text: BEIJING (AP) U.S. volleyball coach Jenny Lang Ping momentarily dropped the all-business demeanor she has had in Beijing when she considered whether her experience on the Chinese team would be an advantage for the United States when the two meet.
  Known as the "Iron Hammer" for her powerful spikes, Lang has appeared on her own postage stamp. When she married, it was on television.
  In Beijing, Lang has attracted scores of Chinese fans to the U.S. team's matches. She is always met with thunderous applause when she is announced. Crowds stay late just to see her leave the court, some snapping pictures and others pointing her out to their children.
  The United States is 2-1 in pool play, as is China. There are 12 women's teams competing in Beijing, divided into two pools. The top four teams will emerge from round-robin play into the quarterfinals - placing even more significance on Friday's match.
  The Chinese women, who won the gold medal in Athens and are considered one of the top teams in the Olympics, are coached by Chen Zhonghe, one of Lang's former assistants.
  The hosts, however, are coming off a draining loss to rival Cuba.
  The Americans also lost earlier in preliminary play to undefeated Cuba. Their trip to the Olympics has thus far been marked by tragedy.
  Before its opening match the team learned that an American fatally stabbed at a popular tourist spot in Beijing was Todd Bachman, the father of former volleyball Olympian Elisabeth "Wiz" Bachman McCutcheon.
  Bachman was with his wife, Barbara, and his daughter at the 13th century Drum Tower when he was attacked. Barbara Bachman suffered serious wounds and the assailant jumped from the tower to his death.