest part of the student section then known as The Monsoon (havoc being the most destructive part of the storm).It was far from devastating; the Havocs barely filled the first two rows of the three student sections the first season.Then it started to spread: a few hundred the second season, over 1,000 last season and into full mayhem this year, more than 2,000 face-painted, costume-wearing Havocs dancing and shouting at every game.Its really has transcended into this culture on campus, said Brandon Kaiser, one of the original Havoc leaders. Its become bigger than just basketball and that was one of our goals, to create a community.A growing national identity has come with it.Nearly every coach who visits GCU Arena marvels at the pregame buildup, the choreographed dances, decibels that rival a Metallica concert.Pitino had a hard time calling plays in the huddle when GCU Arena was Havocking, and San Diiego State coach Steve Fisher had to ask for a timeout three times before the official heard him during a game last week.ddddddddddddIn college basketball, my 40-plus years, (that) was the toughest crowd Ive ever faced, Pitino said. Awesome.College basketball has its share of loud arenas: Dukes Cameron Indoor Stadium, Allen Fieldhouse in Kansas, Syracuses Carrier Dome, The Pit in New Mexico.None have the rave-like feel of GCU Arena when the Havocs are in full effect.In the early days, the Havocs had an intro song for running down the steps to fill their seats. Choreographed dances were added over the years, some created by Havoc leaders, others organically in the do-what-hes-doing fashion.The Havocs prepare for the show with a pregame party on the lawn outside GCU Arena, then gather behind a fence. The GCU band plays and the cheerleaders cheer to keep the Havocs entertained, then theyre released like a horse race that starts slow and turns into a sprint despite ushers shouting no running!Once in their seats, the Havocs are in full party mode, dancing to whatever song comes from the turned-up-a-couple-extra-notches loudspeakers.The choreography starts with the Purple Pre Game Party, when the students wave their arms above their heads like 2,000 rubber-antlered antelopes -- the team mascot -- to Vengaboys We Like to Party!The hype builds with the spring-loaded Turbulence and the intimidation factor ratchets up for opposing team introductions, when the Havocs bounce and point at the players to Springen by MAKJ.Another opportunity to get their groove on -- as if they need one -- comes at the under-12-minute media timeout, when a remix version of DHTs Listen to Your Heart blares across the arena and turns on the popcorn maker again.Theres not too many places like this in the country, Grand Canyon senior guard DeWayne Russell said. Every game, no matter who we play, they bring the energy. It pumps us up so much; we know every game theyre going to be rockin it.---More AP college basketball at http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25 Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
