U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team2012 Yearbook

NORCECA Olympic Qualifier - Gold Medal Pan American Cup - Gold Medal

FIVB World League - Silver Medal Olympic Games - Fifth Place

Ranked No. 5 in the World

USA Volleyball

3

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Fast Facts ................................................................................................................................................. 4-5

2012 U.S. Men’s Rosters .......................................................................................................................... 6-7

2012 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 8-9

2012 Season Review ............................................................................................................................ 10-12

2012 Players of the Year ........................................................................................................................... 13

2012 U.S. Men’s Statistics (sponsored by DataProject) .............................................................................. 14

Match Recaps for 2012 NORCECA Men’s Olympic Qualifier .................................................................. 16-25

Match Recaps for 2012 FIVB World League .......................................................................................... 26-57

Match Recaps from the 2012 Pan American Cup .................................................................................. 58-62

Team Photo for the 2012 Olympic Team.................................................................................................... 63

Match Recaps for 2012 Olympic Games ............................................................................................... 64-75

U.S. Men’s National Team Player Bios .................................................................................................. 76-97

U.S. Men’s National Team Staff Bios....................................................................................................98-101

All-Time Olympians .................................................................................................................................102

U.S. Men’s National Team All-Time Results Versus International Competition ..........................................103

International Volleyball Fact Sheet ...................................................................................................104-106

USA Volleyball Fact Sheet ........................................................................................................................107

Credits: The 2011 U.S. Men’s National Team World League Media Guide is a copyrighted publication produced by USA Volleyball.

Content: B.J. Hoeptner Evans, USA Volleyball Commmunications ManagerDesign assistance: Bill Kauffman, USA Volleyball Communications Senior Manager

USA Volleyball, 4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: (719) 228-6800 E-Mail: info@usav.org Web Site: www.usavolleyball.org

4

U.S. Men's Team Fast Facts

Headquarters: The American Sports Centers in Anaheim, Calif.Address 1500 Anaheim Blvd., Suite. 200, Anaheim, CA 92805Phone: (714) 917-3535Fax: (714) 917-3536Web site: USAVolleyball.orgWorld Ranking: Fifth2012 Record: 25-72011 Record: 26-152010 Record: 14-72009 Record: 16-6Head Coach (2009-12): Alan KnipeAssistant Coach (2009-12): Gary SatoTechnical Coordinator (2009-12): Chris JacksonAthletic Trainer: (2006-present): Aaron BrockMedia Inquiries: B.J. Hoeptner EvansPhone: (719) 228-6800E-mail: BJ.Evans@USAV.org

USA Volleyball Fast FactsCEO: Doug BealNational Office: 4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200Colorado Springs, CO 80907(719) 228-6800International Federation: The FIVB (Federa-tion Internationale de Volleyball — fivb.org)Regional Confederation: NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean — norceca.org)Sponsors: City of Anaheim, American Sports Centers, Mizuno, Molten, Data Project

Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a Colo-rado incorporated non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) as the National Governing Body for the sport of Volleyball in the United States. USAV is responsible for both the Olympic disciplines of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. USAV has more than 262,000 registered members, 12,000 teams and 5,300 clubs nationwide. With an annual budget in excess of $18 million dollars, USA Volley-ball supports the USA men’s and women’s senior national team programs, youth and junior national teams, national champi-onship events, coaching education and certification programs, grassroots develop-ment, and programs for the disabled and Paralympic Teams. USA Volleyball has a rich tradition of success.

USA Volleyball National Teams Center and The City of Anaheim

Since 2006, the City of Anaheim, Calif., has been proud to serve as the Official Host City for the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, followed by the Women’s Team in 2009. The teams train at the American Sports Centers. Anaheim is the 10th largest city in Califor-nia, and home to world class sports and entertainment such as Angels Baseball, the Anaheim Ducks, the LEED-certified Anaheim Convention Center, the largest convention center on the west coast, and the Disney-land Resort. For more information about the City’s commitment to USAV, please visit www.anaheim.net/usav.

2012 Results(includes all senior level men’s teams)

Argentina Exhibitions4-27: Won v Argentina, 3-1 4-29: Won v Argentina, 3-2

NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament

5-7: Won v Trinidad & Tobago, 3-05-8: Won v Costa Rica, 3-05-9: Won v Mexico, 3-05-11: Won v Cuba, 3-15-12: Won v Canada, 3-0

FIVB World League5-18: Loss v France, 3-15-19: Won v Korea, 3-25-20: Loss v Italy, 3-06-15: Won v Italy, 3-06-16: Won v Korea, 3-16-17: Won v France, 3-16-22: Won v Italy, 3-16-23: Won v France, 3-06-24: Won v Korea, 3-06-29: Won v Korea, 3-06-30: Loss v France, 3-27-1: Win v Italy, 3-27-5: Loss v Germany, 3-2 (Final round)7-6: Win v Bularia, 3-0 (Final round)7-7: Win v Cuba, 3-0 (Semifinal)7-8: Loss v Poland, 3-0 (Gold medal)

Pan American Cup7-9: Win v Venezuela, 3-07-10: Win v Mexico, 3-07-11: Win v Brazil, 3-17-13 Win v Dominican Republic, 3-2 (Semifinal)7-14: Win v Argentina, 3-0

Olympic Games7-29: Win v Serbia, 3-07-31: Win v Germany, 3-08-2: Win v Brazil, 3-18-4: Loss v Russia, 3-2 8-6: Win v Tunisia, 3-08-8: Loss v Italy, 3-0

5

Story ideas for the U.S. Men’s National Team

1. Setter Lloy Ball was a key force in the U.S. Men’s 2008 Olympic qualification and gold medal runs. Ball has since retired from the U.S. team and Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) has taken his place after leading the team to an Olympic berth at the 2012 NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament. Suxho was the backup on the 2004 Olympic Team, but tore his Achilles tendon during the run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games and did not make the team. Suxho’s backup is Briath Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) an athlete who kept playing even after being told numerous times that he was too short and not athletic enough to play volleyball after college.

2. Fatigue a Factor? Because there is no professional volleyball league in the United States, most players go overseas during the winter to play for club teams in countries that do have leagues. In 2012, many players returned from playing in league championship tournaments overseas and immediately started training for the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament. Less than a week after they won that tournament, they left for Italy to compete in World League. They made it to the World League Final Round and came away with the silver medal. The team got home from the Final Round in Bulgaria on July 9 and left for London on July 19.

3. Outside hitter Reid Priddy was hit in the face by a teammates elbow while coming down from a block during practice in August of 2011. A surgical team made an incision under his eyelid and used two titanium plates to piece the bones back together where they could. Another area was left to heal on its own. He came back from the injury to compete in the World Cup and was the U.S. team’s third leading scorer.

4. Priddy is also a master of volleyball promotion. He was responsible for the highly popular “Short Shorts” video on YouTube in 2008. He also has a very popular web site and is involved in an Internet radio program about volleyball called The NET Live along with former teammate Kevin Barnett and others.

5. Outside hitter Matt Anderson was the 2008 AVCA Co-Player of the Year (along with teammate Paul Lotman) as he led Penn State to the NCAA men’s volleyball championship. He left Penn State early to play professionally in Korea. While playing for the U.S. Men in World League during the summer of 2009, Anderson contracted a serious case of pneumonia. He was able to return to the team and later to Korea. But in January of 2010, his father died unexpectedly. Anderson had another rough season with the U.S. Men in 2010, but started to turn things around in 2011 and was one of the top players in Italy during the 2011-12 winter season.

6. David McKienzie beat out 2008 gold medalist Gabe Gardner to back up Clay Stanley at opposite. McKienzie just missed making the Olympic Team in 2004 and 2008. He stepped away from the U.S. team after 2008, but came back to help the team train for the 2011 FIVB World Cup. He didn’t make the World Cup team, but did make the team for the 2012 NORCECA Olympic Qualifier and then for the 2012 Olympic Team. McKienzie grew up in Colorado, where boys’ volleyball is not a high school sport. But his parents taught him the sport. Before he graduated from high school, he moved to California to live with his sister Joy, who was playing at Long Beach State University.

7. U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe is on hiatus from his job as head coach of the Long Beach State men’s volleyball team to coach the U.S. Men’s National Team. What has the experience been like for him and where does he plan to go from here? His first hire for assistant coach was Gary Sato, who has been involved with the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team for more than 20 years and is a member of a famous volleyball family. Among Knipe’s staff for the 2012 World League are Rob Browning (team leader), Ron Larsen (assistant coach) and John Speraw (assistant coach). All are top college coaches who were with the 2008 Olympic men’s volleyball team that won the gold medal.

8. Rich Lambourne has been the U.S. starting libero since 2005 and has been considered one of the best in the world. He played outside hitter at BYU and even won an NCAA National Championship there, but to play at the National Team level, he made the switch to defensive specialist. What have been the pros and cons of making the move?

U.S. Men's Team Fast Facts

2012 FIVB World Rankings - Final

1 Brazil 300.002 Russia 276.503 Italy 235.504 Poland 230.755 USA 203.006 Cuba 190.57 Serbia 155.008 Bulgaria 152.509 Argentina 144.0010 Germany 115.7511 Australia 63.0012 Tunisia 57.0013 Egypt 56.7514 Iran 53.0015 China 48.0016 France 47.7517 Cameroon 46.7518 Canada 46.0019 Japan 41.7520 Venezuela 40.0021 Puerto Rico 38.7522 Republic of Korea 35.7523 Mexico 33.7524 Czech Republic 32.0025 Algeria 27.5026 Colombia 26.7527 Slovakia 26.2528 Great Britain 24.7529 Spain 24.5030 India 21.7531 Finland 21.2532 Chile 20.5033 Trinidad & Tobago 17.0034 Morocco 16.7535 Republic of the Congo 14.0036 Slovenia 13.7537 Pakistan 13.0038 Portugal 12.7538 Estonia 12.7540 South Africa 12.5041 Netherlands 12.2541 Romania 12.2543 Costa Rica 12.0044 Belgium 11.7545 Panama 11.5045 Dominican Republic 11.5047 Botswana 11.0048 Turkey 10.5048 Thailand 10.5048 Kazakhstan 10.50

6

2012 U.S. Men's Rosters2012 NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification TournamentMay 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif.

1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State)5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)8. Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount)9. Ryan Millar (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Utah, BYU)10. Riley Salmon (OH, 6-6, League City, Texas, Pierce College)11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)13. Clay Stanley (Opp, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii)19. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State)

Head Coach: Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa)

2012 FIVB World League Long ListMay 18-July 1 at various sites

1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)2. Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine)3. Evan Patak (Opp, 6-8, Pleasanton, Calif., UC Santa Barbara)4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State)5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)8. Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount)9. Ryan Millar (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Utah, BYU)10. Riley Salmon (L, 6-6, League City, Texas, Pierce College)11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)13. Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii)14. Kevin Hansen (S, 6-5, Newport Beach, Calif., Stanford)15. Gabe Gardner (Opp, 6-8, San Clemente, Calif., Stanford)16. Jayson Jablonsky (OH, 6-5, Yorba Linda, Calif., UC Irvine)17. Max Holt (MB, 6-9, Cincinnati, Ohio, Penn State)18. Scott Touzinsky (OH, 6-6, St. Louis, Mo., Long Beach State)19. Robert Tarr (OH, 6-6, Cape Canaveral, Fla., Long Beach State)20. David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)21. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State)22. Taylor Sander (OH, 6-4, Huntington Beach, Calif., BYU)23. Jeff Menzel (OH, 6-6, Santa Barbara, Calif., UC Santa Barbara)24. Kawika Shoji (S, 6-3, Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanford)

25. Jonathan Winder (S, 6-8, Irvine, Calif., Pepperdine)

Head Coach: Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa)

U.S. World League 14-Player Roster for May 18-20 in Florence, Italy 1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State) 2. Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine) 4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State) 5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU) 6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State) 7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC) 8. Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount) 9. Ryan Millar (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Utah, BYU) 10. Riley Salmon (L, 6-6, League City, Texas, Pierce College) 11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine) 12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU) 13. Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii) 15. Gabe Gardner (Opp, 6-8, San Clemente, Calif., Stanford) 21. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State) Head Coach: Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa)

U.S. World League 14-Player Roster for June 15-17 in Lyon, France 1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)2. Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine) 4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State) 5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)9. Ryan Millar (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Utah, BYU)11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)13. Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii)15. Gabe Gardner (Opp, 6-8, San Clemente, Calif., Stanford)16. Jayson Jablonsky (OH, 6-5, Yorba Linda, Calif., UC Irvine)20. David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)21. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State)

7

2012 U.S. Men's Rosters Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Mike Sealy (Santa Monica, Calif.)Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa)

U.S. World League 14-Player Roster for June 22-24 in Gwangju, Korea 1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)2. Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine) 4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State) 5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)8. Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount)11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)13. Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii)15. Gabe Gardner (Opp, 6-8, San Clemente, Calif., Stanford)17. Max Holt (MB, 6-9, Cincinnati, Ohio, Penn State)20. David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)21. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State) Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa) U.S. World LEague 14-Player Roster for June 29-July 1 in Dallas, Texas

1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)2. Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine) 4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State)5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)8. Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount) 10. Riley Salmon (L, 6-6, League City, Texas, Pierce College) 11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)13. Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii) 16. Jayson Jablonsky (OH, 6-5, Yorba Linda, Calif., UC Irvine) 20. David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)21. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State)

Head Coach: Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.)Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Mike Sealy (Santa Monica, Calif.)Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa)

2012 World League Final RoundJuly 4-8 in Sofia, Bulgaria

1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)2. Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine)4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State)5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)8. Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount)11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)13. Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii)20. David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)21. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State)

Head Coach: Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.)Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)

Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa)

2012 Pan American CupJuly 9-14 in Santo Dominco, Dominican Republic

1 Dylan Davis (MB, 6-9, Corona Del Mar, Calif., UC Santa Barbara)2 Matt Rawson (MB, 6-7, Los Angeles, Hawaii)4 Carson Clark (Opp, 6-5, Santa Barbara, Calif., UC Irvine)5 Garrett Muagututia (OH, 6-5, Oceanside, Calif., UCLA)6 Murphy Troy (Opp, 6-8, St. Louis, Mo., USC)7 Jordan Dufault (OH, 6-4, Lakewood, Calif., UC Irvine)9 Daniel McDonnell (MB, 6-6, Glendale, Ariz., UC Irvine)12 Tony Ciarelli (OH, 6-6, Huntington Beach, Calif., USC)13 Ryan Ammerman (S, 6-8, Parker, Colo., UC Irvine)14 Dustin Watten (L, 6-0, Long Beach, Calif., Long Beach State)22 Taylor Sander (OH, 6-4, Huntington Beach, Calif., BYU)24 Kawika Shoji (S, 6-3, Honolulu, Stanford)

Head Coach: Shawn PatchellAssistant Coach: Tim JohnsonTeam Manager: Nicholas MacRaeAthletic Trainer: Chad Eichten

2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball TeamJuly 28-Aug. 12 in London, England

1. Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)2. Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine)4. David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State)5. Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)6. Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)7. Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)8. Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount)11. Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)12. Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)13. Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii)20. David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)21. David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State)

Head Coach: Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.)Team Manager: Rob Browning (Newport Beach, Calif.)Assistant Coach: John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.)Assistant Coach: Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.)Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) Medical Support: Aaron Brock (Storm Lake, Iowa)Scout Coach: Andy Read (Garden Grove, Calif.)Scout Coach: Mike Sealy (Santa Monica, Calif.)

Replacement Players for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team

3. Evan Patak (Opp, 6-8, Pleasanton, Calif., UC Santa Barbara)9. Ryan Millar (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Utah, BYU)10. Riley Salmon (L, 6-6, League City, Texas, Pierce College)14. Kevin Hansen (S, 6-5, Newport Beach, Calif., Stanford)15. Gabe Gardner (Opp, 6-8, San Clemente, Calif., Stanford)16. Jayson Jablonsky (OH, 6-5, Yorba Linda, Calif., UC Irvine)17. Max Holt (MB, 6-9, Cincinnati, Ohio, Penn State)25. Jonathan Winder (S, 6-8, Irvine, Calif., Pepperdine)

8

FIVB World League

Date Opponent (Record) Result City Points Leader Attendance5/18 France (5-1) L (17-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-17) Florence, Italy Stanley (18) 2,1005/19 Korea (6-1) W (20-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23,

17-15)Florence, Italy Priddy (19) 5,100

5/20 Italy (6-2) L (25-16, 25-20, 25-16) Florence, Italy Holmes/Stanley/ Anderson (8) 6,2006/15 Italy (7-2) W (30-28, 28-26, 25-22) Lyon, France Anderson (17) 9006/16 Korea (8-2) W (22-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-16) Lyon, France Anderson (21) 1,160

6/17 France (9-2) W (20-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-21) Lyon, France Rooney (21) 1,200

6/22 France (10-2) W (22-25, 25-21, 29-27, 25-16) Gwangju, Korea Anderson (21) 8306/23 Italy (11-2) W (25-21, 25-21, 25-20) Gwangju, Korea Rooney/Holmes/ Stanley (12) 4506/24 Korea (12-2) W (25-20, 25-18, 25-18) Gwangju, Korea Anderson/Priddy (13) 4,9506/29 Korea (13-2) W (32-30, 26-24, 25-22) Dallas, Texas Stanley/Anderson (19) 2,0286/30 France (13-3) L (25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23,

15-13)Dallas, Texas Anderson (17) 3,853

7/1 Italy (14-3) W (26-28, 25-20, 24-26, 25-17, 15-10)

Dallas, Texas Stanley (26) 5,139

7/5 Germany (14-4) L (20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 16-14)

Sofia, Bulgaria Stanley (23) 3,000

7/6 Bulgaria (15-4) W (25-21, 25-16, 25-17) Sofia, Bulgaria Anderson/Rooney (16) 10,5007/7 Cuba (16-4) W (25-23, 25-22, 25-23) Sofia, Bulgaria Stanley (18) 4,0007/8 Poland (16-5) L (25-17, 26-24, 25-20) Sofia, Bulgaria Stanley (15) 5,000

Final Standings: 1. Poland, 2. USA, 3. Cuba, 4. Bulgaria, 5. Germany, 6. Brazil, 7. France, 8. Russia, 9. Serbia, 10. Argentina, 11. Italy, 12. Canada, 13 Finland, 14. Korea, 15. Japan, 16. Portugal

NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournamentat the Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif.

Date Opponent (Record) Result Points Leader Attendance5/7 Trinidad & Tobago (1-0) W (25-9, 25-10, 25-14 Anderson/Lee (9) 1,3255/8 Costa Rica (2-0) W (25-14, 25-9, 25-9) McKienzie (10) 1,2005/9 Mexico (3-0) W (25-23, 25-19, 25-14) Stanley (14) 1,5505/10 Cuba (4-0) W (28-26, 25-18, 25-20) Anderson (24) 3,0005/11 Canada (5-0) W (28-26, 25-18, 25-20) Stanley (15) 4,700

Final Standings: 1. USA, 2. Canada, 3. Cuba, 4. Puerto Rico, 5. Mexico, 6. Dominican Republic, 7. Trinidad & Tobago, 8. Costa Rica

2012 U.S. Men's Results

9

Pan American Cup Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Date Opponent (Record) Result Points Leader Attendance7/9 Venezuela (17-5) W (25-17, 25-19, 25-12) Sander/McDonnell (12) 2007/10 Mexico (18-5) W (25-8, 25-16, 25-18) Troy (14) 757/11 Brazil (19-5) W (22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22) Sander (23) 3007/13 Dominican Republic (20-5) W (25-21, 23-25, 25-22. 25-27, 15-12) Sander (23) 8007/14 Argentina (21-5) W (29-27, 25-20, 25-11) Clark (18) 400

Final Standings: 1. USA, 2. Argentina, 3. Dominican Republic, 4. Brazil, 5. Mexico, 6. Canada, 7. Venezuela, 8. Trinidad & Tobago

Date Opponent (Record) Result Points Leader Attendance7/29 Serbia (22-5) W (25-17, 25-22, 25-21) Anderson 16 12,0007/31 Germany (23-5) W (25-23, 25-16, 25-20) Stanley 16 13,0008/2 Brazil (24-5) W (23-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-17) Priddy 20 11,5008/4 Russia (24-6) L (27-29, 19-25, 26-24, 25-16, 15-8) Anderson 18 13,6508/6 Tunisia (25-6) W (25-15, 25-19, 25-19) McKienzie 17 11,0008/8 Italy (25-7) L (28-26, 25-20, 25-20) Stanley 17 14,000

Final Standings: 1. Russia, 2. Brazil, 3. Italy, 4. Bulgaria, 5T. USA, Argentina, Germany, Poland, 9T. Australia, Serbia, 11T. Great Britain, Tunisia

Olympic GamesLondon

2012 U.S. Men's Results

10

The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team saved the best for last, putting together its best season of the 2009-12 quadrennial in 2012. But would it be good enough to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games and defend the Olympic gold medal it won in 2008?

The U.S. Men’s Team started the 2012 season under pressure after finishing sixth at the 2011 FIVB World Cup and not qualifying for the London Olympic Games.

The U.S. Men knew their next best chance to qualify would be at the 2012 NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament. But they also knew they would have to beat Cuba, the team they had lost to in the final of the 2011 NORCECA Continental Championship, among others in order to qualify.

The U.S. Men got good news in February when it was announced that Puerto Rico could not host the NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament and it was awarded to the United States. Moreover, it would be held at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif., about a 20-minute drive from the team’s headquarters at the American Sports Centers in Anaheim

More good news came when the team’s starting opposite and captain Clay Stanley, the 2008 Olympic Games Most Valuable Player, made it clear that he was almost fully recovered from offseason knee surgery and would be able to play in the tournament.

The U.S. Men played two preseason exhibition matches against a split squad of Argentina’s national team in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and won both, 3-1 and 3-2.

The NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament began May 7 and the U.S. Men had an easy time in pool play, defeating Trinidad & Tobago (25-9, 25-10, 25-14) , Costa Rica (25-14, 25-9, 25-9) and Mexico (25-23, 25-19, 25-14) without dropping a set.

In the semifinals, the U.S. Men were somewhat surprised to find themselves playing Cuba, which had lost to Canada in pool play and finished second. Cuba defeated Trinidad & Tobago in the quarterfinals and advanced to play the United States in the semis.

After losing a close first set, the U.S. Men won the next three, led by outside hitter Matt Anderson’s 24 points, to win the match and advance to the final against Canada.

“I don’t know what happened in the first set. Cuba put some pressure on us, but I am really proud of my team,” Stanley said after the match. “Matt Anderson served his butt off tonight and he played great offense. Russell Holmes did a great job. We passed the ball pretty good. As

a team we played an all-around good match.”

A crowd of 4,700 turned out for the May 12 final, which would determine an Olympic berth. After losing a tough first set, Canada struggled to find its rhythm and the U.S. Men cruised to a 28-26, 25-18, 25-20 victory.

Stanley led the United States with 15 points as his team used a

balanced offense to win.

Stanley was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Anderson won best spiker. U.S. middle blocker David Lee was named best blocker.

“Now we can prepare for teams qualified for the Olympics and not just teams trying to qualify,” U.S. Men’s Head Coach Alan Knipe said. “And we can prepare our guys. We only had eight practices to prepare for this tournament and team did a great job.”

With little time to rest, the team traveled to Italy for the first round of FIVB World League on May 18-20. Because of the 2012 Olympic Games, World League used a different format. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the World League Intercontinental (pool play) Round, still featured 16 teams across four pools, but it was played over

2012 Season Review

11

four weekends with each country hosting all four teams in their respective pool on one weekend each.

The four pool winners, plus the best second-place team and host Bulgaria qualified for the Final Round.

The first World League weekend was rough as the U.S. Men fell to France (17-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-17), needed five sets to defeat Korea (20-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 17-15) and lost 3-0 to host Italy (25-16, 25-20, 25-16).

