LONDON » The U.S. stunned the men’s volleyball world in the 2008 Olympics, streaking to its first gold medal in 20 years.

The only surprise this time was how quickly the U.S. was ousted.

Italy ended the U.S. Olympic run in the quarterfinals, 28-26, 25-20, 25-20, in a too-bad-to-be-true match Wednesday at Earls Court.

It was strange, accurate and a total reversal of what happened in Beijing, when Clay Stanley’s kill sent the U.S. into a celebratory frenzy.

Four years later, the U.S. earned the top seeding after preliminary play, but somehow never won a set after that.

Stanley, a Kaiser High and University of Hawaii alum, had 12 kills and no other U.S. player came very close to double figures. Reid Priddy, a holdover from the 2008 team, had only five kills.

"Our Olympics are over," said middle blocker David Lee, another veteran from 2008. "It’s a terrible time for us."

The U.S. seemed disjointed throughout the match, no play more indicative than a miscommunication early in the third set. Richard Lambourne dug a ball in the back, but Stanley and setter Donald Suxho each thought the other would set it. The ball fell to the court. Point, Italy.

Suxho sat on the bench for several minutes after the match, a towel draped over his head. Most of his teammates filed quickly into the locker room, a few stopping only to talk to reporters.

"It’s a huge disappointment. I thought we were going to be contending for a gold again," outside hitter Matt Anderson said.

Italy plays Brazil in a semifinal Friday, and Bulgaria plays Russia in the other match. The U.S. goes home, fully unable to recapture its run of four years ago.