Knipe admitted that fatigue could have been a factor in the team’s poor performance.

“I think it was hard for the guys to stay so focused for so many weeks in a row,” he said. “But we still could have played much better than we did.”

The team then had three weeks off from World League competition while other Olympic qualifying tournaments were played. It traveled to Lyon, France for the next World League weekend on June 15-17.

Knipe did not travel with the team as he dealt with a family emergency. John Speraw filled in along with assistant coaches Gary Sato and Ron Larsen and helped the team go 3-0 in France with victories over Italy (30-28, 28-26, 25-22), Korea (22-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-16) and France (20-25, 25-

22, 25-19, 25-21). The U.S. Men left Lyon with the lead in the pool.

“For us to win our three games is very positive,” U.S. opposite and team captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) said. “We put together a good game plan. We are happy about the way we played. We were consistent throughout these three matches so that’s the best thing that we could ask for.”

The team traveled straight from France to Gwangju, Korea where Speraw again served as head coach and helped the U.S. Men win all three matches against Italy (22-25, 25-21, 29-27, 25-16), France (25-21, 25-21, 25-20) and Korea (25-20, 25-18, 25-18). Team USA left Korea with a 7-2 record and the lead in the pool. But it still needed to win two matches when it hosted World League in Dallas on June 29-July 1.

“We are in the process of deciding our final 12 players for London,” said Knipe, who rejoined the team in Dallas. “These World League matches are an important part of that.

“We are also continuing to fine-tune our game plan for London.”

The U.S. Men got off to a good start in Dallas by sweeping Korea 32-30, 26-24, 25-22. But it stumbled in its second match, falling to France 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13.

Things did not look good in the match against Italy as the U.S. Men fell behind 2-1 in sets and were trailing 8-6 in the fourth. The team used a 4-0 run to pull ahead and went on to win the match 26-28, 25-20, 24-26, 25-17, 15-10.

“It was a great effort by our team, especially players who came off the bench: Dave Smith, Sean Rooney,” Stanley said. “We have been trying not to get down in matches and keep our heads up; keep pushing, keep going.”

2012 Season Review

12

The U.S. Men traveled straight from Dallas to Sofia, Bulgaria for the Final Round on July 4-8. They opened with a five-set loss to Germany, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 16-14. But a three-set victory over Bulgaria the next night (25-21, 25-16, 25-17) gave the U.S. Men to pool victory. They advanced to the semifinals where they defeated their NORCECA foe Cuba, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23.

In the final, the U.S. Men lost to Poland, 25-17, 26-24, 25-20. The team won $500,000 for second place and won its first World League medal since it won the title in 2008.

“In the beginning of World League, I didn’t think we’d be in this position,” said Stanley, who won the Best Server award for the Final Round. “I thought our team improved each weekend. We did a lot of great things to get to this final, although I’m disappointed in how we showed up to play tonight.”

It was the first time that the U.S. Men have medaled in World League in the same year that the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team has medaled in the FIVB Grand Prix. The U.S. Women won the Grand Prix on July 1.

“I’m disappointed in the way we played tonight,” Knipe said. “But a lot of really good things have come out in the last few weeks. These were important matches for us. We wanted to reach the final and experience these matches and build toward the Olympic Games.”

The U.S. Men returned to Anaheim for their final training block before the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where it hoped to become the first country to win the men’s volleyball gold medal four times.

During the break, the U.S. Men’s A2 Team won the Pan American Cup, defeating Argentina in the final.

The Olympic men’s volleyball tournament, which was played at Earls Court in London, began with pool play on July 29 as the U.S. Men easily handled Serbia, 25-16, 25-22, 25-21. They followed that with a victory over Germany on July 31, 25-23, 25-16, 25-20.

On Aug. 2, the U.S. Men defeated world No. 1 and top-ranked Brazil, 23-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-17 and took the lead in Pool B.

“It was an important match,” setter Donald Suxho said. “We worked hard and got better by sticking together and trusting each other more. (Brazil) is the best team in the world. The first set it was

all them and we had to adapt and change for the second set.”

Team USA suffered its first loss of the 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 4 when it fell to Russia, 27-29, 19-25, 26-24, 25-16, 15-8 after holding a match point in the third set.

“I think (Russia) made some changes to their personnel and they started to serve really aggressively,” middle blocker David Lee said. “They put us in a bad position where we couldn’t side out and we couldn’t run our offense.”

Despite the loss, the U.S. Men still led Pool B and won the pool with a 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 victory over Tunisia on Aug. 6. U.S. opposite David McKienzie got his first Olympic Games start in the tournament and led the team with 17 points with 14 kills on 25 attacks, two aces and a block.

The U.S. Men advanced to the quarterfinals, where they found themselves playing their old World League foe, Italy, which had finished fourth in Pool A where it went 3-2. The matchup proved to be a bad one for Team USA, which ended its season with a 28-26, 25-20, 25-20 loss to Italy on Aug. 8.

“It was frustrating for us,” Knipe said. “When we look back at this we will see we had lots of opportunities to win the first set. We came in with a really good game plan and when we were in our game plan and executing it, we were winning points.”

The U.S. Men finished the tournament tied for fifth.

After the season, most of the U.S. athletes went to play on international teams. Knipe returned to his position as head coach of the men’s volleyball team at Long Beach State University.

2012 U.S. Men's Season Review

13

Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) has been named the USA Volleyball Indoor Male Athlete of the Year for 2012, while setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) has been selected as USA Volleyball’s Most Improved Player in the indoor male athlete category.

At 25, Anderson was the youngest player on the U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team and finished the 2012 season as the team’s leading scorer with 393 points on a team-leading 326 kills, 42 blocks and 25 aces (second highest on team). Anderson started 96 out of the 97 sets for the U.S. Men. His kill percent was 50.7 and his hitting efficiency was .440.

“My success this season with the National Team came from the realization of the trust my teammates and coaches had in me,” Anderson said via e-mail from Russia where he is playing

for Zenit Kazan in the Super League. “In training we created an atmosphere of the best volleyball and it was tough to differentiate between training and big-time matches.”

Anderson started all 21 sets of the Olympic Games in London and was the team’s leading scorer with 81 points on 69 kills (.390 hitting efficiency), six aces and six blocks. His tournament best was 18 points (16 attacks, one block and one ace) scored in 3-2, pool play loss to Russia. The U.S. Men finished fifth in London.

“The highlight of my 2012 season was being a part of the 2012 Olympic Games,” Anderson said. “There is no words to describe the honor I received being able to walk with the team in Opening Ceremonies, and then to compete on the world’s biggest stage for my country, the USA. The low point is leaving the Olympics knowing we could have accomplished more as a team.”

Anderson played in all 60 FIVB World League sets in which the U.S. Men competed and was the team’s leading scorer. He finished with 248 points on a team-leading 205 kills, 32 blocks and 11 aces. He was fifth among all World League scorers at the end of pool play. His tournament high was 21 points scored against Korea on June 16.

Anderson was named “Best Spiker” at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament on May 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif., as the U.S. Men qualified for the Olympic Games. He played in 15 out of 16 sets and was the team’s leading scorer, finishing with 64 points on 52 kills, four blocks, and eight aces. His hitting efficiency was .585 and he scored a tournament-high 24 points against Cuba.

“My sights are already set on (the Olympic Games in) Rio 2016,” Anderson said. “If I’m lucky enough to make that squad, I don’t want to go home from those Games without a medal, hopefully gold.”

Suxho, 36, went into the 2012 season not knowing for sure if he would be the team’s starting setter, as he had to battle Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) and Kevin Hansen (Newport Beach, Calif.) for the slot. Suxho ended up playing in 92 of 115 sets in which the U.S. Men competed. He helped the team to a season kill percentage of 45.4 and a hitting efficiency of .375. He also finished the season with 46 points on 18 kills, 24 blocks and four aces. He was credited with 128 digs (1.39 per set) and 705 running sets (7.67 per set).

“I am extremely thankful to the USA Volleyball organization, the USA coaching staff and the medical staff for training and helping me,” Suxho said via e-mail from Argentina where he is playing for Drean Bolívar. “I also want to thank my teammates for trusting me.”

Suxho finished second in the Best Setter category at the 2012 Olympic Games in London where he was credited with 213 running sets (10.65 per set). He started 20 out of 21 sets and scored 10 points on three kills, six blocks and one ace.

“The highlight of my season was winning our group at the Olympics,” Suxho said. “The low point was losing to Italy in the quarterfinals. It was like a stab in the heart.”

Suxho played in 57 out of 60 FIVB World League sets for the U.S. Men, scoring 29 points on 14 kills and 15 blocks, including highs of five points against France in France (four kills, one block) and against France in Dallas (one kill, four blocks).

He finished first in the Best Setter category in pool play with 331 running sets (5.81 per set) and finished second among all setters in the Final Round with 74 running sets (5.29 per set).

He started 15 out of 16 sets for the U.S. Men at the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament.

He finished with seven points on one kills, three blocks and three aces and was credited with 87 running sets (5.44 per set).

“My goals are to continue to improve my game, stay healthy and win gold in Rio,” Suxho said.

2012 Players of the Year

14

Name  Sets  Kills  Kills/set  Kill pct Hit errors  Attempts  Efficiency  Aces  Aces/set  Blocks  Blocks/set  Digs  Digs/set  Points  Points/set 

Ryan Ammerman  4  1  0.25  100.0  0  1  1.000  0  0.00  0  0.00  0  0.00  1  0.25 

Matt Anderson  96  326  3.40  50.7  43  643  0.440  25  0.26  42  0.44  103  1.07  393  4.09 

Tony Ciarelli  15  44  2.93  61.1  6  72  0.528  6  0.4  1  0.07  11  0.00  51  3.40 

Carson Clark  12  38  3.17  50.0  2  76  0.474  3  0.25  0  0.00  14  1.17  41  3.42 

Dylan Davis  15  26  1.73  70.3  3  37  0.622  0  0.00  8  0.53  1  0.07  34  2.27 

Jordan Dufault  10  5  0.50  71.4  0  7  0.714  0  0.00  0  0.00  3  0.30  5  0.50 

Gabe Gardner  7  7  1.00  53.8  1  13  0.462  0  0.00  0  0.00  2  0.30  7  1.00 

Russell Holmes  83  120  1.45  60.3  12  199  0.543  12  0.14  69  0.83  19  0.23  201  2.42 

Rich Lambourne  97  0  0.00  00.0  0  0  0.000  0  0.00  0  0.00  144  1.48  0  0.00 

David Lee  73  116  1.59  64.8  12  179  0.581  10  0.14  48  0.66  2  0.03  174  2.38 

Paul Lotman  56  17  0.30  41.5  3  41  0.341  6  0.11  1  0.02  13  0.23  24  0.43 

Dan McDonnell  10  8  0.80  36.6  1  22  0.318  7  0.70  6  0.60  3  0.30  21  2.10 

David McKienzie  65  46  0.71  59.7  10  77  0.468  14  0.22  4  0.06  18  0.28  64  0.98 

Ryan Millar  24  22  0.92  66.7  4  33  0.545  0  0.00  6  0.25  8  0.33  28  1.17 

Garrett Muagututia  6  17  2.83  48.6  1  35  0.457  1  0.17  0  0.00  7  1.17  18  3.00 

Reid Priddy  66  146  2.21  40.7  23  359  0.343  18  0.27  32  0.48  74  1.12  196  2.97 

Matt Rawson  17  17  1.00  65.4  0  26  0.654  0  0.00  18  1.06  3  0.18  35  2.06 

Sean Rooney  37  102  2.76  48.1  10  212  0.434  7  0.19  23  0.62  48  1.30  132  3.57 

Riley Salmon  12  5  0.42  35.7  1  14  0.286  0  0.00  0  0.00  5  0.42  5  0.42 

Taylor Sander  17  65  3.82  60.2  10  108  0.509  9  0.53  4  0.24  16  0.94  78  4.59 

Kawika Shoji  18  2  0.11  100.0  0  2  1.000  4  0.22  2  0.11  5  0.00  8  0.44 

David Smith  47  48  1.02  64.0  1  75  0.627  7  0.15  20  0.43  13  0.28  75  1.60 

Clay Stanley  87  269  3.09  50.3  27  535  0.452  40  0.46  49  0.56  87  1.00  358  4.11 

Donald Suxho  92  18  0.20  43.9  5  41  0.317  4  0.04  24  0.26  128  1.39  46  0.50 

Brian Thornton  11  1  0.09  33.3  1  3  0.000  0  0.00  2  0.18  7  0.64  3  0.27 

Murphy Troy  14  37  2.64  78.7  5  47  0.681  7  0.50  2  0.14  6  0.43  46  3.29 

Dustin Watten  18  0  0.00  00.0  0  0  0.000  0  0.00  0  0.00  45  2.50  0  0 

115  1503  13.07  52.6  181  2857  0.463  180  1.57  361  3.14  785  6.83  2044  17.77 

Opponents  115  1421  12.36  45.4  247  3127  0.375  134  1.17  195  1.70  802  6.97  1750  15.22  

DataVolley statistics based on the following 2012 events: NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Touranment, FIVB World League, Pan American Cup and the Olympic Games.

Setting Statistics based on the following 2012 events as determined by the FIVB and NORCECA: NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Touranment, FIVB World League, Pan American Cup and the Olympic Games.

Name Sets Running Faults Total Running Sets Played Sets Attempts Per Set

Donald Suxho 92 705 16 1,829 7.66 Brian Thornton 11 57 0 144 5.18 Kawika Shoji 18 55 1 391 3.06 Ryan Ammerman 4 1 1 15 0.25

2012 U.S. Men's Season Review

15

All photos on this page by Matt Brown for USAV

16

U.S. Men Top Trinidad & Tobago to Open Qualifier

LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 7, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team had little trouble winning their first match of the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament as they swept Trinidad & Tobago on Monday, 25-9, 25-10, 25-14 at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

The winner of the eight-team tournament will qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The U.S. Men open tournament pool play with a 1-0 record and will play Costa Rica (0-1) at 8 p.m. PT on Tuesday. Trinidad & Tobago will play Mexico at 3 p.m. PT.

The U.S. dominated Trinidad & Tobago, leading 12-0 in aces, 7-2 in blocks and 33-14 in attacks.

“It was our first match,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “I thought it was important that we play with the right mentality and a good sense of urgency.”

U.S. middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) led all scorers on Monday with 11 points on a match-high eight attacks (72.7 kill percent, .636 hitting efficiency), two blocks and one ace.

Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added nine points on six attacks, one block and two aces. Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.), who started only the third set, totaled seven points on five kills and two aces.

Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) finished with six points on two kills, one block and a match-high three aces. Opposite and team captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) totaled six points on six attacks.

“We did a great job behind the service line,” Stanley said. “Our block was good and it put a lot of pressure on Trinidad.”

Opposite Dave McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) scored five points on four kills and one ace. Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) finished with four points on two blocks and two aces. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) added three points on one kill, one block and one ace.

Middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) finished with one point on one attack.

Suxho set the U.S. Men to a 67.3 kill percent and a .571 hitting efficiency.

Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led in digs with 11 and was credited with four excellent serve receptions. Anderson led the team in excellent receptions with eight.

Trinidad team captain Nolan Tash paced the Caribbean team with six points on six attacks.

U.S. Men’s Head Coach Alan Knipe started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Lee and Millar at middle blocker, Suxho at setter, Stanley at opposite and Lambourne at libero.

1 2 3USA 25 25 25TRI 9 10 14

Matt Anderson digs the Molten as Reid Priddy (8) and Rich Lambourne watch. (USAV/Matt Brown)

Russell Holmes attacks from the middle against Trinidad & Tobago. (USAV/Matt Brown)

The U.S. Men salute the flag. (USAV/Matt Brown)

17 Donald Suxho (7) sets for the U.S. in front of Trini-dad’s block. (Matt A. Brown)

Donald Suxho (7) sets against the block of Trinidad & Tobago (USAV/Matt Brown)

18

U.S. Men Cruise Past Costa Rica at Qualifier

LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 8, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team coasted past Costa Rica, 25-14, 25-9, 25-9 on Tuesday at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif.

The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The U.S. Men improved to 2-0 in pool play. They will try to secure the pool victory on Wednesday when they play Mexico (2-0) at 8 p.m. PT at the Pyramid. Costa Rica (0-2) will play Trinidad & Tobago (0-2) at 3 p.m. PT.

The U.S. Men dominated the match, leading in kills, 38-18, in blocks, 8-2 and in aces, 11-0.

“We subbed a little more freely tonight and the guys did a good job keeping their focus,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “We stressed a lot about continued pressure on the end line.”

U.S. opposite David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) led all scorers with 10 points on a match-high eight kills (80.0 kill percent, .700 hitting efficiency) and two aces. Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) added eight points on three attacks (75.0 kill percent, .750 hitting efficiency), a match-high three blocks and two aces.

“I thought our team controlled the game behind the service line,” Stanley said. “We had a pretty nice control block giving them pressure and having it hard (for Costa Rica) to side out.”

Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) totaled seven points on four kills and a match-high three aces. Middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) added seven points on five attacks and two blocks.

Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) scored six points on six attacks. Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) totaled five points on three kills, one block and one ace. Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) scored five points on three attacks and two aces. Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) added five points on three kills and two blocks.

Outside hitter Riley Salmon (League City, Texas) contributed three points on three attacks and setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) scored a point with a kill. Setters Suxho and Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) combined to help the U.S. Men to a 69.1 kill percent and a .600 hitting efficiency.

Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) had six of the United States’ 26 digs while Suxho had five. Lambourne was also credited with 12 excellent receptions.

Knipe started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Lee and Millar at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Lambourne at libero.

Holmes started the second and third sets for Lee. Lotman started the third set for Priddy. Thornton started the third set for Suxho. McKienzie started the third set for Stanley.

1 2 3USA 25 25 25CRC 14 9 9

Clay Stanley (13), Russell Holmes and Matt Anderson (1) block against Costa Rica. (USAV/Matt Brown)

Matt Anderson (1) hits against Costa Rica. (USAV/Matt Brown)

Dave McKienzie celebrates dur-

ing the match against Costa Rica. (USAV/Matt Brown)

19Brian Thornton receives the Molten. (USAV/Matt Brown)

20

U.S. Men to Play Cuba in Semifinals

LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 9, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team will advance to the semifinals of the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament after beating Mexico on Wednesday, 25-23, 25-19, 25-14.

The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The U.S. Men won their pool with a 3-0 record and will await their opponent for Friday‘s semifinal. Mexico (2-1) will play Puerto Rico (1-2) in one of Thursday’s quarterfinals while Cuba (2-1) will play Trinidad & Tobago (1-2) in the other.

Canada (3-0), which scored an upset over Cuba in their final pool play match on Wednesday, will play in the other semifinal on Friday.

The U.S. Men got off to a slow start on Wednesday, but accelerated and finished the match leading Mexico in kills (40-31), blocks (8-4) and aces (6-3).

“I would like to congratulate Mexico for coming out ready to play,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “They put pressure on us early and often. We haven’t allowed teams to earn many points that teams don’t earn. I think we have room for improvement and things on video we can clean up on our day off tomorrow.”

U.S. opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) led all scorers with 14 points on 10 kills (58.8 kill percent, , three blocks and one ace.

“Mexico did a great job,” Stanley said. “They are really scrappy and made a lot of great plays. We made a lot of little plays in the beginning that kept the game close especially in the first set with over passes and free balls. In the third set we opened that set up with service to put them in trouble spots.”

Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added 12 points on 10 attacks and two aces. Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) totaled 10 points on nine attacks and one block.

Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) added seven points on four attacks and three blocks. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) scored six points on six kills.

Middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) scored two points on one kill and one block. Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) and opposite Dave McKienzie each scored one point with an ace. Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) added one point with a block.

Suxho set the team to a 49.4 kill percent and a .370 hitting efficiency.

Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) had 13 of the team’s 43 digs. Stanley had nine. Lambourne was credited with 11 excellent receptions while Priddy led with 12.

Mexico’s Carlos Guerra produced a team-high 12 points and captain Gerardo Contreras added nine points.

1 2 3USA 25 25 25MEX 23 19 14

Matt Anderson (1) dives for the ball. (USAV/Matt Brown)

Fans cheer for the U.S. Men’s National Team. (USAV/Matt Brown)

Reid Priddy shouts his encouragement. (USAV/Matt Brown)

21Rich Lambourne passes the Molten (USAV/Matt Brown)

22

U.S. Men to Play Canada for Olympic Berth

LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 11, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team will play Canada for a berth at the 2012 Olympic Games on Saturday after beating Cuba on Friday, 21-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-16 at the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif.

The United States (4-0) will play Canada (4-0) at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Pyramid with the winner taking the Olympic berth. Cuba (3-2) will play Puerto Rico (2-3) in the bronze-medal match, which begins at 5 p.m.

The U.S. block came up big against Cuba with the United States holding a 14-5 blocking advantage. Four U.S. players finished with three blocks each.

The U.S. also led in aces, 10-5, while Cuba held the edge in attacks, 49-46. The U.S. scored 26 points on Cuban errors while giving away only 17.

U.S. outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) led all scorers with 24 points on a match-high 17 kills (70.8 kill percent, .708 hitting efficiency), three blocks and a match-high four aces. Opposite Clay Stanley added 13 points on seven attacks, three blocks and three aces.

The U.S. Men kept the first set close, but were never able to take a lead and pull away. In the next three sets, they took early leads and pulled away from Cuba.

“We didn’t start off the way we wanted to, but some of that credit goes to Cuba,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “I want to give a lot of credit to our passers tonight because (Wilfredo) Leon and (Fernando) Hernandez can put a lot of pressure on you. I was extremely proud of that effort as the match went on, but more importantly of the group because they stayed together and kept focus.”

“I don’t know what happened in the first set, Cuba put some pressure on us, but I am really proud of my team,” Stanley said. “Matt Anderson served his butt off tonight and he played great offense. Russell Holmes did a great job. We passed the ball pretty good. As a team we played an all-around good match.”

Wilfredo Leon paced Cuba with 15 points on 13 attacks and two aces.

Among other U.S. scorers, middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) finished with 11 points on eight attacks and three blocks. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) totaled 11 points on six kills, three blocks and two aces.

Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) contributed eight points on seven attacks and one block. Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) totaled two points on one kill and one block and opposite David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) had one point on a service ace.

Suxho set the U.S. Men to a 52.3 kill percent and a .477 hitting efficiency. Cuba had a 45.4 kill percent and a .370 hitting efficiency.

Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) was credited with eight digs as was Anderson. The U.S. had 23 digs total.

1 2 3 4USA 21 25 25 25CUB 25 18 17 16

Alan Knipe and his players listen to the National Anthem before the match. (USAV/Matt Brown)

Russell Holmes (12) goes for the kill of the set by Donald Suxho (left in white). (USAV/Matt Brown)

Clay Stanley (13) and David Lee (4) go up for the block against Cuba. (USAV/Matt Brown)

23

Clay Stanley attacks against Cuba (USAV/Matt Brown)

24

U.S. Men Book Ticket to London 2012

LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 12, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team qualified for its eighth straight Olympic Games on Saturday with a 28-26, 25-18, 25-20 victory over Canada at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament at the Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif.

The eight-team tournament awarded the winner berth into the Olympic Games later this summer in London. The U.S. Men finished the tournament with a 5-0 record. Canada finished second at 4-1. Cuba defeated Puerto Rico, 25-20, 25-21, 25-15, to win the bronze.

The United States, ranked sixth in the latest FIVB World ranking compared to Canada’s No. 18 ranking, has now qualified for each of the last four Olympic Games through the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament. However the 2012 event marks the first time the Americans have qualified on U.S. soil as a sell-out crowd watched the gold-medal match.

“I’ve never played in such an important match on U.S. soil with as much significance an as much support as this one,” U.S. outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) said.

“Being in the twilight of my career, this is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Thank you to UPS, USA Volleyball, the City of Anaheim and everyone who made it possible.”

U.S. opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) was named best spiker. U.S. middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) was named best blocker.

Stanley led the United States with 15 points as his team used a balanced offense. Stanley scored on 12 kills, one block and two aces.

Lee provided 13 points on seven attacks and a match-high five blocks. Anderson contributed 13 points on 13 attacks Priddy contributed 12 points on 10 kills, one block and one ace. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) scored nine points on five kills and four aces.

Canada was led by Dallas Soonias’ 19 points, followed by Fred Winters’ 12 points.

The U.S. Men managed a 47-37 advantage in attack points, in addition to an 11-5 margin in blocks and a 4-3 lead in aces.

“Now we can prepare for teams qualified for the Olympics and not just teams trying to qualify,” U.S. Men’s Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “And we can prepare our guys. We only had eight practices to prepare for this tournament and team did a great job.”

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) helped the U.S. Men to a 52.2 kill percent and a .467 hitting efficiency. Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the team in digs with seven while Anderson added six. Lambourne was credited with 17 receptions (65 percent positive). Anderson led the team in receptions with 18 (67 percent positive). Priddy also had 17 receptions (59 percent positive).

1 2 3USA 28 25 25CAN 26 18 20

Russell Holmes celebrates a great play. (USAV/Matt Brown)

From left, Donald Suxho, Reid Priddy and Matt Anderson celebrate. (USAV/Matt Brown)

From left, Ryan Millar, Riley Salmon with son Lincoln and Brian Thornton. (USAV/Matt Brown)

25

David Lee attacks against Canada(USAV/Matt Brown)

26

1 2 3 4USA 25 20 24 17FRA 17 25 26 25

U.S. Men Fall to France in World League Opener

FLORENCE, Italy (May 18, 2012) – Perhaps showing the strain of its rigorous early season schedule, the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team fell to France, 17-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-17 on Friday in their opening pool play match of the 2012 FIVB World League in Florence, Italy.

The U.S. Men are coming off the six-day, eight-team NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament, which they won with a 5-0 record while dropping only one set.

“We started the game well, but after the first set we fell asleep,” U.S. Men’s Team Captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) said in an FIVB press release.

After a strong first set on Friday, the U.S. Men saw France turn up its blocking pressure while Team USA struggled with its serve. France led 8-1 in aces while the U.S. Men had 17 service errors as compared to 14 for France. France led in digs 52-37 and in receptions 49-42.

“We couldn’t follow our technical plan, but we made a lot of mistakes in reception,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said in an FIVB release. “Definitely we weren’t focused on the match.”

France out-attacked the U.S. Men, 50-46 while the United States led in blocks 15-10. However five of the U.S. blocks came in the first set.

Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) led the United States with 17 points on 12 kills (52.2 kill percent, .435 hitting efficiency) and a team-high five blocks. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added 14 points on a team-high 13 attacks (46.4 kill percent, .321 hitting efficiency) and one ace. Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) totaled 10 points on seven attacks (63.6 kill percent, .455 hitting efficiency) and three blocks.

Marien Mareau and Earvin Ngapeth each scored 16 points for France. Kevin Le Roux added 13.

Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) scored nine points on seven kills and two blocks. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) amassed six points on three attacks and three blocks.

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) totaled three points on one kill and two blocks. He also set the team to a 46.0 kill percent and a .320 hitting efficiency.

Outside hitters Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) and Riley Salmon (League City, Texas) along with middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) each scored one point with an attack.

U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Holmes and Lee at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite and Suxho at setter. Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) is the designated libero for the tournament.

Lotman started the fourth set for Priddy and Millar started for Holmes. David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) and Salmon played as substitutes.

Clay Stanley tips the ball against France. (FIVB photo)

Donald Suxho (7) sets for Russell Holmes (12). (FIVB photo)

27

Matt Anderson blocks against France as Ryan Millar watches (FIVB photo)

28

1 2 3 4 5USA 20 18 25 25 17KOR 25 25 17 23 15

U.S. Men Complete Comeback to Beat Korea

FLORENCE, Italy (May 19, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team used a valiant comeback to defeat Korea, 20-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 17-15 on Saturday in an FIVB World League pool play match played in Florence, Italy.

After losing the first two sets to Korea, which had a 34-18 lead in attacks after the first two sets, the U.S. Men pulled together.

The United States fell behind 9-6 in the third set, but took its first lead at 14-13. With the score tied 15-15, the U.S. used a Korean serving error, a block by middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) and an ace from outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) to take an 18-15 lead that it never gave up.

The U.S. Men were behind 23-19 in the fourth set when Priddy scored with a block and Millar connected on an attack. Korea called timeout. But Priddy scored the final four points of the set on a block and three kills to give the U.S. the victory.

Team USA also looked to be in trouble in the tiebreaker as Korea reached match point at 14-13. Millar tied the score with a block and Holmes served an ace to give the U.S. match point. Korea tied it at 15-15 with a kill, but opposite David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) came through with the final two points on an attack and a block.

“I’m happy with the way we responded,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “My thanks to our guys.”

The match was the second-straight five-set loss for Korea, which also tested Italy on Friday, 24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 18-16.

The U.S. finished the match with a 16-6 lead in blocks. The teams were tied in aces with seven apiece while Korea held the edge in kills, 60-59. The U.S. kill percent was 50.0 while its hitting efficiency was .330. Korea’s kill percent was 52.17 and its hitting efficiency was .313.

Korea led in digs, 46-35, but the U.S. led in receptions, 61-51.

Priddy led the U.S. Men with 19 points on 15 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Holmes had 16 points on seven kills, a match-high seven blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added 16 points on 15 attacks and one block.

McKienzie, who substituted for opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) in the second set and started the rest of the match, finished with 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks and one ace.

Korea’s Yo-Han Kim led all scorers with 20 points on 17 attacks and a match-high three aces. Hong-Suk Choi added 19 points on 15 kills and four blocks.

U.S. Middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) totaled nine points on six kills and three blocks. Stanley finished with five points on three kills and two aces. Setter Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) scored one point with a kill while starting setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) had one point on a block.

Dave McKienzie and the team celebrate a great play. (FIVB photo)

Ryan Millar (9) and Reid Priddy (8) keep their eyes on the ball. (FIVB photo)

From left, Donald Suxho, Russell Holmes and Reid Priddy put up a block. (FIVB photo)

29

Clay Stanley attacks against Korea (FIVB photo)

30

1 2 3USA 16 20 16ITA 25 25 25

U.S. Men Struggle Against Italy

FLORENCE, Italy (May 20, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team struggled to find its rhythm as it fell to Italy 25-16, 25-20, 25-16 on Sunday in an FIVB World League pool play match in Florence, Italy.

Italy dominated the match, leading in attacks, 44-27, in blocks, 11-8 and in aces, 4-0.

U.S. opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) and outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) each scored eight points for the U.S. Men. Each had seven attacks and one block.

“I’m really disappointed, but it was hard to play against Italy tonight,” Stanley said in an FIVB press release.

Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) added seven points on three kills and a match-high four blocks.

Italy’s Ivan Zaytsev led all scorers with 17 points on 14 kills, two blocks and one ace. Michal Lasko added 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks.

Among other U.S. scorers, outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) finished with four points on three attacks and one block. Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) totaled three points on two kills and one block while outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) added three on three attacks.

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) and outside hitter Riley Salmon (League City, Texas) each scored one point with a kill.Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the U.S. in digs with 10 and in receptions with 14.

Suxho, who started the first two sets of the match, was credited with 10 assists and no faults while setter Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.), who replaced Suxho in the second set and started the third, before Suxho was brought back, was credited with four.

U.S. Men’s Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Lee and Holmes at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite and Susho at setter. Lambourne is the designated libero for the tournament.

Salmon started the third set for Priddy and Thornton started the third set for Suxho, who returned later in the set. Lotman, middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) and opposite David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) all played as substitutes.

Italy held a 13-9 lead in the first set when Holmes scored with a quick kill and then combined with Suxho for a block. A Stanley attack pulled the U.S. to within one at 13-12, but the next U.S. serve went out of bounds. Zaytsev scored on an ace for Italy and pulled the European side ahead 15-12. Italy still led by three at 17-14 when Buti scored with a quick kill followed by an Italy block. The U.S. called timeout, but came back with a hitting error that put Italy ahead 19-14. The U.S. was never able to pull any closer. Italy reached set point at 24-16 and used a block to win the set. Italy out-attacked the U.S. 13-7 in the first set and led 2-0 in aces.

The U.S. Men’s Team celebrates. (FIVB photo)

Reid Priddy wipes off his face. (FIVB photo)

31

Clay Stanley serves against Italy (FIVB photo)

32

1 2 3USA 30 28 25ITA 28 26 22U.S. Men Return to World League with Win

LEON, France (June 15, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team returned to FIVB World League action on Friday with a 30-28, 28-26, 25-22 victory over Italy in Lyon, France.

After a four-week competition break, the U.S. Men evened their World League record at 2-2. Italy suffered its first World League loss and now has a record of 3-1.

The last time the two teams played, on May 20 in Florence, Italy swept the U.S. Men. However both teams made some lineup changes on Friday as Italy went with a young lineup, save for team captain Simone Buti.

In fact, both teams were without their head coaches. On the U.S. side, John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.) took over for Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.), who is dealing with a family issue. Paolo Montagnani took over for Italy’s Mauro Berruto.

“We didn’t have a lot of information about this young Italian team,” U.S. team captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) said. “In the first set maybe we start too slow, but we were very focused, point after point.”

The U.S. took advantage of 26 Italy errors, including 11 service errors, while committing only 15, including just one service error. Italy led in attacks, 47-42 and aces, 8-5. The U.S. Men led in blocks 10-6.

The U.S. Men came back from a seven-point deficit to win the first set. In the second and third sets they kept the score close and pulled out the victories at the end.

“The future of Italian volleyball will be good,” Speraw said. “Early in the first set we had some trouble but we stayed focused. Our objective is to continue to improve. We need to play.”

U.S. outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) led his team with 17 points on 13 attacks (59.1 kill percent, .545 hitting efficiency) , two blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) added 13 points on 10 kills (47.6 kill percent, .333 hitting efficiency) and three blocks. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) contributed 11 points on nine kills (75.0 kill percent, .750 hitting efficiency) and two blocks.

Giulio Sabbi paced Italy with 17 points on a match-high 15 attacks and two aces. Jiri Kovar and Buti each added 11.

Among other U.S. scorers, Stanley scored seven points on five attacks and two aces. Middle blocker Dave Smith (Saugus, Calif.) added seven points on four kills and three blocks.

Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) scored a point on an ace. Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania), scored a point with a kill.Suxho was credited with 27 assists. He set the team to a 47.2 kill percent and a .360 hitting efficiency. Italy had a 46.1 kill percent and a .235 hitting efficiency.

U.S. libero Rich Lambourne led the team in digs with 12 and added 11 excellent receptions. Anderson led the team in excellent receptions with 13. Rooney also had 11.

From left, Matt Anderson, David Smith and Clay Stanley put up a block against France. (FIVB photo)

Sean Rooney receives the ball against Italy. (FIVB photo)

David Smith attacks the ball as Matt Anderson tries to fake out the blocker and Donald Suxho, left, watches the action. (FIVB photo)

33

John Speraw thinks the ball is out (FIVB photo)

34

1 2 3 4USA 22 25 27 25KOR 25 23 25 16

Anderson Leads U.S. Men Past Korea

FLORENCE, Italy (June 16, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team rode a strong performance by outside hitter Matt Anderson to a 22-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-16 pool play victory over Korea on Saturday in an FIVB World League match played in Lyon, France.

Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) led the U.S. Men on Saturday with 21 points with 14 attacks (50.0 kill percent, .429 hitting efficiency), a match-high six blocks and one ace. He also led the team in excellent receptions with 21 on 34 attempts.

The blocking proved to be a key as the U.S. led Korea in blocks, 14-7. Korea led in attacks, 60-54 while the U.S. held a 3-2 edge in aces. The United States also scored on 28 Korea errors while committing only 20.

“I’m always satisfied to win but I think we have to play better tomorrow if we want to win against France,” U.S. Head Coach John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.) said in an FIVB press release. “Our defense was not very good but of course Korea plays well in defense. Chul-Woo Park played fantastic volleyball. The third set was the key point of the match.”

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) served as U.S. team captain for the match as usual captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) took the evening off.“Korea is a very good team, very tactical, so we had a difficult game,” Suxho said. “Korea never gave up and played incredible balls. So we stayed together and it worked because we stayed in-system.”

Among other U.S. scorers, outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) finished with 11 points on 10 kills (50.0 kill percent, .400 hitting efficiency) and one ace.

Middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) scored 10 points on eight kills and two blocks. Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) added 10 points on seven attacks and three blocks. Opposite Dave McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) scored 10 points on nine attacks (56.3 kill percent, .500 hitting efficiency) and one ace.

Opposite Gabe Gardner (San Clemente, Calif.) totaled five points on five attacks. Setter Donald Suxho added three points on three blocks and outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) scored a point with a kill.Suxho was credited with 44 assists and no errors. He set the U.S. Men to an overall kill percent of 56.3 and a hitting efficiency of .458. Korea’s kill percent was 53.6 and its hitting efficiency was .348.

U.S. libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the team in digs with seven and was also credited with 16 excellent receptions.

Korea’s Chul-Woo Park led all scorers with 24 points on 23 kills and one ace.Speraw, who is filling in for Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) while he deals with a family issue, started Anderson and Rooney at outside hitter, Millar and Smith at middle blocker, Gardner at opposite, Suxho at setter and Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) at libero.

McKienzie substituted for Gardner in the second set and started the third and fourth. Lotman and middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) played as substitutes.

Matt Anderson receives the ball. (FIVB photo)

Matt Anderson (1) and David Smith (20) block against Korea. (FIVB photo)

From left, Russell Holmes, Sean Rooney and Brian Thornton listen to the National Anthem. (FIVB photo)

35

David McKienzie hits against Korea (FIVB photo)

36

1 2 3 4USA 20 25 25 25FRA 25 22 19 21

U.S. Men Leave France with Pool Lead

LYON, France (June 17, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team completed its FIVB World League weekend in Lyon with a 20-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-21 victory over host France on Sunday.

Halfway through World League pool play, the U.S. Men lead Pool C with a record of 4-2 and 11 points. France is also 4-2 with 11 points, but the U.S. has a better set ratio.

“For us to win our three games is very positive,” U.S. opposite and team captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) said. “We put together a good game plan. We are happy about the way we played. We were consistant throughout these three matches so that’s the best thing that we could ask for.”

The U.S. Men will travel straight from France to Korea for their next weekend of play on June 22-24.

On Sunday, the U.S. Men led France in kills (54-51), blocks (11-4) and aces (8-5).

U.S. outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) led the United States with 21 points on a match-high 16 kills (59.3 kill percent, .519 hitting efficiency), three blocks and two aces. Stanley added 16 points on nine attacks (56.3 kill percent, .375 hitting efficiency), three blocks and a match-high four aces.Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) scored 15 points on 13 attacks, one block and one ace.

“It’s a very nice weekend with three wins; it’s very good for us,” U.S. Head Coach John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.) said. “A lot of teams took the opportunity to play with young guys. Obviously we did too for example with Sean Rooney and he plays very well, that’s very good for us. We also had nice contribution of guys from the bench.”

Earvin Ngapeth paced France with 17 points on 14 attacks and three aces.

Among other U.S. scorers, middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) totaled eight points on six kills and two blocks. Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) added seven points on five attacks, one block and one ace.

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) had four points on three kills and one block and outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) added two points on two attacks.

Suxho was credited with 34 assists and set the U.S. Men to a 50.9 kill percent and a .396 hitting efficiency. France had a 43.2 kill percent and a .280 hitting efficiency.

U.S. libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the team in digs with nine. He was also credited with 11 excellent receptions. Rooney led the team in excellent receptions with 21.

Speraw, who is filling in for Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) while he deals with a family issue, started Anderson and Rooney at outside hitter, Holmes and Smith at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) at libero.

Russell Holmes, left, and Donald Suxho block against France. (FIVB photo)

Sean Rooney dives for the ball against France. (FIVB photo)

Clay Stanley (13) attacks against France. (FIVB photo)

37

Clay Stanley (FIVB photo)

38

1 2 3 4USA 22 25 29 25ITA 25 21 27 16

U.S. Men Upend Italy

GWANGJU, Korea (June 22, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team held on to its Pool C lead in the FIVB World League on Friday as it defeated Italy, 22-25, 25-21, 29-27, 25-16 in Gwangju, Korea.

The U.S. Men, who went into the weekend leading Pool C, improved their record to 5-2. Italy, which has been playing a younger lineup, fell to 3-4.

The U.S. Men led Italy in kills (55-54), blocks (14-7) and aces (6-4). The United States also held the edge in digs, 11-7. Italy continued to use a young roster as it did during the World League weekend in France and was coached by assistant Paolo Montagnani. The U.S. Men were coached by assistant John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.), who continued to fill in for Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) while Knipe attends to a family issue.

“There were some problems with passing and serving in the first set, but we got better from the second set.” Speraw said in an FIVB press release. “We were fortunate to get the third set, which was very competitive. Overall, I am happy to win today’s match.”

The U.S. Men struggled early in the match, particularly with serve receive. But the U.S. turned up the blocking in the second set, which helped the offense gain momentum.

Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) led all scorers with 21 points on 16 attacks (51.6 kill percent, .387 hitting efficiency), four blocks and one ace. Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) added 20 points on 14 kills (53.9 kill percent, 46.2 hitting efficiency), four blocks and two aces.

Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) looked strong with 17 points on 10 kills, a match-high five blocks and two aces.

Giulio Sabbi paced Italy with 19 points on 16 attacks, two blocks and one ace.

Among other U.S. scorers, middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) scored eight points on eight kills. Outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) totaled five points on four kills and one block. Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) scored four points on three attacks and one ace.

U.S. setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) was credited with 27 assists. He set the U.S. Men to a 50.9 kill percent and a .389 hitting efficiency. Italy had a 47.0 kill percent and a .296 hitting efficiency.

U.S. libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the U.S. in digs with four and was also credited with seven excellent receptions. Anderson led the U.S. in excellent receptions with 15.

Speraw started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Smith and Lee at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Lambourne at libero.

Rooney substituted for Priddy in the third set and started the rest of the match. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) and opposite Dave McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) also played as substitutes.

Sean Rooney (2) and Matt Anderson (1) celebrate a great play with the rest of the team.. (FIVB photo)

Sean Rooney celebrates. (FIVB photo)

The U.S. Men celebrate the victory. (FIVB photo)

39

FIVB hero Clay Stanley (FIVB photo)

40

1 2 3USA 25 25 25FRA 21 21 20

U.S. Men Alone in Pool Lead After Win

GWANGJU, Korea (June 23, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team extended its lead in Pool C on Saturday with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 victory over France in FIVB World League pool play in Gwangju, Korea.

The U.S. Men had been tied with France in the Pool C lead, but had been in first place by virtue of its set ratio. With Saturday’s victory, the U.S. improved its record to 6-2 with 17 points while France is 5-3 with 14 points. Italy, which beat Korea on Saturday, is in third place at 4-4 with 11 points.

The U.S. Men will complete their weekend series in Gwangju against host Korea at 10 p.m. PT on Saturday.

France led the U.S. in attacks on Saturday, 43-40. But the U.S. held a big edge in blocks, 12-3, including five blocks in a second-set comeback, and had a smaller edge in aces, 3-2. The U.S. Men led in digs 18-14. The U.S. also took advantage of 21 French errors while committing only 15.

The U.S. got balanced scoring from its starters, with four in double digits.

U.S. outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) led all scorers with 13 points on nine kills (40.90 kill percent, .364 hitting efficiency) and a match-high four blocks. Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) added 12 points on 10 attacks (45.5 kill percent, .364 hitting efficiency) and two blocks.

“We did a great job today,” Stanley said. “Our team led the game with excellent teamwork. It was consistent. Also, we showed incredible defense and blocking today. It was a pretty good match.”

Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) contributed 11 points on seven attacks, three blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) totaled 10 points on nine kills and one block.

Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) scored seven points on five attacks, on block and one ace. Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) scored one point with a block.

Suxho was credited with 27 assists and no faults. He set the U.S. to a 44.9 kill percent and a .348 hitting efficiency. France’s kill percent was 39.8 and its hitting efficiency was .185.

U.S. libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the team in digs with six and added five excellent receptions. Anderson led the team in excellent receptions with nine.

Antonin Rouzier led France with 11 points on 11 attacks. Kevin Tillie, who played on UC Irvine’s 2012 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship team under U.S. coach John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.) also made an appearance in the third set and scored seven points on seven kills in the losing effort.

Speraw, who continued to fill in for Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) while Knipe attends to a family issue, started Anderson and Rooney at outside hitter, Holmes and Smith at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Lambourne at libero.

Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) played as a substitute.

Sean Rooney lays out his body to get the ball. (FIVB photo)

David Smith, left, and Sean Rooney celebrate a great play. (FIVB photo)

Russell Holmes attacks against France. (FIVB photo)

41

David Smith goes for a block (FIVB photo)

42

1 2 3USA 25 25 25KOR 20 18 18

U.S. Men Win Sixth in a Row

GWANGJU, Korea (June 24, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team will return to the United States on a six-match, FIVB World League win streak after defeating Korea, 25-20, 25-18, 25-18 on Sunday in Gwangju, Korea.

The U.S. Men (7-2) leave Gwangju in first place in Pool C and will host their final three pool play matches on June 29-July 1 at the Dallas Convention Center Arena in Texas. (BUY TICKETS) Korea fell to 1-8 with Sunday’s loss.

If the U.S. Men can continue their winning streak in Dallas, they will qualify for the World League Final Round on July 4-8 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The winning World League team earns $1 million.

“It is nice to win three straight World League matches in Gwangju,” U.S. opposite and team captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) said. “ It was an almost perfect game today. Both serving and blocking were very good. I hope we have more games like this.“

The U.S. Men led Korea in kills (39-37), blocks (10-4) and aces (6-1). The U.S. Men also scored on 20 Korean team errors while committing only 14.

U.S. outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) led the U.S. with 13 points on nine attacks, one block and a match-high three aces. Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) added 12 points on nine kills (51.72 kill percent, .379 hitting efficiency), two blocks and one ace.

Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) finished with nine points on seven kills (58.3 kill percent, .500 hitting efficiency), one block and one ace. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) scored eight points on six attacks and two blocks. Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) totaled six points on four attacks and two blocks.

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) contributed three points on one kill and two blocks.

Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) added two points on one attack and one ace and opposite Gabe Gardner (San Clemente, Calif.) scored two points on two attacks.

Suxho was credited with 26 assists and no faults. He set the team to a 53.4 kill percent and a .411 hitting efficiency. Korea’s kill percent was 46.3 and its hitting efficiency was .213.

U.S. libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the team with three digs and also had nine excellent receptions.

Chul-Woo Park led Korea with 13 points on 12 kills and one block.

U.S. Coach John Speraw (Irvine, Calif.), who continued to fill in for Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) while Knipe attends to a family issue, started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Holmes and Lee at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Lambourne at libero.

Lotman, Gardner and opposite Dave McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) played as substitutes.

Reid Priddy hits against Korea’s block. (FIVB photo)

Donald Suxho (7) sets for David Lee. (FIVB photo)

Matt Anderson attacks against Korea. (FIVB photo)

43Russell Holmes attacks (FIVB photo)

44

1 2 3USA 32 26 25KOR 30 24 22

U.S. Men One Win Away from Pool Victory

DALLAS, Texas (June 29, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Team maintained its Pool C lead in the FIVB World League on Friday with a 32-30, 26-24, 25-22 victory over Korea on Friday before an enthusiastic crowd of 2,028 at the Dallas Convention Center Arena.

The United States improved its record to 8-2 while Korea fell to 1-9. If the U.S. Men can defeat France on Saturday, they will secure victory in Pool C and advance to the World League Final Round on July 4-8 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The overall World League winner earns $1 million.

“We knew what was at stake coming into this weekend,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said.

“We got a good win tonight against a good Korean team and now we need to prepare for France. They got a nice win tonight so we will focus on them now.”

France defeated Italy in the first match of the evening, 29-31, 25-23, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12.

The U.S. led Korea in attacks, 49-43, in blocks, 13-6 and in aces 6-3. Korea led in digs 26-24.

U.S. opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) led all scorers with 19 points on 14 attacks (63.6 kill percent, .455 hitting efficiency), three blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added 17 points on a match-high 16 attacks (53.3 kill percent, .367 hitting efficiency) and one ace.

Kwang-In Jeon led Korea with 14 points on 13 spikes and one block.

“I thought we got off to a really slow start in the first set, but I am glad that we steadied out and stopped making bad plays,” Stanley said.

“Overall, I don’t think it was a great night for us. It was a great learning experience and Korea put pressure on us the whole time.”

Among other U.S. scorers, middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) totaled 11 points on five kills, a match-high five blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) finished with 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks.

Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) scored 10 points on five attacks, three blocks and two aces.

U.S. libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the team in digs with 10 and was credited with 18 excellent receptions.

U.S. setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) was credited with 32 assists and no faults. He set the U.S. to a 53.9 kill percent and a .396 hitting efficiency.

Korea’s kill percent was 47.3 and its hitting efficiency was .275.

Dallas fans cheer on the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team. (FIVB photo)

Libero Rich Lambourne dives for the ball. (FIVB photo)

Reid Priddy receives the ball against Korea. (FIVB photo)

45

Donald Suxho (7) sets for David Lee (FIVB photo)

46

1 2 3 4 5USA 20 25 25 23 13FRA 25 22 23 25 15

France Interrupts U.S. Winning Streak

DALLAS, Texas (June 30, 2012) – The winner of Pool C of the FIVB World League will be determined on the final day of the Intercontinental (pool play) Round as France defeated the United States, 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13 on Saturday at the Dallas Convention Center Arena.

Despite the five-set loss, the U.S. (8-3) maintains the Pool C lead with 24 points while France (8-3) has 21. However, France could win the pool on Sunday with a win over Korea while the United States faces Italy.

The pool winner advances to the Final Round on July 4-8 in Sofia, Bulgaria and a chance to win $1 million.

France led the U.S. in kills, 75-61, aces, 9-0, and digs, 42-31. The U.S. led in blocks 19-5 as setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania), outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) and middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) were each credited with four.

Suxho set the U.S. to a 53.5 kill percent and a .456 hitting efficiency. France finished with a 51.0 kill percent and a .327 hitting efficiency.

“It’s really tough,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “We won in so many key areas but not in the most important area. We need to pass better. Even though we won the blocking battle, our blocks could be better. France played very well. The made good plays when they needed to.”Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) paced the United States with 18 points on 15 attacks (68.18 kill percent, .591 hitting efficiency) and three blocks.

Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) added 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks. Priddy totaled 16 points on 12 attacks and four blocks.

“We need to find a way not to start the game off sloppily,” Stanley said. “We had trouble serving and when we did serve well they sent it back. It took me a while to get in a good blocking rhythm. But I figured it out.”Lee finished with 13 points on nine kills and four blocks. Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) tallied 11 points on 10 attacks and one block.

Suxho added five points on 1 attack and four blocks. Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) finished with one point on a kill.

Libero Rich Lambourne was credited with four digs and 16 excellent receptions. Priddy led the team in digs with nine while Suxho had eight. Anderson led in excellent receptions with 29.

France’s Antonin Rouzier led all scorers with 21 points on 18 attacks and a match-high three aces. France’s Kevin Tillie added 19 points on 18 spikes and one block.

Knipe started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Holmes and Lee at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Lambourne at libero.

Lotman, middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) and opposite David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) all played as substitutes.

Donald Suxho (7) sets for David Lee (4). (FIVB photo)

Matt Anderson receives the ball against Italy. (FIVB photo)

47

Paul Lotman tips against France (FIVB photo)

48

1 2 3 4 5USA 26 25 24 25 15ITA 28 20 26 17 10

U.S. Men Headed to Final Round

DALLAS, Texas (July 1, 2012) – The United States won Pool C and a trip to Bulgaria on Sunday as it defeated Italy, 26-28, 25-20, 24-26, 25-17, 15-10, in the final Intercontinental Round match of the 2012 FIVB World League at the Dallas Convention Center Arena.

The U.S. Men, ranked No. 6 in the world, completed pool play with a 9-3 record while Italy, ranked No. 3, finished at 5-7. The five-set victory meant the U.S. Men beat France for the pool win. France had put pressure on the United States by sweeping Korea in the first match of the evening, 25-19, 25-15, 25-17.

The U.S. was trailing 2-1 in sets and 8-6 in points in the fourth set when it tied the score at 8-8 and then used 4-0 run to pull ahead at 12-9. The run included a kill by outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.), who had replaced Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) in the third set and made several crucial plays.

The U.S. Men also bounced back from a first-set loss in which Italy fought off six set points and went on to win.

“It was a great effort by our team, especially players who came off the bench: Dave Smith, Sean Rooney,” U.S. team captain and opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) said. “We have been trying not to get down in matches and keep our heads up; keep pushing, keep going.”

The U.S. led Italy in blocks, 18-11, aces, 3-2 and digs, 47-46. Italy led in attacks, 67-64.

Stanley led all scorers with 25 points on a match-high 23 attacks (56.1 kill percent, .439 hitting efficiency) and two blocks. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added 20 points on 16 kills (45.7 kill percent, .343 hitting efficiency) and four blocks.

Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) finished with 13 points on six kills, a match-high six blocks and blocks and a match-high three aces.

Priddy scored two points on two kills. David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) at middle blocker added two points on one kill and one block.

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania ) scored two points on two blocks. He was credited with 29 assists and set the United States to a 46.0 kill percent and a .317 hitting efficiency. Italy had a 44.4 kill percent and a .252 hitting efficiency.

Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) was credited with 11 digs and nine excellent receptions. Stanley led in digs with 13 and Anderson led in excellent receptions with 15.

“We are pleased,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe said. “It was a must-win for us against a quality opponent, an Olympic opponent. It allows us to go on and gain experience before London.”

Ivan Zaytsev paced Italy with 21 points on 18 attacks, one block and two aces.

Russell Holmes attacks against Italy. (FIVB photo)

U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe. (FIVB photo)

49

The U.S. Men celebrate their victory (FIVB photo)

50

1 2 3 4 5USA 25 21 25 20 14GER 20 25 21 25 16

U.S. Opens Final Round with Loss to Germany

SOFIA, Bulgaria (July 5, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team opened the FIVB World League Final Round with a five-set loss to Germany, 20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 16-14 on Thursday in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The U.S. Men (0-1) will play Bulgaria (1-0) on Friday at 10:45 a.m. PT to try to advance to the semifinals. Germany completed Final Round pool play at 1-1.

The U.S. led Germany in kills, 66-60 and blocks, 17-15, while the two teams tied in aces 4-4. However Germany scored on 28 U.S. team errors while committing 18.

“It was frustrating. If you look at the stats, in a lot of areas we had an edge,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) “But in receptions, we didn’t and in the most important area, the final score, we didn’t. It was a struggle to maintain a high standard of consistency.”

U.S. opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu) led all scorers with 22 points on a match-high 18 kills, three blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added 20 points on 19 attacks and one block.

“We had a pretty good blocking defense, but for us it was more running our offense,” Stanley said. “We had trouble with reception of their float serves. I think that was a bigger point in the match.”

Among other U.S. scorers, middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) scored 11 points on seven attacks, two blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) added 11 points on seven kills and four blocks.

Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) totaled nine points on four attacks and a match-high five blocks. Outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) added eight points on seven kills and one block.

Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) contributed five points on three attacks, one block and one ace. Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) scored a point on an attack.

Knipe started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Holmes and Lee at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) at libero.

Smith replaced Holmes in the third set and started the fourth. Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) took over for Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) in the fourth set and started the fifth. Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) and David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) played as substitutes.

“David Smith generally can give us a spark,” Knipe said.

“He brings some energy. He has a different serve, a jump serve as a middle blocker. He gave us a spark right away.”

Clay Stanley attacks against Germany. (FIVB photo)

Donald Suxho (7) back sets next to Russell Holmes. (FIVB photo)

51

From left, Clay Stanley, Russell Holmes and Reid Priddy block (FIVB photo)

52

1 2 3USA 25 25 25BUL 21 16 17

U.S. Men Advance to Semifinals

SOFIA Bulgaria (July 6, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team advanced to the semifinals of the 2012 FIVB World League with a 25-21, 25-16, 25-17 victory over host Bulgaria on Friday.

The U.S. Men earned three points with the victory and won Pool A with four points and a 1-1 record. They will play Cuba (1-1), the second-place team from Pool B, on Saturday while Bulgaria (1-1) will face Poland (2-0). The winners will play Sunday for the gold medal while the losers will compete for bronze.

The U.S. victory was its fifth in 17 matches against Bulgaria. It last played Bulgaria in 2008, going 1-3 during World League pool play.

On Friday, the U.S. led Bulgaria in kills, 40-34, blocks, 10-5 and aces, 5-1. The U.S. Men also took advantage of 20 Bulgarian errors while committing 14.

“Our outside hitters passed the ball really well, which helped us run our offense,” U.S. opposite and team captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu) said. “Our middles had an excellent match getting numerous kills off the net. Donny (Suxho) set them really well. I look forward to the semifinals.”

U.S. outside hitters Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) and Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) shared the scoring lead with 15 points each. Anderson scored on a match-high 11 attacks (50.0 kill percent, .455 hitting efficiency), three blocks and one ace. Rooney totaled 10 attacks (62.5 kill percent, .563 hitting efficiency), three blocks and two aces.

Stanley added eight points on six attacks, one block and one kill.

Middle blockers David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) and David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) each scored seven points. Smith scored with seven attacks while Lee added four attacks and three blocks.

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) contributed two points on two attacks and serving substitute David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) scored on an ace.

Suxho was credited with 16 assists and no faults. He set the United States to a 52.0 kill percent and a .455 hitting efficiency. Bulgaria had a 38.6 kill percent and a .182 hitting efficiency.

The U.S. was credited with 16 excellent receptions, including eight from Rooney and six by libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.).

Todor Aleksiev paced Bulgaria with 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks.

“What I’m most proud of is how our team responded and the attention to detail and energy they brought tonight,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “We are going to need to show that in these next two matches.”

Knipe started Anderson and Rooney at outside hitter, Lee and Smith at middle blocker, Suxho at setter and Lambourne at libero.

McKienzie and Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Colo.) played as substitutes.

Sean Rooney (2) and David Lee (4) block against Bulgaria. (FIVB photo)

Team USA celebrates a great play. (FIVB photo)

Donald Suxho, left, and David Lee block against Bulgaria. (FIVB photo)

53

Sean Rooney celebrates (FIVB photo)

54

1 2 3USA 25 25 25CUB 23 22 23

U.S. Men to Play Poland for Gold

SOFIA, Bulgaria (July 7, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team will play in its first FIVB World League final since 2008 on Sunday after defeating Cuba in the semifinals, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23 on Saturday at Arena Armeec in Sofia.

The U.S. Men (2-1) will play the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal match between Poland and Bulgaria for the World League championship on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. PT. Cuba will play the loser in the bronze medal match at 7:30 a.m. PT.

The U.S. Men won the 2008 FIVB World League, then went on to win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing. The U.S. has also won World League bronze medals in 1992 and 2007.

On Saturday, the U.S. led Cuba in blocks, 7-2 and aces, 5-3. Cuba held the edge in attacks, 46-42. The U.S. scored on 21 Cuba errors while committing 17.

“We know Cuba pretty well from playing them both in World cup and the Olympic qualifier,” U.S. outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) said.

“They have a different lineup here, but we were still confident in our preparations.”

U.S. opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu) led his team with 17 points on 13 kills (72.2 kill percent; 66.7 hitting efficiency) and a match-high four aces.

Anderson added 13 points on 13 attacks (59.1 kill percent; .545 hitting efficiency). Outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) totaled 11 points on 10 attacks and one ace.

Wilfredo Leon paced Cuba with 16 points on a match-high 16 attacks.

“If you look at the stats, the teams are close,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said.

“For the second night, I thought our guys did good job in serve reception. Also important was the ability for us to create opportunities in our blocking defense and then convert those and sustain the energy by winning those points.”

Among other U.S. scorers, middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) tallied six points on four attacks and two blocks. Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) added five points on two kills and a match-high three blocks. Setter Donald Suxho tallied two points with two blocks.

Suxho was credited with 17 assists. He set the U.S. Men to a 48.3 kill percent and a .414 hitting efficiency.

Libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) led the U.S. Men in digs with nine. He also led in excellent receptions with eight.

Donald Suxho (7) dumps the ball. (FIVB photo)

Matt Anderson blocks against Cuba. (FIVB photo)

55

David Lee attacks off a set from Donald Suxho (FIVB photo)

56

1 2 3USA 25 26 25POL 17 24 20

U.S. Men Win Silver in World League Final Round

SOFIA, Bulgaria (July 12, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team was awarded the silver medal on Sunday after falling to Poland in the FIVB World League championship match, 25-17, 26-24, 25-20.

The U.S. Men completed the World League Final Round with a record of 2-2 and completed the 2012 World League with an overall record of 11-5. It is the best World League finish for the U.S. Men since they won the title in 2008 and the first silver medal for the team, which won bronze in 1992 and 2007.

The U.S. won $500,000 for the second-place finish.

U.S. opposite and team captain Clay Stanley (Honolulu) was named the Best Server of the World League Final Round, finishing with nine aces, including three on Sunday, for an average of .64 per set. Stanley also finished second among all Final Round scorers with 62 points on 49 attacks, four blocks and nine aces.

It is the first time that the U.S. Men have medaled in World League in the same year that the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team has medaled in the FIVB Grand Prix. The U.S. Women won the Grand Prix on July 1.

On Sunday, Poland led the overall statistics in kills (42-32), blocks (11-7) and aces (7-3).

Stanley (Honolulu) led the U.S. with 15 points on a team-high 12 attacks and three aces. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added eight points on six kills and two blocks.

Middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) finished with seven points on four attacks and a team-high three blocks. Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) added five points on four attacks and one block.

Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) tallied four points on three attacks and one block. Outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) totaled two points on two kills. Outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) had one point with a kill.

Setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) was credited with 13 assists. Setter Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.), who substituted for Suxho in the third set, had one.

The two combined to set the U.S. Men to a 41.0 kill percent and a .218 hitting efficiency. Poland had a 54.0 kill percent and a .421 hitting efficiency.

Cuba defeated Bulgaria, 25-18, 19-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12 to win the bronze medal.

U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) started Anderson and Rooney at outside hitter, Holmes and Lee at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite, Suxho at setter and Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.) at libero.

Priddy substituted for Rooney in the second set and started the third. Thornton took over for Suxho in the third set. Lotman took over for Anderson in the third. David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) also played as a substitute.

Matt Anderson attacks against Poland. (FIVB photo)

David Lee holds up the trophy for second place. (FIVB photo)

Clay Stanley, far left, holds the award for Best Server. (FIVB photo)

57

Clay Stanley (13) and Russell Holmes (12) block (FIVB photo)

58

2012 Pan American CupU.S. MEN SWEEP VENEZUELA

USA .................................25 25 25 Venezuela ........................17 19 12

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (July 9, 2011) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team used a definitive serving advantage to defeat Venezuela 25-17, 25-19, 25-12 to open the Men’s Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The U.S. continues Pool B action on July 10 against Mexico before concluding the preliminary round on July 11. The U.S. was led by Daniel McDonnell (Glendale, Ariz.) and Taylor Sander (Huntington Beach, Calif.), who each pocketed 12 points in the victory over Venezuela.

McDonnell reached his dozen points with five kills on eight errorless attacks, two blocks and five aces. Sander recorded nine kills on 13 attacks, two aces and a block.

Tony Ciarelli (Huntington Beach, Calif.) charted six kills on 10 attacks, three aces and a block for 10 points. Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) added eight points with four aces, three kills and a block.

Carson Clark (Santa Barbara, Calif.) produced six points all on kills. Matt Rawson (Los Angeles) and Garrett Muagututia (Oceanside, Calif.) tallied three points each. Dylan Davis (Corona Del Mar, Calif.), Jordan DeFault (Lakewood, Calif.) and Kawika Shoji (Honolulu) rounded out the scoring with a point each. As the setter, Shoji directed the U.S. offense to a 61.3 kill percent and .548 hitting efficiency with only four errors on 62 attempts. Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) totaled a team-high five digs along with five excellent receptions on 13 attempts. Sander charted seven excellent receptions on 14 attempts. “We have worked hard to achieve this kind of victory,” U.S. Men’s Volleyball Coach Shawn Patchell said.

“Our start was not the best and I was concerned but we improved a lot and after the first set our serves were accurate and a key to the victory. This is a good group of young players who are gaining confidence and can improve their game even more.” The U.S. started Shoji at setter, Clark at opposite, Davis and McDonnell at middle blocker, and Sander and Ciarelli at outside hitter. Watten was the designated libero.

Murphy started the second and third sets for Clark. Rawson subbed in the second set and started the third set. Muagututia started the third set. Ryan Ammierman (Parker, Colo.) was a sub in the second and third sets, while DuFault was a sub in the third set. The U.S. serve routinely took Venezuela out of its game with a 14-2 ace advantage. Team USA held a 38-26 margin in kills, in addition to a slim 5-3 advantage in blocks and 18-10 dig advantage. “Venezuelans played very well at the beginning of the match, but our good service made the difference,” Shoji said. Venezuela was led by Kervin Pinerua’s 11 points, and no other player scored more than six points.

The U.S. Men’s Pan American Cup Team. (NORCECA Photo)

Carson Clark hits against Venezuela (NORCECA photo)

Tony Ciarelli attacks against Venezuela’s blockers. (NORCECA photo)Team Captain Kawika Shoji, far right, and Head Coach Shawn Patchell pose with Venezuela at the press conference. (NORCECA photo)

59

U.S. MEN DOMINATE MEXICO

USA .................................25 25 25 Mexico ............................. 8 16 18

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (July 10, 2011) – A group of young players from the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team dominated Mexico, 25-8, 25-16, 25-18 at the Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The U.S. Men improved their record to 2-0 in pool play, which it will conclude on July 11 against Brazil. The U.S. Men beat Mexico 42-23 in kills, 11-7 in blocks, 7-2 in aces and 24-7 in digs. “Our Pan Am Cup team is doing an excellent job serving the ball,” U.S. Men’s Pan American Team Head Coach Shawn Patchell said via e-mail. “We lead the tournament in aces and we are getting teams out of system so we are blocking some balls. We had a longer training block for this tournament so the boys are rested and playing with a lot of poise. We hope to keep improving throughout the tournament. “The tourny is now a toss up between USA, Brazil, Arg, and the Dominican. All are undefeated until tomorrow. We face a similar team to ourselves in Brazil tomorrow. They are a young team that is filled with 2016 Olympic hopefuls.” U.S. opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) led all scorers with 14 points on a match-high 12 kills and two blocks. Outside hitter Taylor Sander (Huntington Beach, Calif.) added nine points on six attacks, two blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia (Oceanside, Calif.), who played only the third set, totaled eight points on eight attacks. Middle blocker Matt Rawson (Los Angeles) tallied eight points on five kills and a match-high three blocks. Middle blocker Daniel McDonnell (Glendale, Ariz.) finished with seven points on two spikes, two blocks and a match-high three aces. Outside hitter Tony Ciarelli (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored six points on four attacks and two aces. Outside hitter Jordan Dufault (Lakewood, Calif.), played as a substitute in the second set and started the third, finishing with four points on three attacks and one block. Setter Kawika Shoji (Honolulu) finished with two points on one kill and one ace. Shoji, who is the team captain, was credited with 18 assists and also set the team to a 54.6 kill percent and a .429 hitting efficiency. Mexico had a 27.7 kill percent and a .036 hitting efficiency. Leonardo Manzo led Mexico with seven points. U.S. libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) was credited with a match-high 11 digs and five excellent receptions. Muagututia led the U.S. in excellent receptions with seven. Patchell started Ciarelli and Sander at outside hitter, McDonnell and Rawson at middle blocker, Troy at opposite, Shoji at setter and Watten at libero. Dufault substituted in the second set and started the third. Muagututia started the third set. Setter Ryan Ammerman (Parker, Colo.) and middle blocker Dylan Davis (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) played as substitutes.

2012 Pan American Cup

From left, Tony Ciarelli waits for the play while Matt Rawson and Taylor Sander block against Mexico. (NORCECA Photo)

Matt Rawson (2) and Jordan DuFault block. (NORCECA Photo)

Matt Rawson (2) and Jordan DuFault block. (NORCECA Photo)

The U.S. Men celebrate. (NORCECA Photo)Dan McDonnell and Murphy Troy (6) block. (NORCECA Photo)

60

U.S. MEN SURGE PAST BRAZIL

USA .................................22 25 25 25 Brazil ...............................25 23 20 22

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (July 11, 2011) – A group of young players from the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team came back to defeat Brazil, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22 on Wednesday at the Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The victory means the U.S. Men (3-0) win Pool B and will get a day off on Thursday while the quarterfinals are played. Brazil finishes the pool second at 2-1. The U.S. Men led Brazil in kills (56-53), blocks (11-9), aces (9-5) and digs (24-15). After losing the first set, the U.S. Men trailed in the second set 23-21, but scored the final four points to win 25-23. The U.S. took an 8-5 lead in the third set and never trailed. The fourth set was tied at 18-18 when the U.S. scored twice and Brazil never caught up. Outside hitter Taylor Sander (Huntington Beach, Calif.) led all scorers with a match-high 19 kills (59.4 kill percent, .500 hitting efficiency), one block and a team-high three aces. Outside hitter Tony Ciarelli (Huntington Beach, Calif.) added 16 points on 13 kills (52.0 kill percent, .400 hitting efficiency), two blocks and one ace. Opposite Carson Clark (Santa Barbara, Calif.) finished with 12 points on 10 attacks and two aces. Middle blocker Dylan Davis (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) totaled seven points on seven attacks while middle blocker Matt Rawson (Los Angeles) added seven points on three kills and a team-high four blocks. Opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) compiled six points on three kills, two blocks and one ace. Setter Kawika Shoji (Honolulu) tallied four points on two blocks and two aces while middle blocker Dan McDonnell (Glendale, Ariz.) finished with one point on a kill. U.S. libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) led the U.S. in digs with 11 and also was credited with seven excellent receptions. Sander led in excellent receptions with 14. Shoji was credited with eight assists and set the U.S. Men to a 49.6 kill percent and a .310 hitting efficiency. Brazil had a 50.5 kill percent and a .352 hitting efficiency. Gustavo Bonatto led Brazil with 18 points on 12 attacks and a match-high six blocks. U.S. Head Coach Shawn Patchell started Ciarelli and Sander at outside hitter, McDonnell and Rawson at middle blocker, Troy at opposite, Shoji at setter and Watten at libero. Davis substituted for McDonnell in the second set and started the third and fourth sets. Clark substituted in the second set for Troy and started the third and fourth sets. Outside hitter Jordan Dufault (Lakewood, Calif.) played as a substitute. The first set came down to the final points as Brazil led 23-21. The U.S. pulled to within one at 23-22, but Brazil scored the final two points for the victory. The U.S. was hurt by seven team errors in the first set while Brazil committed only four. Sander led the U.S. with eight points on six kills, one block and one ace. The U.S. and Brazil kept things close in the second set as well. The United States led 8-7 at the first technical timeout (TTO) and 16-15 at the second. Brazil seemed to have the upper hand as it pulled out to a 23-21 lead, but the U.S. scored the final four points of the set to pull out the victory. The U.S. led 3-1 in the third set and 8-5 at the first TTO, getting points off two kills from Ciarelli, two from Sander, two from Davis and one from Clark along with an ace by Shoji. The U.S. Men extended the lead to 16-11 at the second TTO. With the U.S. leading 21-15, Brazil scored three straight points to pull to within three before Ciarelli ended the run with a kill. The U.S. reached set point at 24-20 on an attack by Clark. Brazil scored once more before the U.S. won it on a Brazilian error. Brazil took a 4-1 lead in the fourth set and led 8-5 at the first TTO. The U.S. got points on two kills from Clark and one each by Ciarelli, Sander and Davis. The U.S. cut the lead to one at 11-10 before Brazil went on a three-point run to lead 14-10. The U.S. tied the score at 15-15. The teams battled back and forth until the score was tied 18-18 and the U.S. scored two straight points on a Brazil error and Clark kill. Brazil never caught up. The U.S. was leading 23-22 when it scored the final two points on a Ciarelli attack and Clark ace.

2012 Pan American Cup

Tony Ciarelli attacks against Brazil’s blockers. (NORCECA photo)

Carson Clarks gets emotional. (NORCECA photo)

Kawika Shoji, far left, and Shawn Patchell, second from left pose at the press conference with Brazil. (NORCECA photo)

61

2012 Pan American CupU.S. MEN TOP DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; WILL FACE ARGENTINA

USA .................................25 23 25 25 15 Dominican Republic .........21 25 22 27 12

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (July 13, 2011) – A young group of players from the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team will play Argentina in the finals of the Pan American Cup on July 14 after outlasting the Dominican Republic, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 25-27, 15-12 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The U.S. Men (4-0) will play Argentina (4-0) for the gold medal. Dominican Republic (3-2) will face Brazil (3-2) for the bronze. The U.S. Men led the Dominican Republic in kills (63-59) and blocks (12-10). The Dominicans led in aces (10-4) and digs (29-19). The U.S. took advantage of 34 Dominican errors while giving up 28 points on errors. The score was tied 7-7 in the fifth-set tiebreaker when the U.S. Men scored twice on a Dominican error and Rawson block. The U.S. reached match point at 14-11. The Dominican came back to score before the U.S. won it on a Dominican error. “The Dominican Republic has made amazing improvement since I saw them in California (at the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier),” U.S. Head Coach Shawn Patchell said. “Their serves kept us off balance.” U.S. outside hitter Taylor Sander (Huntington Beach, Calif.) led his team with 22 points on a team-high 19 kills (54.3 kill percent, .400 hitting efficiency), one block and a team-high two aces. Opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) added 15 points on 14 attacks (50.0 kill percent, .357 hitting efficiency) and one block. Outside hitter Tony Ciarelli (Huntington Beach, Calif.) contributed 10 points on nine attacks and one block. Middle blocker Matt Rawson (Los Angeles) totaled nine points on four kills and a team-high five blocks. Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia (Oceanside, Calif.) scored seven points on six attacks and one ace. Opposite Carson Clark (Santa Barbara, Calif.) added five points on five attacks. Setter Kawika Shoji (Hawaii) finished with five points on two kills, two blocks and one ace. He was credited with 15 assists and set the team to a 50.4 kill percent and a .376 hitting efficiency. The Dominican had a 40.4 kill percent and a .226 hitting efficiency. The Dominican Republic’s Elvis Contreras led all scorers with 28 points on 22 kills, one block and five aces. U.S. libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) was credited with a team-high nine digs and 10 excellent receptions. Sander led in excellent receptions with 13. Patchell started Sander and Ciarelli at outside hitter, Rawson and Dan McDonnell (Glendale, Ariz.) at middle blocker, Clark at opposite, Shoji at setter and Watten at libero. Davis substituted for McDonnell in the first set and started the next four. Troy took over for Clark in the second set and started the next three. Muagututia substituted for Ciarelli in the second set and started the third and fourth before Ciarelli returned to start the fifth. Outside hitter Jordan Dufault (Lakewood, Calif.) played as a substitute.

Dustin Watten celebrates a great play. (NORCECA photo)

Matt Rawson attacks against Dominican Republic off a set from Kawika Shoji, left. (NORCECA photo)

Murphy Troy attacks against Dominican Republic. (NORCECA photo)Dylan Davis blocks against the Dominican Republic. (NORCECA photo)

62

U.S. MEN BRINGING HOME PAN AMERICAN GOLD MEDALS

USA .................................29 25 25 Argentina .........................27 20 11

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (July 14, 2011) – A group of young players from the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team defeated Argentina, 29-27, 25-20, 25-11 to win the gold medal at the Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The U.S. Men, some of whom could be on the U.S. Olympic volleyball team in 2016, finished the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record. Argentina finished second at 4-1.

It is the fifth time the U.S. Men have won the tournament since it started in 2006. U.S. outside hitter Taylor Sander (Huntington Beach, Calif.) was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Outside hitter Tony Ciarelli (Huntington Beach, Calif.) was named Best Attacker and Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) earned Best Defense honors. The U.S. Men led Argentina in kills (46-30), blocks (5-4), aces (3-1) and digs (29-18). After close contests in the first two sets, the U.S. Men blew the third set wide open, leading 16-6 at the second technical timeout (TTO) and scoring the last three points of the match. U.S. opposite Carson Clark (Santa Barbara, Calif.) led all scorers with 19 points on a match-high 18 kills (62.1 kill percent, .517 hitting efficiency) and one ace. Sander added 10 points on nine attacks and one block. Ciarelli finished with seven points on seven kills. Middle blocker Dylan Davis (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) and middle blocker Matt Rawson each scored six points and each had four attacks and two blocks. Opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) compiled four points on two attacks and two aces. Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia (Oceanside, Calif.) totaled two points on two attacks. U.S. setter Kawika Shoji (Honolulu) was credited with 11 assists as he set the U.S. Men to a 48.4 kill percent and a .379 hitting efficiency. Argentina finished with a 30.0 kill percent and a .140 hitting efficiency.

Watten was credited with nine digs and seven excellent receptions. Sander led in receptions with eight. U.S. Head Coach Shawn Patchell (Huntington Beach, Calif.) started Muagututia and Sander at outside hitter, Davis and Rawson at middle blocker, Clark at opposite, Shoji at setter and Watten at libero. Ciarelli substituted in the first set for Muagututia and started the rest of the match. Opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.), outside hitter Jordan Dufault (Lakewood, Calif.) and setter Ryan Ammerman (Parker, Colo.) played as substitutes. In the first set, the U.S. Men held leads of 8-6 and 11-9. Argentina came back to tie the score at 13-13 and the teams traded points. Argentina seemed to have the set in hand when it reached set point at 24-22.

But the U.S. came back with a Sander kill, Argentina error and Troy ace to take its own set point at 25-24. The U.S. would take set point again at 26-25 and 27-26. Finally, the U.S. took set point No. 4 at 28-27 on a Ciarelli kill and won the set on Argentina’s error. With the score tied 9-9 in the second set, the U.S. scored four unanswered points on a Clark attack, block by Sander and two Argentina errors to lead 13-9. Argentina closed the gap at 21-20, but then stopped scoring as the U.S. scored the final four points of the set, including three Argentina errors and a Sander attack, for the victory. The U.S. Men led 7-5 in the third set when Team USA used a 7-0 run to build a significant lead. Clark had two kills in the run while Sander, Davis and Ciarelli each had one. The U.S. Men went on to lead 16-6 at the second TTO and scored the final three points of the match for the victory.

2012 Pan American Cup

Dustin Watten, second from left, Taylor Sander (22) and Tony Ciarelli (12) pose with their “Best Player” awards. (NORCECA photo)

Taylor Sander shows his MVP award. (NORCECA photo)

The U.S. Men receive the Pan American Cup trophy as the tournament champions. (NORCECA photo)

63

Back row, standing, from left: Dr. William Stetson, Athletic Trainer Aaron Brock, Assistant Coach Ron Larsen, Technical Coordinator Chris Jackson, Sean Rooney, David Lee, Clay Stanley, Matt Anderson, Russell Holmes, David Smith, Head Coach Alan Knipe, Team Leader Rob Browning, Scout Coach Mike Seely, Assistant Coach John SperawFront row, from left: Reid Priddy, David McKienzie, Donald Suxho, Rich Lambourne, Paul Lotman, Brian ThorntonMissing: Assistant Coach Gary Sato Scout Coach Andy Read

2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team2012 Olympic Games

64

Donald Suxho (7), David Lee (4) and Matt Anderson (1) block a Serbia attack. (FIVB photo)

Reid Priddy attacks against Serbia’s block. (FIVB photo)

7/29 1 2 3 USA 25 25 25SRB 17 22 21

U.S. Men Open with Impressive Sweep over SerbiaLONDON (July 29, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team opened its Olympic Games title defense with 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 win over Serbia Sunday afternoon in London as first-time Olympian Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) shined with 18 points.

The Americans raced to a 13-4 lead in the opening set on a 9-1 scoring run and cruised to a 25-16 victory. Team USA recovered from an early 5-1 deficit in the second set to tie it at 9-all, then used a 6-0 run with four blocks to erase a 19-17 deficit going on to win 25-22. Overall, the U.S. tallied nine blocks in the second set. Team USA started the third set with a 13-4 lead that included four blocks, but needed to hold off a furious Serbia charge to win 25-21.

“I thought there were a lot of good things we did, but probably better than most was the attention to detail especially our blocking defense, our transition; just the out-of –system plays created a lot of opportunities to score points,” U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Coach Alan Knipe said. “Obviously we started out well in the first and third sets and we were able to keep that cushion. In the second set we were faced with not a nice start and we were able to come back and chip away at it and not really deal with a lot of panic.”

Anderson tallied 16 kills on 23 attacks with two blocks for 18 points.

“Yeah, I was,” Anderson said about whether he entered the match nervous. “I was nervous that I was going to be nervous. I was lucky that I wasn’t nervous.”

Clay Stanley chipped in 13 points with nine kills and four blocks. Reid Priddy tallied nine points on four kills, three blocks and two aces. David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) contributed seven points on two kills, three blocks and two aces. Russell Holmes charted three kills and three blocks for six points. Donald Suxho rounded out the scoring with a block and ace for two points.

Suxho ran the offense to a 46.7 kill percent and .227 hitting efficiency (35-18-75) with 27 running sets on 57 set attempts. Anderson contributed 15 excellent receptions on 17 errorless attempts. Priddy added a team-high five digs to go with a team-high 16 excellent receptions on 24 attempts.

“I thought there were ebbs and flows in this match, which kept us honest and made us focused on what at hand,” Priddy said. “Overall there was the right amount of effort. You saw some really high points where we scored a succession of points - which put us ahead in the first set and allowed us to catch up in the second. The best part of our play was these point surges. We now need to have a better follow-up to them.”

Knipe started Priddy and Anderson at outside hitter, Lee and Holmes at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite and Suxho at setter. Lambourne is the designated libero for the tournament. Paul Lotman and David Smith were subs in the opening set.

Team USA out-blocked Serbia 16-11 as both teams served five aces and totaled 19 digs. The Americans held Serbia to a .115 hitting efficiency (34-24-87).

“We feel like we’ve played well this summer,” Knipe said on the team’s expectations at the Olympics.

“We played well at NORCECA, we played well in the finals of World League. Right now we’re going to worry about what we can control and that’s our next match.”

Marko Podrascanin led Serbia with 13 points, while Aleksandar Atanasijevic added 12 points.

(Left) David Lee blasts a kill past the Serbia block. (Right) Clay Stanley has reason to smile with an opening victory. (FIVB photo)

USA fans watching the U.S. Men defeat Serbia. (FIVB photo)

65

Matt Anderson hits over the Serbia block (FIVB photo)

66

Clay Stanley (13), Russell Holmes (12) and Reid Priddy (8) form a block-ing wall against Germany. (FIVB photo)

Reid Priddy serves against Germany. (FIVB Photo)

7/31 1 2 3 USA 25 25 25GER 23 16 20

U.S. Men Blitz Germany in Sweep, Improve to 2-0LONDON (July 31, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team defeated Germany 25-23, 25-16, 25-20 on July 31 during an Olympic Games Pool B match at Earls Court in London.

Team USA, ranked fifth in the world and the defending Olympic Games champion, improved to 2-0 with six points in Pool B. The Americans continues Pool B on Thursday against Brazil at 8 p.m. local time (noon PT). Team USA, with three Olympic Games titles to its credit, has now won 10 straight matches in Olympic Games competition.

Less than a month ago, Germany edged out Team USA in a five-set thriller during the FIVB World League Final Round pool play. However, the Americans bounced back in that that tournament and finished with the silver medal.

After falling behind 4-0 in the first set, the U.S. scored the next four points and the rest of tight with no team leading by more than two points. Team USA scored the final three points of the set to rally from a 23-22 deficit to win 25-23. The Americans pushed out to a 17-11 lead in the second set on a 6-1 run and closed out the set with the final four points for a 25-16 victory. Team USA separated from Germany in the third set with a 5-1 scoring run to take a 14-8 lead, then expanded its advantage to 21-14 late before holding off Germany down the stretch for a 25-20 victory.

“Tonight was a completely different feel than the last match where we got off to a really good start on the scoreboard,” U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Alan Knipe said. “Tonight, (Germany) got behind the end line and served well and right out of the gate got us down. I thought our guys did a really good job of staying composed and getting the side out we needed after the time out. My comment to them was that we didn’t need to get it all back in one serve, and then Clay went and got it all back in one serve.”

Clay Stanley collected a Team USA-high 16 points with 13 kills on 18 attacks, two aces and a block. Matt Anderson contributed 11 kills on 20 attacks, three aces and a block for 15 points. Russell Holmes turned in five kills on seven attacks with four blocks for nine points. Reid Priddy pocketed seven kills and an ace for eight points, which was matched by David Lee as he had five kills on eight attacks and three blocks. Donald Suxho rounded out the scoring with two blocks.

Suxho tallid 35 running sets on 58 assist attempts leading to a 56.2 kill percent and .438 hitting efficiency (41-9-73). Anderson provided 17 excellent receptions on 24 attempts, while Suxho was the U.S. leader in digs with five.

Knipe started Priddy and Anderson at outside hitter, Lee and Holmes at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite and Suxho at setter. Rich Lambourne is the designated libero for the tournament. Paul Lotman was a sub in all three sets, while David McKienzie was a sub in the first and third sets.

The U.S. held a commanding 11-4 block advantage in the match and held a 6-4 margin in aces. Germany managed a slim 25-22 edge in digs and 27-26 cushion in excellent receptions. However, Team USA’s 53.1 excellent reception percent was better than Germany’s 44.3 percent. Further, the U.S. limited Germany to a 37.0 kill percent and .161 hitting efficiency (30-17-81).

“It was good, but wasn’t clean all the time,” Priddy said about the match. “We worked together and worked hard, as well as showing a lot of composure. I’m quite happy, it’s not going to look perfect all the time.”

Germany was led by Grorgy Grozer’s 12 points as he was the only player in double-digit scoring.

Team USA celebrates a key point against Germany. (FIVB photo)

Reid Priddy giant cut-out face and wobble-head doll. (FIVB photo)

67

Donald Suxho sets David Lee. (FIVB photo)

68

Rich Lambourne dives to keep the ball in play against Brazil. (FIVB photo)

Donald Suxho (7), David Lee (4) and Matt Anderson combine to stop a Brazil attack. (FIVB Photo)

8/2 1 2 3 4 USA 23 27 25 25BRA 25 25 19 17U.S. Men Rally to Upset Top-Ranked Brazil

LONDON (Aug. 2, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team upset top-ranked Brazil 23-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-17 on Aug. 2 in a battle of undefeated teams during an Olympic Games Pool B match at Earls Court in London. The match produced identical results as the 2008 Olympic Games gold-medal match with the U.S. coming out on top.

Brazil came back from a 23-22 deficit in the opening set to win 25-23 with consecutive aces. The second set was full of roller coaster moments as Brazil scored eight straight points to overcome a 19-13 deficit. The U.S. recovered to take a 24-22 advantage, only to have Brazil save two set points and take a 25-24 lead. Team USA responded with the final peak with three straight points to close out the 27-25 victory. The U.S. used a 6-1 spurt in the third set to take a commanding 20-15 advantage and went on to win 25-19 as Brazil had troubles gaining momentum with five service errors. The Americans broke a 10-all tie in the fourth set with a 7-0 scoring run and ran away with a 25-17 victory to close out the match.

“The thing that stands out probably the most to me is that we got better as the match went on,” U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Coach Alan Knipe said. “We passed the ball better, we blocked better and we served the ball better. We were much better in counter attack and in transition. I was happy with the team composure after losing the first set.”

Team USA opposite Clay Stanley led all scorers with 19 points with 16 kills on 29 attacks and three aces. Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) added 17 points via 14 kills on 26 attacks, two aces and a block. Matt Anderson collected 11 kills on 26 attacks, two aces and a block for 14 points.

“We hung in there,” Priddy said. “We were tight in the beginning and tried to do too much defense. They are a great team, and we are really glad to beat one of the world-class teams. There are six teams that can do well in the rest of the tournament, so we need to work hard. We improved from the last match, which was important. We don’t just need to win, we need to improve.”

David Lee contributed seven kills on 10 errorless attacks and two blocks for nine points. Russell Holmes pocketed seven kills on eight swings, on ace and once block for nine points. Donald Suxho tacked on two kills and a block, while David McKienzie rounded out the scoring with an ace.

Suxho provided 49 running sets on 81 assist attempts as the Americans converted 56.4 percent of its attacks with a .465 hitting efficiency (57-10-101). He added a team-high nine digs in the victory. Anderson was credited with a team-leading 21 excellent receptions on 27 attempts along with seven digs. Stanley and Rich Lambourne handled eight digs each.

“It was an important match,” Suxho said. “We worked hard and got better by sticking together and trusting each other more. (Brazil) is the best team in the world. The first set it was all them and we had to adapt and change for the second set.”

Knipe started Priddy and Anderson at outside hitter, Lee and Holmes at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite and Suxho at setter. Lambourne is the designated libero for the tournament. McKienzie was a serving sub in all but the second set, while David Smith was subbed into the contest in the first two sets. Paul Lotman appeared briefly in the third set.

Team USA held advantages in all three scoring categories: 57-56 in kills, 6-2 in blocks and 9-5 in aces. Further, Brazil committed 28 errors including 17 on the service line to the Americans’ 23 errors. In addition, the U.S. held a 39-31 margin in digs. Brazil converted 50.9 percent of its attacks, but with only a .364 hitting efficiency (56-16-110) as 16 errors proved costly.

Leandro Vissotto paced Brazil with 15 points in the match.

Reid Priddy (8), David Lee (4) and Clay Stanley (13) force the Brazil attack high and wide. (FIVB photo)

Team USA celebrates its victory over Brazil. (FIVB photo)

69

Reid Priddy connects with the ball as Russell Holmes (12) and Donald Suxho (7) are ready for the cover. (FIVB photo)

70

(Left) David Lee wins a joust against Russia. (Right) David Lee attacks against Russia without a blocker above the net. (FIVB photo)

Russell Holmes blasts a spike through the Russia block with Rich Lam-bourne in the background ready for the cover. (FIVB Photo)

8/4 1 2 3 4 5USA 29 25 24 16 8RUS 27 19 26 25 15

U.S. Men Fall to Russia for First Olympic Loss in 2012LONDON (Aug. 4, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team lost to No. 2 Russia 27-29, 19-25, 26-24, 25-16, 15-8 on Aug. 4 after it held a match point in the third set in a Pool B match during the Olympic Games at London’s Earls Court.

The U.S., which had its 11-match Olympic Games win streak dating back to the 2008 Beijing Games snapped, still led the group standing despite the loss.

“The good thing is we can learn from this,” U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Alan Knipe said. “There’s a lot of things that we know on our side of the net we can do better. We also get a point. We wanted to win, but we do get a point and stay in the driver’s seat in the pool.”

The U.S. rallied from a 19-14 deficit in the opening set to win 29-27 on its fifth set point opportunity as Russia committed 15 errors. The Americans broke a 12-all tie in the second set with a 4-0 run, then tallied five of the final six points to capture a 25-19 victory with its seventh block of the set. Russia battled back from a 22-19 deficit in the third set, and after saving one match point, closed out the set 26-24 with an ace to extend the match. Russia built a 12-4 lead in the fourth set and withstood a Team USA challenge that narrowed the gap to 13-11, then controlled the rest of the set for a 25-16 win. Russia raced out to a 6-2 lead in the tiebreaker and continued to build its advantage to a 15-8 final.

Matt Anderson topped the U.S. in scoring with 16 kills on 32 attacks, one block and one ace for 18 points. Clay Stanley added 14 points via 12 kills on 37 swings and two blocks. David Lee charted 12 points on eight kills on 12 attacks and four blocks. Reid Priddy chipped in five kills, four blocks and two aces for 11 points. Sean Rooney came off the bench to score five kills and two blocks for seven points. Russell Holmes tallied five points and David McKienzie scored three aces on 10 serves as a serving sub.

Rich Lambourne totaled a team-high nine digs, while Anderson contributed 25 excellent receptions on 40 errorless attempts. Donald Suxho provided 44 running sets as the U.S. offense converted 37.7 percent of its attacks with a .169 hitting efficiency (49-27-130).

“I think (Russia) made some changes to their personnel and they started to serve really aggressively,” Lee said. “They put us in a bad position where we couldn’t side out and we couldn’t run our offense.”

Knipe started Priddy and Anderson at outside hitter, Lee and Holmes at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite and Suxho at setter. Lambourne is the U.S. designated libero for the Olympic Games. McKienzie was a serving sub in all five sets, while Rooney came on as a sub in the fourth set for Priddy and started the fifth set. David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) was a sub in the first, third and fourth sets. Paul Lotman (Lakewookd, Calif.) was a sub in the first and third sets.

Russia used a formidable block to rally with nine blocks in the final three sets to take a 16-15 block advantage. Russia also held margins of 8-6 in aces and 67-49 in kills. Russia overcame 15 errors in the first set with just 17 the rest of the match. Russia converted 48.2 percent of its attacks with a .309 hitting efficiency (67-24-139) to make up for 20 service errors.

“I thought Russia made some good adjustments,” Holmes said. “They brought guys in and we didn’t adjust well and adapt well to the changes they were making.”

Maxim Mikhaylov led Russia with 27 points on 23 kills, two blocks and two aces. Sergey Tetyukhin added 21 points with 17 kills, two blocks and two aces. Matt Anderson hits above the Russia triple block. (FIVB photo)

Team USA and Russia lineup for the team introductions. (FIVB Photo)

71

Team USA breaks the timeout against Russia. (FIVB photo)

72

Team USA and Tunisia during the pre-match handshake and gift ex-change. (FIVB photo)

Team USA celebrates a point versus Tunisia. (FIVB Photo)

8/6 1 2 3 USA 25 25 25TUN 15 19 19

U.S. Men Sweep Tunisia to Claim Pool BLONDON (Aug. 6, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team, ranked fifth in the world and defending Olympic Games champion, defeated Tunisia 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 on Aug. 6 at Earls Court in London to finish atop the Olympic Games Pool B.

Team USA finished the preliminary round with 13 points and a 4-1 record. The Americans needed to win to guarantee themselves as the top seed out of Pool B.

Using a roster with three different starters than the previous four pool matches, the U.S. broke a 3-all tie in the opening set with a 7-0 run and close the set on a 5-2 run for a 25-15 victory.

The Americans out-blocked Tunisia 5-1 in the set. Team USA built a 13-8 lead in the second set and overcame 10 errors to capture the set 25-18. The American took a 9-4 lead in the early stages of the third set and handled the end game with a 25-19 victory.

David McKienzie received his first Olympic Games start and piled up a match-high 17 points with 14 kills on 25 attacks, two aces and a block. Sean Rooney, also in his first start of the 2012 Olympics, tallied eight kills on 14 swings and four blocks for 12 points. Matt Anderson contributed 10 points via nine kills on 18 attempts and a block.

“We have some guys who haven’t played much who are extremely talented and they’re fresh, full of energy and delighted to get their opportunity,” U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team Head Coach Alan Knipe said. “I think there have been some really good things to come out of the pool stage and that’s a good example.”

Russell Holmes chipped in a match-high five blocks with four kills for nine points. David Smith charted five kills on six swings with two aces and a block for eight points. Paul Lotman added two points and Donald Suxho rounded out the scoring with a point.

“We played well and we were focused, organized and enjoying the match,” McKienzie said. “We have been playing increasingly better and I think we have more to show.”

“Every match we play, we have been able to get better in some part of our game,” Knipe said. “Now we’re moving into the second phase and I know that the guys are excited to get out there.”

Suxho totaled 25 running sets on 34 set attempts, while Brian Thornton added 15 running sets in a reserve role. The two setters helped the U.S. offense to a 56.8 kill percent and .432 hitting efficiency (42-10-74).

Rooney recorded a team-high nine digs and added nine excellent receptions on 12 attempts. Rich Lambourne collected six digs and a team-high 15 excellent receptions on 20 attempts.

Knipe started Smith and Holmes at middle blocker, Anderson and Rooney at outside hitter, McKienzie at opposite and Suxho at setter. Lambourne is the U.S. designated libero for the Olympic Games. Thornton was a sub in the first two sets and started the third set in place of Suxho. Lotman was a late sub in the third set.

The Americans held a commanding 15-3 margin in blocks along with a 4-2 edge in aces. The U.S. tallied 42 kills to Tunisia’s 27. Team USA also edged Tunisia 27-25 in digs.

Tunisia was led in scoring by Ismail Moalla’s nine points in a reserve role, while Hichem Kaabi pocketed eight points off the bench.

Fans of the USA surround a London Games volunteer with several cam-eras recording the moment. (FIVB photo)

David Smith (20) puts up a block with David McKienzie to his side against Tunisia. (FIVB Photo)

73

Russell Holmes (12) attacks as Sean Rooney (2), Rich Lambourne (5) and Donald Suxho, lower left, watch. (FIVB photo)

74

(Left) Reid Priddy hits to the side of the Italy block. (Right) Donald Suxho ties up the Italy attack. (FIVB Photos)

8/8 1 2 3 USA 26 20 20ITA 28 25 25

U.S. Men End Olympic Run with Loss to ItalyLONDON (Aug. 8, 2012) – The U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Team, ranked fifth in the world and defending Olympic Games champion, had its dream of repeating history stopped on Aug. 8 with a 28-26, 25-20, 25-20 loss to Italy in the quarterfinal round at Earls Court in London.

Team USA finishes the 2012 Olympic Games with a 5-1 overall record and in a tie for fifth after finishing atop Pool B.

The U.S. recovered from a 21-19 deficit in the first set to take three set points, only to have Italy save all three and serve its third ace of the set for the 28-26 victory. The Americans tallied eight blocks in the opening set. Italy used a 7-1 scoring run to come back from a 16-15 deficit in the second set and benefited from three aces and eight Team USA errors to win 25-20. Italy built a 10-6 advantage in the third set with a 6-0 scoring run on aggressive serving to recover from an early 6-4 hole en route finishing the match with a 25-20 set win.

“It was frustrating for us,” U.S. Olympic Men’s Volleyball Coach Alan Knipe said. “When we look back at this we will see we had lots of opportunities to win the first set. We came in with a really good game plan and when we were in our game plan and executing it, we were winning points.”

Clay Stanley led the U.S. with 16 points via 12 kills on 28 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Reid Priddy added eight points on five kills, two blocks and an ace. David Lee totaled seven points on four kills and three blocks. Matt Anderson tacked on seven points, all on kills.

Russell Holmes turned in seven points with five kills and two blocks. Sean Rooney rounded out the scoring with a kill in a reserve role.

Anderson, in his first Olympic Games, was credited with 17 excellent receptions on 27 attempts, but with three faults. Donald Suxho tallied 33 running sets and seven digs, while Rich Lambourne provided six digs and nine excellent receptions.

“Italy played great and found their rhythm,” Stanley said. “They turned it up a notch and we turned it down. We worked four years for this. It’s kind of tough.”

Knipe started Anderson and Priddy at outside hitter, Lee and Holmes at middle blocker, Stanley at opposite and Suxho at setter. Lambourne is the U.S. designated libero for the Olympic Games. David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) was a serving sub in all three sets, while David Smith came on in the first and third sets. Rooney was a sub in the second and third sets.

Italy’s serve proved to a major difference in the match with a 9-2 ace advantage and consistently keeping the American offense out of system. Team USA converted 41.0 percent of its attacks into points, but 14 errors led to a .241 hitting efficiency. In contrast, Italy converted 42.4 percent of its attacks with a .253 hitting efficiency. The U.S. managed a 10-8 advantage in blocks for the match, but eight of those blocks came in the opening set.

“We had some chances tonight, including the first set, but we didn’t capitalize on them,” Lee said. “Italy served us tough, and I give them credit for that.”

Italian captain Cristian Savani produced a match-high 19 points including four aces, while Ivan Zaytsev totaled 16 points with 15 kills on 28 attacks. Italy’s setter Dragan Travica’s serve netted four of the team’s nine aces.

“It’s kind of hard to put things into perspective straight after a loss,” Rooney said. “We put together a great performance in pool play, and it was about putting ourselves in the best position to win gold.” A U.S. timeout attempting to regroup against Italy. (FIVB photo)

Donald Suxho sets up David Lee against Italy. (FIVB Photo)

75

Reid Priddy passes against Italy. (FIVB photo)

76

No. 1 Matt AndersonOutside Hitter * 6-10

West Seneca, N.Y.College: Penn State

Birth Year: 1987Joined Team: 2008

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship… London Volleyball International Invitational… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship. FIVB World League. 2009 – Brazil Tour... FIVB World League. 2008 – America’s Cup... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship. 2006 – NORCECA Men’s Junior Continental Championship (Silver Medal). 2005 – Four Nation Tournament.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Was the youngest player on the Men’s National Team and finished season as the team’s leading scorer with 393 points on a team-leading 326 kills, 42 blocks and 25 aces (second highest on team). Started 96 out of 97 sets. Hitting efficiency was .440. Credited with 103 digs (1.07 per set), third best on the team… Started all 21 sets of the Olympic Games and was the team’s leading scorer with 81 points on 69 kills (.390 hitting efficiency), six aces and six blocks. Tourney-high was 18 points (16 attacks, one block, one ace) scored in 3-2 loss to Russia. Finished eighth in kills among all Olympic players. Credited with 61 digs (2.9 per set)… Played in all 60 World League sets and was the team’s leading scorer, finishing with 248 points on a team-leading 205 kills, 32 blocks and 11 aces. Fifth among all World League scorers at the end of pool play. Tourney-high was 21 points scored against Korea on June 16… Named “Best Spiker” at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament on May 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif. Played in 15 out of 16 sets. Was the team’s leading scorer, finishing with 64 points on 52 kills, four blocks, and eight aces. Hitting efficiency was 0.585. Scored a tourney-high 24 points against Cuba… During the winter of 2011-12, played for Casa Modena in Italy’s Serie A League. 2011 – Played in more sets than any other U.S. Men’s player in 2011 and was the team’s leading scorer with 493 points on 420 kills, 39 blocks and 34 aces. His kill percent for the season was 48.7 and his hitting efficiency was .414. He was third on the team in digs with 125… Played in 32 sets of the FIVB World Cup and was the team’s leading scorer with 158 points on 139 kills, five blocks and 14 aces. He was the team leader in attacks and fourth overall. His kill percent was 52.5 and his hitting efficiency was .479. The U.S. Men finished sixth… Was the team’s leading scorer at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship on Sept. 3-11 in Puerto Rico…Finished with 67 points on 57 kills, four blocks and six aces… His hitting efficiency was 0.468 and his kill percent was 52… Was the team’s second-leading scorer at the London Volleyball International Invitational on July 20-24 where the U.S. Men placed third. He finished with 58 points (3.87 per set) on 47 kills (3.13 per set), seven blocks (0.47 per set) and four aces (0.27 per set)… Started 52 sets of the 2011 FIVB World League for the U.S. Men and was the team’s leading scorer with 210 points (4.04 per set) on 177 kills (3.40 per set), 23 blocks (0.44 per set) and 10 aces (0.19 per set). The U.S. Men finished seventh at World League. The U.S. Men finished seventh at World League… During the winter of 2010-11, Matt played for Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia in Italy’s Serie A League. 2010 – Finished the season as the U.S. Men’s fifth-leading scorer with 112 points and an average of 3.20 points per set. He had 94 kills on 235 attempts. He was third on the team in aces with eight (0.23 per set)... Played in four sets for the U.S. Men at the FIVB World Championship in Italy. Scored seven points on six kills and one ace. The U.S. Men placed sixth… Played in 31 sets of the FIVB World League where he tallied 83 kills (2.68 per set) and his 212 total attempts was third on the team. He ranked 31st among the League’s best attackers and he finished third on the team with 3.06 points per set. He also totaled 95 points, 7 aces (0.14 per set) and 18 digs (0.37 per set). 2009 – Had a serious case of pneumonia during the 2009 summer season, but still finished sixth on the team in scoring with 71 points in 21 sets (3.38 points per set). Finished the 2009 season averaging 2.9 kills per set with a hitting

percentage of 0.419. After returning from pneumonia, Started four out of five matches during the U.S. Men’s Brazil Tour on Sept. 22-27. The U.S. Men - a group of veterans and newer players - did not win a match. Was the high scorer with 10 points in the team’s final match in Brazil... Started five World League matches before falling ill with pneumonia and sitting out the rest of the tournament. He finished with 69 points on 58 kills, eight blocks and three aces (21 sets). He was the high scorer with 11 points in the team’s victory on June 26 in China. The team went on to win its pool and finish sixth in the final round… During the winter of 2009, played for the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in Korea. 2008 – Played on the U.S. Men’s Team that traveled to Cuiaba, Brazil for the America’s Cup in September. The team finished fifth. Scored 44 points on 39 kills and five blocks in three matches (13 sets)... Was a member of the U.S. Men’s team that won gold at the 2008 Pan American Cup on June 2-7 in Winnipeg, Manitoba... He scored 29 points on 25 kills, two blocks and two aces during the tournament... Was a member of the U.S. Men’s Training Team that traveled to Japan from May 17-25 to help prepare the Japanese National team for Olympic qualification. 2007 – Started at outside hitter for the Men’s Junior National Team that finished seventh at the FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship in Rabat, Morocco... Recorded 91 total points for an average of 3.37 points per game, racked up 77 kills (2.85 kills per game) and added four aces, 10 blocks and 32 digs. 2006 – Was a member of the Men’s Junior National Team that finished second at the NORCECA Men’s Junior Continental Championship and qualified for the 2007 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship. 2005 – Was a member of the U.S. Boys Youth National Team that competed at the Four Nation Tournament in Cabo Frio, Brazil.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 – Left Penn State after his junior year to play for the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers, a professional volleyball club in Korea… As a junior, was AVCA Co-Player of the Year with Paul Lotman of Long Beach State… Penn State won the NCAA National Championship with a victory over Pepperdine in the final... Named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament... AVCA All-American first team... EIVA Player of the Year... First Team All-EIVA... Led the Nittany Lions with 5.64 kills per game on .390 hitting... A two-time EIVA Player of the Week... AVCA National Player of the Week on Feb. 11. 2007 – AVCA Second Team All-America... First Team All-EIVA... EIVA Championship All-Tournament Team... Averaged 4.35 kills per game as an opposite... Added 33 service aces, good for second on the team and ninth on the all-time single-season chart... Provided 104 total digs and 69 total blocks, good for averages of 1.02 digs per game and 0.68 blocks per game... Set a new career high and Penn State rally-scoring-era record with 35 kills (on .452 hitting) in the five-game win at No. 4 UC Santa Barbara (3/12). 2006 – Second Team All-East... Played in 91 games and all 30 matches... Averaged 2.21 kills per game, 0.16 service aces per game, 1.09 digs per game and 0.62 blocks per game.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB HIGHLIGHTS: Attended West Seneca West High School (N.Y.) and led the boys’ volleyball team to a 17-0 regular-season record during his senior season... Squad was the 2004 Division I champions and Matt served as team captain... Matt was a member of the Eden Volleyball Club in Eden, N.Y.

PERSONAL: Born Matthew John Anderson in 1987, in Buffalo, N.Y.... Mother is Nancy Anderson. Matthew’s father, Michael Anderson, died in January 2010... Has three older sisters, Jennifer, Joelle and Amy and one older brother Joshua, one brother-in-law Rialdo, two nephews Aedan and Tristin and two nieces, Alexis and Juliana... Sister Joelle played volleyball at the College of Saint Rose... Sister Amy played volleyball and basketball at Hilbert College... Names Oasis as favorite musical entertainer, buffalo wings from Buffalo, N.Y., as favorite food, and Top Gun as favorite movie... Majored in kinesiology at Penn State.

Courtesy of FIVB

77

No. 15 Gabe GardnerOpposite * 6-10

San Clemente, CaliforniaCollege: StanfordBirth Year: 1976

Joined Team: 1999

Courtesy of FIVBCourtesy of FIVB

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – FIVB World League. 2011 – FIVB World League 2008 – Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... Four Nations’ Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2006 – FIVB World Championships... FIVB World League... Argentina Tour. 2005 – FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal). 2004 – NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... Japan Tour... Houston Series... USA Global Challenge (Gold Medal)... Serbia and Montenegro Tour (Silver Medal)... Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 2003 – Colorado/Nebraska Tour... Canada Tour... Pan American Games (Fourth Place)... World Cup (Fourth Place). 2002 – Dallas Tour... Six-Nation Tournament (Italy)... Louisville Tour. 1999 - Pan American Games. 1998 – France Trip... Portugal Trip. 1995 – World University Games.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Was an alternate on the 2012 Olympic Team roster... Competed in seven World League sets, scoring seven points on seven kills. 2011 – Gabe was part of the 2011 FIVB World League preliminary roster. He played 10 sets in four matches in Poland and Puerto Rico and did not score.... Following the 2008 Olympic Games, Gabe took a break from the U.S. Men’s National Team, but continued to play overseas in Russia (2008-2010) and Italy (2010-11). U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe asked Gabe to rejoin the team for the 2011 World League. 2008 – Gabe finished the 2008 season with 134 kills in 42 sets played (3.19 kills per set). He had a hitting percentage of 0.40. Gabe averaged .12 aces per set, .45 blocks per set and 1.17 digs per set... Gabe finished the 2008 Olympic Games with a gold medal and played in matches against China and Japan... Helped the U.S. Men win a gold medal at the FIVB World League. Scored 65 points in pool play with 55 kills, eight blocks and two aces... Helped the U.S. Men to a gold medal at the Four Nations Tournament on May 11-13 in Germany... Helped the U.S. Men win to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier in Caguas, Puerto Rico. 2007 – Gabe moved from outside hitter to opposite at the start of the 2007 season and adjusted well... Gabe finished the season as the team’s fourth-leading scorer with 329 points. He averaged 3.82 points per set. Averaged 3.27 kills per set... Gabe was the United States’ second-leading scorer and 18th overall at the FIVB World Cup where the U.S. Men finished fourth. He finished with 118 points on 101 kills, 12 blocks and five aces. His 101 kills was second best for the U.S. Men. Gabe was the leading scorer in three World Cup matches for the U.S. Men, including the final match agaainst Russia, in which he scored 21 points as the U.S. Men lost in five sets... Was the United States’ sixth-leading scorer of the NORCECA Continental Championship, where he shared time at opposite with Clay Stanley. Gabe finished with 27 points on 24 kills, one block and two aces... Gabe Was the United States’ leading “spiker”, and third overall, in World League pool play and was credited with a success percentage of 62.23. In the final round, he was credited with a 55.84 percent success rate, which was the best among the U.S. players and fourth overall. He was also the team’s second-leading scorer in both pool play and the final round. 2006 – Competed in the FIVB World League where the U.S. Men finished tied for 10th... Gabe helped the win the Argentina series 4-1. 2005 – Earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships. 2004 – Gabe made his first-ever Olympic

appearance in Athens, Greece as the USA Men finished fourth overall... Team USA qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caguas, Puerto Rico on Jan. 10... he men posted a perfect record of 6-0 en route to the gold medal, which included a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Cuba in the championship match... Scored 10 points on nine kills and one service ace in the championship match. 2003 – Returned from a leg injury suffered at the Pan American Games in August to play in the World Cup in November... Saw considerable action and finished seventh on the team in scoring with 62 points on 56 kills and six blocks. 2002 – Played in the first three tours of the season... Still ranked second on the team in kills per set (2.28) and fourth in points per set (2.70)... Was eighth on the team in kills (91) and in total points (108)... Scored 18 points (14 kills, three blocks, one ace) as the U.S. swept defending Olympic champion Yugoslavia on June 6 for its only win in Italy. 1999 – Started for the Pan American Games squad at outside hitter. 1998 – Led the team with 25 kills in a match against Portugal... Also tallied 16 kills in the last match of the series against Portugal.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: Played two seasons at USC and one year at Stanford. 1999 – Led Stanford with 6.79 kills per game in 47 games and 13 matches played... Despite missing nine matches, still second on the team with 319 kills... Ranked third on the squad with 1.64 digs per game. 1998 – Sat out a season after transferring from USC. 1997 – Played in 15 matches for USC before deciding to transfer... Was third on the team with 342 kills, hitting .308... Added 41 blocks, 90 digs and 13 aces... Posted 20 or more kills 11 times and hit the 30-plus kill plateau three times. 1996 – As a starter, led the Trojans with 490 kills, hitting .245... Ranked 11th nationally in kills per game (5.51)... Named to the Asics/Volleyball Magazine Freshmen All-America team.

PERSONAL: Born Gabriel Bryan Gardner in 1976 in San Diego, Calif.... Now calls Sacramento, Calif., home... Parents are Frank and Deborah Gardner... Has three brothers: Phinney, Zack and Nick... Phinney is a former member of the U.S. Water Polo national team and also played at UC Berkeley... Gabe and his wife Julie were married in Athens, Greece, in 2004, following the Olympic Games... In 2007, they welcomed son Harper to the family. In 2010 they had a second son, Finn... Gabe attended San Clemente (Calif.) High School and also was the goal keeper on the water polo team... Gabe was named the Orange County Athlete of the Year in 1995... Gabe graduated with a human biology degree from Stanford... While they were at Stanford, Gabe and now-wife Julie used to double-date with Google founder Sergey Brin and his then-girlfriend, who also went to Stanford. Brin was in the process of starting Google and once asked Gabe about working for the Web search engine, but Gabe chose volleyball instead... Enjoys surfing, beach volleyball and playing the guitar... Was an Overseas Pro League Champion twice (Argentina 2003 and Turkey 2005)... Gabe speaks fluent Spanish... Gabe retired from the U.S. Men’s Team following the 2008 Olympics, but played the winter of 2008-09 for Ural Ufa in the Russian Super League. Served as the USA Volleyball athlete representative to the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Athlete’s Advisory Council for the 2009-2012 and 2013-2016 quads.

78

No. 14 Kevin HansenSetter * 6-5

Newport Beach, CaliforniaCollege: StanfordBirth Year: 1982

Joined Team: 2005

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2011 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2008 – Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... Four Nations’ Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... Pan American Games (Silver Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2006 – FIVB World League... Argentina Tour. 2005 - World University Games (11th Place).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Was an alternate on the 2012 Olympic Team... Played the winter of 2011-12 for Arkas Izmir Spor in Turkey. 2011 – Kevin finished the season as the U.S. Men’s second leading setter with 145 assists and six faults in 502 attempts and 44 sets played. He also scored 23 points on nine kills, 11 blocks and three aces… Kevin played in eight sets of the FIVB World Cup where the U.S. Men finished sixth. He was credited with 74 assists and two faults on 178 attempts… Kevin started 17 out of 18 sets at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where the U.S. Men finished second to Cuba. He was credited with 71 assists (4.17 assists per set). He also scored 11 points on six kills and five blocks... Kevin played in 16 sets in five matches at the London Volleyball International Invitational on July 20-24. The U.S. Men finished third in the event. Kevin started 10 sets, including four in the final match against Brazil, which the U.S. lost 3-2… Kevin finished the London tournament with nine points on three kills, three blocks and three aces… Kevin saw limited playing time during the FIVB World League as he had to have his appendix removed shortly before the tournament started and also missed time for the birth of his daughter. 2010 – During the winter of During the winter of 2010-11, Kevin played for Fakel Novy Urengoi in Russia’s Superleague... Kevin finished the 2010 season, according to the team’s DataVolley statistics, with 21 points (eight kills, two 11 blocks, two aces) in 64 sets (0.33 points per set). He was second on the team in digs behind libero Rich Lambourne with 94 (1.47 digs per set). Kevin was credited with 176 running sets and three faults for an average of 3.59 running sets per set in FIVB competitions... Kevin played in 29 sets and started 28 for the U.S. Men at the FIVB World Championship where they finished sixth. Kevin finished 10th among all setters with 184 running sets and no faults on 585 total attempts for an average of 5.58 running sets per set. He also scored 18 points on five kills, eight blocks and two aces... Kevin played in 32 sets during the FIVB World League and tallied 176 running sets and 553 still sets, good enough for 14th place among the League’s best setters. He also paced the U.S. men with his sets and averaged 3.59 per set. A running set is defined as a set from a player that puts their hitter against one blocker or none. Still sets happen when a player sets an attacker and there are two blockers or more. He also posted two kills from the setting position and 21 digs (0.43 per set). 2009 – Kevin shared starter duties at setter with Donald Suxho in 2009... He was credited with 114 running sets (assists) in 47 sets played for an average of 2.42 per set... Kevin finished the season with a 0.444 hitting percentage and was credited with 15 blocks (0.32 blocks per set) and 51 digs (1.08 digs per set)... Kevin helped the U.S. Men to a sixth-place finish in the 2009 World League. 2008 – Kevin finished the 2008 season with 36 points in 63 sets played. He averaged 0.21 kills per set; 0.11 aces per set; 0.25 blocker per set and 1.22 digs per set. His hitting percentage was 0.44... Kevin helped the U.S. Men win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing as the backup setter to Lloy Ball. Kevin started a match against China and played all three sets. He also played in matches against

Venezuela and Japan.... Kevin helped the U.S. Men win its first World League gold medal. Hansen started seven pool play matches and the team lost only one of those. He finished 16th among all setters in World League pool play with 168 running sets and seven faults for an average of 4.2 running sets per set. He had 22 points on 10 kills, 10 blocks and two aces... Kevin helped the U.S. Men to a gold medal at the Four Nations Tournament on May 11-13 in Germany... Kevin was the backup setter to Lloy Ball at the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifier, which the U.S. Men won, qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games. Hansen had playing time in all five matches as the U.S. Men finished the tournament with a kill percentage of 60 and a hitting percentage of 53. 2007 – Kevin finished the season having played 74 sets for the U.S. Men. He was credited with 21 kills, nine aces and 22 blocks and averaged 0.7 points per set... Kevin was the backup setter for Lloy Ball at the FIVB World Cup tournamemt where the U.S. men finished fourth. Hansen started in victories over Egypt and Korea and substituted in four others and was credited with 72 assists and two faults in 131 attempts... Kevin was the backup setter for Lloy Ball at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship in Anaheim, Calif., where the U.S. Men won the gold medal and qualified for the FIVB World Cup. Kevin played the entire match against Barbados and was credited with 23 assists as the team’s hitting percentage was 74 percent... Kevin was the backup to starting setter Lloy Ball at the Americas’ Cup and the NORCECA Continental Championship... Kevin was the third-leading setter at the Pan American Games and helped carry the U.S. Men to the silver medal. He was credited with 6.88 sets per set... Kevin was the United States’ second-leading blocker and 10th overall at the Pan Am Games with seven scoring blocks in 30 attempts for an average of 0.44 per set... Kevin was the fourth-leading setter in the World League final round and was credited with an average of six sets per set... Played in eight World League pool-play matches and started five. Finished 17th among all World League setters in pool play with a 2.71 set average per set played. 2006 – Played in Greece during the winter of 2006 and spring of 2007... Was the backup setter to Donald Suxho on the World League team... Kevin helped the team finish 4-1 in Argentina.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: Finished his career third on Stanford’s list of career leaders with 5,036 assists... Only the third player in Stanford men’s volleyball history to amass 5,000 career assists... Four-time All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) selection... Ranked ninth all-time among Stanford setters averaging 12.89 assists per game. 2005 – Kevin averaged 12.70 assists, 1.91 digs, 0.53 blocks and 0.23 aces per game... First-Team All-MPSF ... American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First-Team All-American ... MPSF Academic All-Conference. 2004 – Named Volleyball magazine Third-Team All-American... Molten/MPSF Player of the week... Led the team in hitting percentage (.445), serving aces (18), digs (188), and digs per game (1.92). 2003 – Played in all 29 matches... MPSF Honorable Mention for the second straight season... Distributed 1,318 assists, the sixth-most assists in a single season in program history... Finished the season with a 13.05 assists per game average, good for the 14th best average in the nation. 2002 – Honorable Mention All-MPSF... Guided Stanford to a .360 team hitting percentage in MPSF play.

PERSONAL: Born Kevin Christopher Hansen on March 19, 1982 in Newport Beach, Calif. ... Son of Erik and Ann Hansen... Has two sisters, Kristen and Erika... Married Sarah Engle in August of 2009... Kevin and Sarah are the parents of a daughter, Avery Grace, born in May of 2011… Sarah was a four-year volleyball letterwinner and Academic All-Conference standout as an outside hitter at the University of Delaware (2001-04)... Sarah’s sister Ashley is a standout volleyball player at the University of Texas and played on the 2007 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team... Kevin majored in economics at Stanford University and has a master’s degree in communications... Thinks most people would be surprised to know “I shoot up with needles at least four times a day” because he is diabetic... Was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when he was 10-years-old and told that sports would be difficult to pursue... Goals off the court are “to have a family and eventually work in the sports marketing industry”... Says “Being able to represent your country while competing in foreign ones” is the best part about being on the National Team... Wants to live “on a sailboat traveling the world”... Says carbs are the luxury item he could not live without... Lists Jesus as the person he would most like to have dinner with... Describes himself as “competitive, athletic and spiritual.”

79

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal)... FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 – Brazil Tour... FIVB World League.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Played in 83 sets and started 75 in 2012 and finished as the team’s third-leading scorer and leading blocker with 201 points on 120 kills, 69 blocks (.83 per set) and 12 aces. Hitting efficiency was .543… Started all 21 sets of the Olympic Games and finished 46 points on 28 kills, 17 blocks and one ace. Led the team in blocks (.81 per set) and was second among all Olympic players. Scored tourney-high nine points in 3-0 victories over Germany and Tunisia… Was the team’s third-leading World League scorer, finishing with 122 points on 71 attacks, a team-leading 44 blocks (.90 per set) and seven aces. Played in 49 sets. Best match came against Korea on May 19 when he scored 15 points on seven attacks, six blocks and two aces.... Was the fifth-leading scorer for the U.S. at the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier (5/7-12). Played in 13 sets and scored 33 points on 21 kills, eight blocks, and four aces. Hitting efficiency was .714. Best match came against Cuba when he scored 11 points on six kills, two blocks and two aces. During the winter of 2011-12, played for Poland’s Jastrzębski Węgiel in the Plus Liga. 2011 – Finished the 2011 season as the team’s eighth leading scorer with 109 points on 77 attacks, 27 blocks and five aces in 71 sets played. His 27 blocks put him fourth on the team… Was the team’s fourth-leading scorer and second-leading blocker at the FIVB World Cup where he finished with 57 points on 38 attacks, 16 blocks and three aces in 29 sets played. The U.S. Men finished sixth… Started 15 out of 18 sets at the London Volleyball International Invitational, where the U.S. Men finished third. He scored 32 points on 24 kills, seven blocks and one ace. His hitting efficiency was 0.512 and his kill percent was 56. Russell started 10 sets and played in 27 during the FIVB World League, where the U.S. Men finished eighth... He finished with 20 points on 15 kills, four blocks and one ace. During the winter of 2010-11, Russell played for Vivo/Minas in Brazil’s Superliga. 2010 – Was the U.S. Men’s Team’s fifth-leading scorer in 2010 with 115 points (2.21 points per set) on 70 kills (0.44 hitting percentage), 38 blocks (0.73 blocks per set) and seven aces (0.13 blocks per set). His 38 blocks was second on the team… Played in 25 sets and started 23 at the FIVB World Championship in Italy where the U.S. Men finished sixth. He was the team’s fifth-leading scorer with 46 points on 29 kills, 12 blocks and five aces. Was the team’s third-leading blocker and 29th overall with 12 blocks and 18 faults on 51 attempts for an average of 0.36 blocks per set... Played in 27 sets during the FIVB World League. He posted 43 kills (1.52 per set) and his .524 hitting percentage was the team-high. His 23 stuff blocks (.47 per set) were good enough for second place among the team’s leaders and 33rd among the League’s best blockers. He tallied a service ace and three digs. He finished the League with 41 points (1.52 per set). Played the winter of 2009-10 for HYPO Tirol Innsbruck in Austria. The team won its second-straight Austrian Cup Championship and finished fifth in the CEV Cup. 2009 – Was part of the U.S. Men’s team that traveled to Brazil for five exhibition matches. The United States did not win a match; but scored 30 points, including seven blocks, in 15 sets played... Saw limited playing time in five World League pool play matches. U.S. Men went on to finish sixth. 2008-09 – Played overseas for Austria’s HYPO Tirol in the Middle European Volleyball Zone Association, winning the MEVZA Cup and the Austrian Cup.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 – Started in all 30 matches and all 113 games ... Named AVCA First-Team All-American... Earned All-MPSF First Team accolades... Finished the season fourth in the nation in hitting

percentage at 0.454 and second in the nation averaging 1.52 blocks per game... Awarded MPSF Player of the Week honors on Feb. 19... Recorded two double-doubles on the season... Set new career highs with 19 kills vs. Stanford (Feb. 22), 33 attempts at UC Irvine (Feb. 15), six digs and 11 block assists at UC Irvine (Feb. 16), and three assists three separate times in the season... Eleven total blocks Feb. 16 tied for the third best mark in school history since adopting international rules in 2001... 172 total blocks is the second best mark in school history since adopting international rules and fourth all time... Led the team in hitting percentage (.454), blocks with 172 total (15 solo and 157 assists) on the season ... Recorded 10 or more kills in 13 matches. 2007 – A second team AVCA All-America honoree for the second straight season... Named to the All-MPSF Second Team... Team captain... Played in all 29 matches, starting 28... Played in a team-high 99 games during the season... Named Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week Jan. 29 for his performance against Penn State and Loyola-Chicago at the Outrigger Hotels Invitational in Hawaii... Named the Outrigger Hotels Invitational Tournament Most Outstanding Player award... Set a BYU season record for block solos with 28, beating out the previous record of 22 formerly held by Ryan Millar... Led the team in hitting percentage (.438), total blocks (144), blocks per game (1.45), block solos (28) and block assists (116)... Led the nation in block solos (28). 2006 – Named to the AVCA All-America Second Team... Earned second-team All-MPSF honors... A Student Athlete Academic Center Scholar Athlete... Started all 27 matches and was the only player on the team to play in all 104 sets... Finished sixth in the nation with a .456 hitting percentage and third in MPSF play at .462. 2005 – Played in 30 matches and appeared in 98 games... Started 13 matches... Recorded 107 kills while hitting .368... Totaled 67 blocks. 2004 – Freshman red shirt the year BYU won the NCAA National Championship.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: In 2001, his Long Beach club team won the gold medal at the U.S. Junior Nationals and he was named an All-American… Named to Volleyball Magazine’s Fab 50 in 2001… Played for Fountain Valley High School.

PERSONAL: Born Russell Kenneth Holmes in 1982 in Anaheim, Calif. ... Parents are Mark and Tamara (Tami) Holmes... Has a younger brother, Dane, and an older sister, Leah… Has a daughter, Sadie Rae, who was born in June 2007... Served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to London, England... Started playing volleyball as a junior at Fountain Valley High School with friends… Graduated from Fountain Valley in 2001… Also lettered three years ... He enjoys beach volleyball, surfing and snowboarding… Is an Eagle Scout… He graduated from BYU in 2008 with a degree in sociology… His most admired person is his father: “for his patience, love, support, integrity and hard work. He is someone I aspire to be like as a father and husband”… His happiest moment in life was witnessing the birth of his daughter.

Courtesy of FIVB

No. 12 Russell HolmesMiddle Blocker * 6-8

Fountain Valley, CaliforniaCollege: Brigham Young

Birth Year: 1982Joined Team: 2009

80

No. 17 Max HoltMiddle Blocker * 6-9

Cincinnati, OhioCollege: Penn State

Birth Year: 1987Joined Team: 2009

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2011 – FIVB World Cup… NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship. FIVB World League. 2009 – Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship (7th). 2006 – NORCECA Men’s Junior Continental Championship (Silver Medal). 2005 – Four Nations Tournament.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Was an alternate on the 2012 Olympic Team. 2011 – Finished the season with 76 points on 49 kills, seven blocks and six aces in 39 sets played… Played in nine sets of the FIVB World Cup and finished with nine points on five attacks and four blocks… Started 15 out of 18 sets at the NORCECA Championship in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico where the U.S. Men finished second to Cuba... Second on the U.S. team and among all players in blocks with 13...Finished with a total of 40 points on 24 kills, 13 blocks and three aces... His hitting efficiency was 0.455 and his kill percent was 54.5. Max started

11 sets of the London Volleyball International Invitational where the U.S. Men finished third. He finished with 23 points (2.09 per set) on 16 kills (1.45 per set), four blocks (0.36 per set) and three aces (0.27 per set)... Max saw limited playing time during the 2011 FIVB World League as middle blockers Dave Lee and Ryan Millar got most of the starts. The U.S. Men finished seventh in World League. Max played for Copra Morpho Piacenza in Italy’s Serie A league during the winter of 2010-11. 2010 – Max played for Copra Morpho Piacenza in Italy’s Serie A league during the winter of 2010-11... Max played in 41 sets for the U.S. Men in 2010, finishing with 57 points on 41 kills (0.372 hitting percentage), 13 blocks (0.32 blocks per set) and three aces (0,07 aces per set)... Max appeared in 22 sets and started 21 at the FIVB World Championship in Italy where the U.S. Men finished sixth. He finished the tournament with 37 points on 28 kills, eight blocks and one ace. He averaged 0.24 blocks per set... Max appeared in 19 sets during the FIVB World League and had a hitting percentage of .471, second best for the team. He also tallied 10 kills (0.53 per set), two stuff blocks (0.04 per set) and two service aces (0.04 per set). He finished the League with 14 total points (0.74). 2009 – Max played for Bluvolley Verona in Itayl’s Serie A League during the winter of 2009-10. Played on the Pan American Cup team that won the gold medal in Chiapas, Mexico… Max started all four matches and played 16 sets… He finished with 56 points on 41 kills, 10 blocks and 5 aces. 2007 – Was a starting middle blocker for the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team that finished seventh at the FIVB World Championship in Rabat, Morocco… Scored 56 points for the championship... Provided 42 kills for an average of 1.55 kills per set on .400 hitting... Added five blocks and six digs. 2006 – Was a starting middle blocker on the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team that finished second to Cuba at the NORCECA Continental Championship

in Monterrey, Mexico… Max was named the tournament’s Best Blocker.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2009 (Senior) – Named AVCA Division I All American for the second year as Penn State advanced to the NCAA Championship match where it lost to USC… Max was named the 2009 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Player of the Year and was on the EIVA All-East First Team… He ranked first in the nation in aces per game and hitting percentage. 2008 (Junior) – AVCA First Team All-American... NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team... First Team All-EIVA... EIVA All-Championship Team... four-time EIVA Player of the Week... Outrigger Invitational All-Tournament Team... Played in 100 of 103 games and all 31 matches... Recorded 318 kills, 48 service aces, 41 digs and 130 total blocks... Averaged 3.18 kills per game on .548 hitting, good for first on the team, in the nation and second on Penn State’s single-season hitting percentage record list. 2007 (Sophomore) – First Team All-EIVA... EIVA Championship All-Tournament Team... Active Ankle/Long Beach State Guesthouse Classic All-Tournament Team... played in every game of the season, averaging 2.71 kills per game on .447 hitting, good for 12th on the Penn State single-season hitting percentage list... Had 13 multiple-kill matches, including racking up a career-high 21 at Juniata (3/28). 2006 (Freshman) – First Team All-East... EIVA All-Championship team... played in all 30 matches and 108 games... Averaged 2.17 kills per game on .415 hitting (15th in the nation) with 0.23 service aces per game, 0.44 digs per game and 1.19 blocks per game... Led the team with 129 total blocks, good for 13th on Penn State’s single-season record list.

PERSONAL: Born Maxwell Philip Holt on March 12, 1987 in Cincinnati, Ohio... Parents are Kim and Angie Holt... Has two older siblings, Megan and Nick, and a younger brother, Sam, who also plays volleyball... Max was a six-time letterwinner (four in volleyball and two in soccer) for Purcell Marian (Ohio) High School... Named the Ohio Player of the Year following senior season in 2005... First team all-state as a junior and third team all-region as a sophomore... Played for the Cincinnati Attack club team... Squad was Flight 1 champions at the 2004 Junior National Championship… Max names Ben Harper as favorite musical entertainer, history as favorite school subject, the Cincinnati Bengals as favorite pro sports team and Chad Johnson as favorite athlete... Graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in journalism.

Courtesy of FIVB

81

No. 18 Jayson JablonskyOutside Hitter * 6-5

Yorba Linda, CaliforniaCollege: UC IrvineBirth Year: 1986

Joined Team: 2008

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2011 – NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)… London International Volleyball Invitational (Bronze Medal)… Pan American Cup (Silver Medal). 2009 – Brazil Tour... 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)… FIVB World League. 2008 – America’s Cup... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2007 – World University Games (Bronze Medal).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Was named an alternate on the 2012 Olympic Team. 2011 – Fnished the season with a kill percent of 54.2 and a hitting efficiency of .483. He averaged 2.48 points per set and one dig per set... Jayson played in seven sets and started five at the NORCECA Championship, where the U.S. Men finished second to Cuba... Jayson scored 17 points on 16 kills and one block... Jayson’s hitting efficiency was 0.577 and his kill percent was 62. Jayson played in nine sets of the London Test Event, starting three, and scoring 15 points on 12 kills, two blocks and one ace… Jayson was on the 20-man roster for the 2011 FIVB World League but did not play… Jayson and middle blocker David Smith tied as the second-leading scorer at the 2011 Pan American Cup in Canada with 45 points on 36 kills, four blocks and five aces. His hitting efficiency was 0.451. His kill percent was 63.4. 2010 – Jayson played the winter of 2010-11 for Olympiakos in the Hellenic League... Jayson played on the U.S. Men’s A2 Team that won the Pan American Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico... Jayson was named the tournament MVP and Best Spiker... He led all spikers with 59 kills and eight errors on 110 total attempts (53.64 success percentage). Jayson concluded the tournament with a total of 75 points, good for second place among leading scorers... He was fifth among all blockers with an average of 0.67 blocks per set... He was the United States’ leading server and 10th overall with four aces and four faults on 72 attempts for an average of 0.22 aces per set... Jayson was

the United States’ leading receiver and seventh overall with 51 excellent receptions and four faults on 83 attempts for an efficiency percentage of 56.63. 2009 – Jayson played the 2009-10 winter season for Leones de Ponce, but had to leave the team early due to injury... Jayson finished the season with a 0.600 hitting percentage, with 27 kills and no errors on 45 attempts in 15 sets. He finished the season averaging 1.93 points per set... Jayson accompanied the team on a Tour of Brazil, playing in five exhibition matches... Jayson was the United States’ third-leading scorer and seventh overall as the U.S. Men won the 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F held Aug. 15-17 in Irvine, Calif. He finished with 22 points on 20 kills and two aces. He finished third among all spikers with 20 kills and four errors in 31 attempts for a success percentage of 64.52… Jayson helped the U.S. Men finish sixth in the FIVB World League tournament. 2008 – Played on the U.S. Men’s Team that finished fifth at the America’s Cup in Brazil... Was an alternate for the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team... Played on the gold-medal winning 2008 Pan American Cup team (June 2-7 in Winnipeg, Manitoba)... Scored 32 points on 25 kills, five blocks and two aces in the tournament... Was a member of the U.S. Men’s Training Team that traveled to Japan to prepare the Japanese squad for Olympic qualification from May 17-25. 2007 – Helped the U.S. men win the bronze medal at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. 2005 – Played on the U.S. Junior National Team that finished eighth in the 2005 FIVB Men’s U-21 World Volleyball Championships in Andhra Pradesh, India. 2004 – Helped the U.S. Junior National Team to a second place finish at the 2004 NORCECA Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2007 – Helped UC Irvine to the NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball National Championship... Jayson was named second-team All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)... Second team All-MPSF selection... Named to the NCAA all-tournament team after totaling 32 kills in two matches... In the postseason, he averaged 4.30 kills and 4.89 points per game... Averaged 3.89 kills, 1.58 digs and 4.61 points per game overall... Led the team against MPSF opponents with a 3.80 kill average... Ranked 18th nationally in aces (.371). Also was fourth in aces (0.38) among MPSF players and 10th in points per game (4.57)... UCI’s all-time ace leader with 128. Had 46 aces, firing at least one in 28 of 34 matches this year. 46 aces tied for second in the season record book... Totaled kills in double-digits in 29 of 34 matches... Ends his career second in kills with 1,528 and in career attack attempts (3,081). Fourth in career digs (595)... Named to the 2007 Elephant Bar All-Tournament team. 2006 – Named AVCA National Player of the Year as well as MPSF Player of the Year... First team All-America and All-MPSF... Named UCI’s Male Athlete of the Year... First-team Asics/Volleyball Magazine All-American and Player of the Year... Named to the NCAA All-Tournament team... Averaged 4.17 kills per game which ranked 17th in the country, was 18th in points (4.89) and 11th in aces (.367)... Also averaged 1.61 digs and 0.65 blocks per game... Led the team with 40 service aces, which ranked second most in a season at UCI... Had 454 kills, which is seventh in the UCI season records and 892 attempts which is 10th... Following the end of the season, he ranks seventh in career kills (1,046), 10th in attempts (2,102) and fourth in aces (82). 2005 – Named second-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF)... Named second team All-American by Volleyball Magazine... Led the team in kills, averaging 4.03 per game... Averaged 1.26 digs and 0.59 blocks per game... Totaled 27 service aces... Averaged 21 kills over the last five matches. 2004 – Third on the team in kills, averaging 2.54 per game... Averaged 1.37 digs and 0.57 blocks per game... Totaled 15 service aces.

PERSONAL: Born Jayson Michael Jablonsky on July 23, 1985, in Orange, Calif.... Parents are Paul and Betty Jablonsky... Has two older siblings, Matt and Heather... Jayson married Tammara Koehler in July of 2009... Jayson attended Esperanza High School (1999-2003) where he also played soccer... Played for the Balboa Bay Volleyball Club... Studied criminology at UC Irvine... Sushi is his favorite food... J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” is his favorite book... His favorite movie is Edward Scissorhands... The Office is his favorite television show... Listens to rock music with AFI as his favorite band... Likes to watch hockey and the Anaheim Ducks are his favorite professional team... Enjoys playing the guitar, the beach and trying to surf... His happiest moment in life has yet to come, but his fondest sports memory was winning the 2007 NCAA Division I men’s volleyball national championship. Courtesy of NORCECA

82

final round with 24 “excellents” on 48 attempts and an average of four per set. 2008 – Played with the U.S. Men’s Team that finished fifth at the America’s Cup in Brazil... Played in every set of the Olympic Games and helped the U.S. Men to the gold medal. He was credited with 64 digs and 147 “excellent” service receptions on 230 total attempts for a success percentage of 63.91... Played in every set of the FIVB World League and was named best libero of the final round as the U.S. Men won their first World League title. Finished the final round with 45 digs and 25 faults in 74 total attempts for an average of three digs per set. He was also credited with 76 “excellent” receptions on 131 attempts for an efficiency percentage of 55... Played in all 15 sets for the U.S. Men at the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier as Team USA won and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games. Credited with 59 receptions and 29 digs. He was named Best Libero and Best Receiver of the tournament. 2007 – Played in 147 sets for the U.S. Men, which was every set played in the season. He finished the year with 337 digs, averaging 2.29 digs per set... Ranked fourth among all liberos at the 2007 World Cup, finishing with 229 “excellent” receptions in 369 attempts for a success percentage of 59.62... Third best digger of the NORCECA Continental Championship with 25 digs, 22 receptions and six faults in 53 attempts... Named the Best Libero of the 2007 World League. He finished the final round with an average of 1.79 digs per set and 42 “excellent” serve receptions out of 87 attempts. Finished second among all World League “serve receivers” in pool play with a 65.47 efficiency percentage. 2006 – Was the starting libero for all U.S. matches in 2006 and played 119 sets...Led the team in digs with 264... Helped the team remain undefeated (4-0) during the inaugural Pan American Cup in June and was named the tournament’s best digger... Played on the Argentina tour when the team went 4-1. 2005 – Was the team’s starting libero all season... Played every set of every match (119 sets overall) and led the team in digs with 283... Rich capped the 2005 season as a member of the USA squad that captured the silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan... The Americans, who lost to defending Olympic gold medalist Brazil in the first match of the tournament, lost just one set the rest of the way as they defeated Japan (3-1), 2004 Olympic silver medalist Italy (3-0), Egypt (3-0) and China (3-0) en route to their fifth medal in five events this season... Earned “Best Libero” honors as the USA Men stunned the world’s best team when it defeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Brazil in five sets to win the America’s Cup tournament in Brazil on Aug. 7... Earned a gold medal as Team USA won its second-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 15... The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the win...Named “Best Receiver” and earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships. 2004 – Was one of six alternates for the 2004 USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team. 2003 – Started for the United States in the NORCECA Zone Championships in Mexico as Team USA captured the gold medal and a berth in the 2003 World Cup, the first Olympic qualifier. 2002 – Competed with teammate Erik Sullivan for the starting libero position...Played in just one tour during the year (Louisville Tour vs. Australia and Canada)... Played in 29 totals sets during the year and racked up 76 digs (2.62 per set). 2001 – Captured the Best Digger award at the NORCECA Zone Championships in August as the U.S. earned the silver medal... Finished third on the team in digs with 102... Played professionally with the Vienna HotVolleys in Austria after the National Team season ended.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 1999 – Started at outside hitter on BYU’s first-ever national championship team... Played in 82 games and posted 252 kills, 205 digs, 88 blocks and a .348 hitting percentage. 1998 – Played in 21-of-22 matches... Recorded 150 kills, 133 digs and 78 blocks. 1997 – Ranked fourth nationally with 2.73 digs per game... Named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week on March 22... Set a career-high with 23 digs against nationally ranked Hawaii.

PERSONAL: Born Richard Edward Lambourne in 1975 in Louisville, Ky. ... Now calls San Diego, Calif., home... Parents are Paul and Ann Lambourne... Has one brother, Stuart, and two sisters, Gwen and Tracy... Stuart was MVP at Foothills High and played volleyball briefly at BYU... Rich enjoys golf, beach volleyball and tennis... Majored in Japanese at BYU... After the 2008 Olympic Games, appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s Olympic show and the Bonnie Hunt Show... Rich was badly injured during a bike accident when he was 6. He skinned his shoulder to the bone and mangled the right side of his face. Says of the accident, “I could have been much uglier but due to my loving parents and medical science, I am only mostly unattractive”... His favorite food is Mexican... Pillars of the Earth is his favorite book... South Park and Family Guy are his favorite television shows... His favorite sports to watch include basketball, golf and football... Notes that he is a “bandwagon guy” when it comes to favorite professional sports teams... Michael Jordan is his favorite athlete... Lists his mom as his most admired person because of her “strength of character, conviction and faith”... Says he is “super sarcastic.”

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... Brazil Tour... 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2008 – America’s Cup... Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... Four Nations’ Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... Pan American Games (Silver Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2006 – FIVB World Championships... FIVB World League... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)... Argentina Tour. 2005 – Pacific Northwest Tour vs. Netherlands... USOC International Sports Invitational (Silver Medal)... Argentina Tour... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)... World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2003 – Colorado/Nebraska Tour... Canada Tour... Japan Tour (Training Team)... NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal). 2002 – Louisville Tour. 2001 - Japan Tour... World League... NORCECA Zone Championships.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Started all 97 sets in which the top U.S. Men’s National Team competed in 2012. Led team in digs with 144 (1.48 per set)… Played in all 21 sets of the Olympic Games. Credited with 31 digs and 86 excellent receptions. Finished seventh among all diggers and eighth among all liberos… Played in all 60 World League sets. Finished with a total of 75 digs (1.25 digs per set). Finished pool play fourth among all liberos. Was fourth in digs during pool play with an average of 2.02 per set... Played in 16 sets of the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier where the U.S. men won gold... Led the team in digs with 38 (2.38 digs per set). 2011 – Finished the season as the team’s leading digger with 180 in 107 sets played (1.68 digs per set)… Competed in 31 sets of the FIVB World Cup and finished as the team’s leading digger and seventh overall with 61 digs... Played in all 18 sets of the NORCECA Championship in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico where the U.S. Men finished second to Cuba. Credited with 97 receptions and 27 digs.... Played in all 58 sets of the 2011 FIVB World League where the U.S. Men advanced to the Final Round and finished seventh. Finished pool play ranked third among all liberos. Led the team in digs in pool play with 132 in 214 attempts and an average of 2.93 per set.... In the Final Round, led the team in digs with 45 in 13 sets for an average of 3.46 per set... He had 146 receptions on 248 attempts in pool play... In the final round, Rich had 42 receptions for an average of 3.23 per set. Rich joined Fart Kielce in Poland in the winter of 2011. 2010 – Finished 2010 having played in 80 sets for the U.S. Men. He finished with 114 digs (1.42 digs per set). He was also credited with one point on a kill... Rich started all 33 of the United States’ sets at the FIVB World Championship in Italy where the U.S. Men finished sixth. Rich finished fifth among all liberos with 199 “excellents” and 39 faults for an average of 6.03 per set. Rich was the U.S. Men’s leading digger and sixth overall with 76 digs and 30 faults on 115 attempts for an average of 2.30 per set. He was also the team’s leading receiver and ninth overall with 123 excellents and nine faults on 192 attempts for an efficiency percentage of 59.38... Rich played in 45 sets over the course of the FIVB World League Intercontinental Round and led the team with 64 digs (1.31 per set). He also ranked 11th amongst the League’s best in both digs and liberos, where he tallied 150 “excellents”. He averaged 3.06 “excellents” per set. 2009 – Finished the season with 137 digs in 71 sets for an average of 1.93 digs per set.... Joined the U.S. Team for the Brazil Tour in which they played five exhibition matches in Brazil... Was the United States’ best digger and second overall at the NORCECA Continental Championship. Credited with 40 digs (2.35 per set) and 23 faults on 85 attempts. Ranked the third-best libero overall... Helped the U.S. win the 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier on Aug. 15-17 in Irvine, Calif. Won Best Digger (0.89 digs per set), Best Receiver (23 excellents and no faults in 29 attempts) and Best Libero (31 excellents and four faults in 64 attempts)… Was the United States’ starting libero in every match but one of the 2009 FIVB World League… Averaged 1.84 digs per set in pool play and had 94 excellent receptions on 294 attempts. Fourth among liberos in the

No. 5 Rich LambourneLibero * 6-3

Tustin, CaliforniaCollege: BYU

Birth Year: 1975Joined Team: 2000

83

No. 4 David LeeMiddle Blocker * 6-8

Alpine, CaliforniaCollege: Long Beach State

Birth Year: 1982Joined Team: 2003

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: 2012 – Olympic Games… FIVB World League (Silver Medal)… NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 - FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)… FIVB World League. 2008 – Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... Pan American Games (Silver Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2006 – FIVB World League... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)... Argentina Tour. 2005 – Pacific Northwest Tour vs. Netherlands... USOC International Sports Invitational (Silver Medal)... Argentina Tour... America’s Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental - Championships (Gold Medal). 2003 – World University Games (Bronze Medal).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Finished season as team’s fifth-leading scorer with 174 points on 116 kills, 48 blocks in 10 aces. Hitting efficiency was .581. Played in 73 out of 97 sets. His 48 blocks (.66 per set) put him third on the team… Started 18 Olympic sets, finishing with 42 points on 25 kills, 15 blocks and two aces. Best match was in 3-2 loss to Russia where he scored 11 points on seven kills and four blocks. Finished fourth among all Olympic blockers (.83 blocks per set)… Finished World League with 89 points on 61 kills, 22 blocks and six aces in 41 sets played. Was eighth among all blockers in the Final Round with eight blocks in 14 sets (.57 blocks per set)… Named tournament’s Best Blocker at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualifier with 11 blocks in 14 sets played (.79 blocks per set). Finished with 43 points on 30 kills, 11 blocks, and two aces. Hitting efficiency was .784 and kill percent was 81.1. 2011 – Finished the season as the team’s leading blocker with 82 in 104 sets played (.79 blocks per set). Fourth on the team in scoring with 230 points (2.21 points per set) on 140 kills, 82 blocks and eight aces… Started 32 sets at the FIVB World Cup and finished with 43 points on 29 attacks and 14 blocks… Started 14 sets at the NORCECA Championship in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where the U.S. Men finished second behind Cuba. Named the tournament’s best blocker with 16. Finished the tournament with 45 points on 28 kills, 16 blocks and one ace... David’s hitting efficiency was 0.587 and his kill percent was 61... Was one of three players who competed in all 58 sets of the FIVB World League (along with Rich Lambourne and Clay Stanley)… Was the leading blocker for the U.S. Men at World League with 52 in 58 sets for an average of 0.90 blocks per set. Finished pool play second among all blockers. Finished World League as the United States’ fourth-leading scorer with 142 points on 83 kills (0.462 hitting efficiency, 53.2 kill percent), 52 blocks and seven aces. 2010 – Played the winter of 2010-11 for Kuzbass Kemerovo in Russia’s Super League... Finished the 2010 season having played in 75 sets, the second most on the team. Finished as the team’s fourth-leading scorer with 150 points on 85 kills (0.36 hitting percentage), 55 blocks (0.73 blocks per set) and 10 aces (0.13 aces per set). His 55 blocks led the team and his 10 aces put him second... Played in 26 sets of the FIVB World Championship. Was the United States’ fourth-leading scorer with 48 points on 28 kills, 18 blocks and two aces. His 18 blocks tied him with Clay Stanley as the team’s leading blocker with an average of .55 per set. Twelfth among all blockers... Was the only player to play in all 49 sets of pool play for the U.S. Men in the FIVB World League. Finished pool play as the League’s fourth-best blocker with his 40 total stuff blocks and 0.82 blocks per set. He also tallied 58 kills (1.18 per set) and had an attacking percentage of .333. He ranked 32nd on the League’s best servers list with eight aces (0.16 per set). He finished the League with 106 points and averaged 2.16 points per set. 2009 – Played for Lokomotiv Novosibirsk in the Russian Super League during the winter of 2009-10... Was the U.S. Men’s leading blocker in 2009 with 49 stuff blocks in 66 sets for an average of .74 per set. Was the team’s third-leading scorer with 176 points on 113 kills, 49 blocks and 14 aces. Had the third most aces on the team...Helped

the team to a second-place finish at the 2009 NORCECA Continental Championship in Puerto Rico... Helped the U.S. Men win the 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier on Aug. 15-17 in Irvine, Calif. … Helped the U.S. Men to a sixth-place finish at World League. Was the leading blocker in the final round, but did not receive the award because the U.S. Men did not play for a medal. finished with eight blocks and six errors in 26 attempts for an average of 1.33 blocks per set... Was the United States’ leading blocker and fourth overall in the continental (pool play) round with 30 blocks and 32 errors in 80 attempts and an average of 0.67 blocks per set. 2008 – Played the 2008-09 winter season for Sisley Treviso in Italy’s Serie A League... Finished the 2008 season as the team’s fourth leading scorer with 243 points in 95 sets played (2.56 points per set). Finished as the second-leading blocker with 63 (0.66 per set). Tallied 168 kills and had a hitting percentage of 0.58... Finished second among all blockers at the Olympic Games with 33 kill blocks for an average of 1 per set. Finished ninth among all scorers (third among U.S. scorers) with 90 points on 53 kills, 33 blocks and four aces. In the United States’ semifinal match against Russia, came up big in the fifth set, tallying a kill and block on consecutive plays to yield a 13-12 advantage. After Russia tied the set at 13-all, Lee ended the match with a kill and block. He scored four of his 12 points in the final five points of the match.... Finished seventh among all blockers in the World League final round with eight blocks for an average of 0.53 per set as the U.S. Men won their first World League title. Was 13th among all blockers in pool play with an average of .45 blocks per set... David scored 28 points on 21 kills and seven blocks at the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifier, which the United States won to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. 2007 – Moved from backup to part-time starter (sharing time with Tom Hoff) and finished the season second on the team in stuff blocks with 69 for an average of 0.67 blocks per set. He was sixth on the team in scoring with 230 points... Was the United States’ second-leading blocker and third overall at the FIVB World Cup, where the U.S. Men finished fourth. David had 25 blocks in 108 attempts and averaged 0.63 blocks per set... Was the top U.S. blocker and fourth overall at the NORCECA Continental Championship. He was credited with 13 blocks on 32 attempts…. Was the top U.S. blocker and second overall at the Pan American Games where he was credited with 12 blocks for an average of 0.75 per set... David was the United States’ leading blocker and 10th overall in the final round of World League where he was credited with an average of 0.43 per set... Started seven out of 10 World League pool-play matches and played in 10. Did not make the trip to play France in pool play... Was the 13th best blocker among all World League competitors in pool play with a 0.56 average per set. Was the second-leading U.S. blocker behind Ryan Millar. 2006 – Played in six FIVB World League matches in place of Ryan Millar... Played two matches in the inaugural Pan America Cup in June with a 4-0 record... Helped the team finish 4-1 on the Argentina tour. 2005 – David played 65 of 119 sets during the year but finished second in total blocks with 59. Finished second in blocks per set (0.91) and fifth in total points with 162... Scored five points on four kills and one block as the USA Men stunned the world’s best team when it defeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Brazil in five sets to win the America’s Cup tournament in Brazil on Aug. 7... Named “Best Blocker” and earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships... Led Team USA in scoring with nine points on four kills, four blocks and one ace in a 3-0 win over Barbados on Aug. 25 at the WCQT. 2003 – Scored 20 points as the U.S. Men captured the bronze medal at the World University Games with a 3-2 win over France in Daegu, South Korea.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2004 – Named first team AVCA All American. 2003 – Named to the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) second-team... Led the team and conference with a .483 hitting percentage... Recorded a team-high 1.18 blocks per game. 2002 – Appeared in 118 games as a sophomore...Averaged 2.64 kills and 0.95 blocks per game. 2001 – Averaged 1.17 kills and 0.75 blocks per game... Recorded five blocks in a match three times.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Played high school volleyball at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon... Played club volleyball for Seaside Volleyball Club

PERSONAL: Born David Cameron Lee in 1982 in Alpine, Calif.... Parents are Mac and Robin Lee... Also has two older brothers named Nathan and Mark... David is the tallest member of his immediate family... Enjoys listening to reggae and watching volleyball and basketball... Majored in human development at Long Beach State... Favorite foods are filet mignon and lobster... Favorite pro team is the Los Angeles Lakers.

Courtesy of FIVB

84

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… NORCE-CA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal)... FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Con-tinental Championship (Silver Medal)... Tour of Brazil... 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2008 – Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2007 – World Univer-sity Games (Gold Medal). 2005 – FIVB Men’s U-21 World Championship. INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Served as backup outside hitter and serving specialist. Played in 56 sets. Finished season with 24 points on 17 kills, six aces and one block. Also credited with 13 digs (1.3. per set)… Played as a substitute and serving specialist in eight sets of the Olympic Games and finished with two points on one kill and one block… Finished World League with 12 points on 10 attacks and two aces in 38 sets... Played in 10 sets and started two of the NORCECA Olympic qualifier and finished with 10 points on six kills and four aces. His tourney-high was six points (four kills, two aces) scored against Trinidad & Tobago. Played the winter of 2011-12 for Asseco Resovia and helped it win the Polish league championship. 2011 – Finished the season as the team’s sixth-leading scorer with 130 points on 107 attacks, 10 blocks and 13 aces in 85 sets played. Kill percentage for the season was 48.9 and his hitting efficiency was .411… Played in 13 sets of the FIVB World Cup, finishing with seven points on six kills and one ace… Played in 13 sets and started 12 at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship in Puerto Rico. Finished with 38 points on 27 kills (46.6 kill percent), six blocks and five aces… Played in 17 sets of the London Volleyball International Invitational, a 2012 Olym-pic test event, and started in 14. He finished the tournament with 39 points on 36 kills (50.0 kill percent), one block and two aces… Played in 42 sets of the FIVB World League, usually as a serving specialist. He fin-ished World League with 46 points on 38 kills, three blocks and five aces. The U.S. Men finished second in their World League pool and advanced to the Final Round where they finished seventh. Played for Marmi Lanza Verona in Italy’s Serie A League during the winter of 2010-11. 2010 – Played in 55 sets for the U.S. Men during the 2010 season. He finished eighth on the team in scoring with 72 points on 60 kills (0.324 hitting percentage), seven blocks (0.18 blocks per set) and five aces (0.09 aces per set). Also had 36 digs (0.65 digs per set), tied for sixth on the team... Played in 30 sets during the FIVB World Championship in Italy. Started nine sets. Finished the tournament with 24 points on 18 kills, five blocks and one ace... Played in 25 pool play sets for the U.S. Men during the FIVB World League and posted 25 kills (1.71 per set). He tallied four aces (0.08 per set) and three stuff blocks (0.04 per set). His 45 “excellents” tied him for 24th among the League’s best receivers and third best on the team. He totaled 50 points (.152) in his 25 set appearances. 2009 – Finished the 2009 season with 32 points on 22 kills, seven aces and three blocks in 17 sets played... Helped the U.S. Men to the silver medal at the NORCECA Continental Championship in Puerto Rico... Traveled to Brazil with a U.S. Men’s Team made up of veterans and newcomers for five exhibition matches on Sept. 22-27. The team did not win a match. Paul was the high scorer in two of the matches with 12 points in each... Helped U.S. Men win the FIVB World Championship Qualifier on Aug. 15-17 in Irvine, Calif. Paul played in six sets and scored 10 points on nine kills and one ace... Helped the U.S. Men to a sixth place finish at World

League. 2008 – Helped U.S. Men win the gold medal at the Pan American Cup in Winnipeg, Canada. 2007 – Helped the U.S. Men win the bronze medal at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. 2005 – Played on the USA Junior National Team that finished eighth in the 2005 FIVB Men’s U-21 World Volleyball Championship in Andhra Pradesh, India. COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 – Named AVCA co-Player of the Year along with Penn State’s Matt Anderson... Named AVCA First Team All-Ameri-can... Named MPSF Player of the Year... Led 49ers to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament... Averaged a team-best 5.44 kills per game while add-ing 1.51 digs per contest, all while hitting 0.326... Paul tallied 20 or more kills 14 times in the season. He tallied double-figures in kills in 29 of the 30 matches... Paul led the team with 60 service aces, a 49er single-season record. Paul finished second on the 49er career service ace chart with 135 aces. He ranked seventh in career kills (1,408) and ninth in career digs (631). 2007 – Named honorable mention All-MPSF after averaging 4.51 kills and 1.60 digs per game... Finished first on the team with 496 kills, 176 digs and 34 aces... Was third on the team with 88 blocks... Named the Most Valuable Player of the Active Ankle/Long Beach Guesthouse Classic (March 16-17) after helping the 49ers to a 2-0 record averaging a .387 hit-ting percentage, 4.8 kills, 1.5 digs and 1.4 blocks per game... Named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I-II Men’s National Player of the Week and the MPSF Player of the Week on March 19... Recorded double digits in kills in 27 matches with seven double-doubles on the season. 2006 – Had a strong first year as a full-time starter... Averaged 2.00 kills, 1.66 digs and 0.72 blocks per game while hitting .234... Hit double digits in kills seven times... Finished tied for second on the team with his 204 total digs. 2005 – Played in 23 matches and 64 sets on the year. 2004 – Redshirt season. PERSONAL: Born Paul Michael Lotman in 1985, in Lakewood, Calif. … Mother is Kathleen Lotman. Father Albert Lotman died in 2011... Has two older brothers, Mark and Steven and an older sister, Shelley… Married wife Jasmine in August, 2011... Attended Los Alamitos High School (1999-2003)… Played for the Surf City club team in Huntington Beach… Gradu-ated from Long Beach State in 2008 with a degree in sociology… Chipotle is his favorite food... ”Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown is his favorite book… Favorite movie is Wedding Crashers and Entourage is his favorite TV show… Steve Nash is his favorite professional athlete and the Dallas Mavericks are his favorite team… Listens to hip-hop and house music… Enjoys beach volleyball… Admires his brother for his recovery from drug abuse… Likes to watch college basketball, volleyball, tennis and college football… His happiest moment in life was playing in his first collegiate volleyball game and his fondest sports memory is playing volleyball.

Courtesy of FIVB

No. 6 Paul LotmanOutside Hitter * 6-7

Lakewood, CaliforniaCollege: Long Beach State

Birth Year: 1985Joined Team: 2008

85

No. 16 Dave McKienzieOpposite * 6-4

Littleton, ColoradoCollege: Long Beach State

Birth Year: 1979Joined Team: 2001

the team win the Argentina series 4-1 in June... Led scoring in two Argen-tina matches. 2005 – Led the team in kills per set during the season (3.28) and finished second in kills (249), total points (277) and points per set (3.64)... Capped the 2005 season as a member of the U.S. squad that cap-tured the silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in Novem-ber in Japan... Scored a team-high-tying 16 points on 16 kills as the USA Men stunned the world’s best team when it defeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Brazil in five sets to win the America’s Cup tournament in Brazil on Aug. 7... Scored seven points on seven kills as Team USA won its sec-ond-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 15... The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the gold-medal win... Also earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships. 2004 – Was one of six alternates for the 2004 USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team. Team USA qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caguas, Puerto Rico on Jan. 10... The men posted a perfect record of 6-0 en route to the gold medal, which included a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Cuba in the champion-ship match. 2003 – Member of the team that played in the NORCECA Zone Championships in Mexico as Team USA captured the gold medal and a berth in the 2003 World Cup, the first Olympic qualifier. 2002 – Played in 88 of 141 sets during the season... Ranked second in service aces (24), fourth in kills (159), fourth in digs (85) and fifth in total points (196), kills (146) and service aces (20)... Registered 2.23 points per set ... Posted a career-high 21 points on 21 kills in a four-set loss to the Czech Republic on the Dallas Tour on May 27. 2001 – Won a gold medal at the World Univer-sity Games in Beijing, China... Saw limited action as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team... Finished with 29 kills in 70 attempts for a hitting percentage of .243... He also had 13 digs and three blocks. COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2001 – Named a first-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)... Named to the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team... Ranked second in the na-tion in kill average with a 5.58 kills per game average... Posted 435 kills in 78 games... Recorded 173 digs for an average of 2.22 digs per game. 2000 – Earned first-team AVCA All-America honors... Named to the All-MPSF second team... Played in 91-of-100 games... Led the team with a total of 552 kills for an average of 6.07 kills per game... Had a hitting percentage of .309... Averaged 2.43 digs per game and 0.82 blocks per game. 1999 – Named a second-team All-American by the AVCA... Named to the All-MPSF third team... Named to the NCAA all-tournament team... Set an NCAA Division I record with 58 kills on March 19 at Brigham Young University... Ended season with 20 or more kills in six of last seven match-es. Summer of 1998 – was a member of the USA Men’s Junior National Team that competed in Guatemala where he was named “Best Spiker” at the tournament. 1998 – In back-to-back matches had 22 and 23 kills against Penn State (Jan. 22-23)... Had five or more digs in five matches. HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB HIGHLIGHTS: Played for Front Range Volleyball Club in Colorado and attended Chatfield High School for half of his sopho-more year… Moved from Littleton, Colo., to Southern California to live with sister Joy and complete high school... Dave graduated in 1997 from Huntington Beach High School.... Played volleyball for three years in high school and earned all-CIF, all-County, all-League, and all-America honors. PERSONAL: Born David W. McKienzie in 1979 in Denver, Colo.... Parents are William (deceased) and Elvira McKienzie... William played volleyball for the U.S. at the Pan American Games and introduced the sport to his children. He died of cancer in 1997... Dave’s sister, Joy, was an All-Amer-ican setter on Long Beach State University’s 1993 NCAA national cham-pionship team and is currently an assistant coach for the UCLA women’s volleyball team... Joy is married to beach volleyball player Matt Fuer-bringer… Graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Long Beach State University... Lists his hobbies as golf, ping pong and poker... After realizing he was not going to make the 2008 Olympic team, Dave stepped away from the U.S. Men’s National Team to compete overseas and also in beach volleyball. U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe, who had been Dave’s college coach, invited him back to the team to train for the FIVB World Cup at the end of 2011. Dave didn’t make that roster, but returned to the team in 2012 and was named the backup opposite to Clay Stanley for the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifier.Matt A. Brown

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2007 – Pan American Games (Silver Medal)... FIVB World League (Silver Medal). 2006 – FIVB World Championships...FIVB World League... Pan American Cup (Gold Med-al)... Argentina Tour. 2005 – Pacific Northwest Tour vs. Netherlands... USOC International Sports Invitational (Silver Medal)... Argentina Tour... America’s Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tour-nament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)... World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 – NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal). 2003 – Canada Tour... Pan American Games (Fourth Place)... NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal). 2002 – Dallas Tour... Six-Nation Tournament (Italy)... Louisville Tour... Bulgaria Tour... Greece Tour... Florida Tour... World Championships. 2001 – Jeep America’s Cup... World University Games. INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Served as the backup opposite in 2012. Finished season with 64 points on 46 kills, 14 aces and four blocks in 65 sets (nine starting). Hitting efficiency was .468… Played in 13 Olym-pic sets as a substitute and three as a starter, finishing with 21 points on 14 kills, one block and six aces. Led the U.S. in scoring in a 3-0 victory over Tunisia with 17 points on 14 attacks, one block and two aces. Scored on three aces as a serving substitute in a 3-2 loss to Russia. Finished Games with a .500 hitting efficiency… Played in 37 World League sets, starting five. Finished with 26 points on 20 attacks, three blocks and three aces. Best match was May 19 against Korea when he scored 16 points on 12 attacks, three blocks and one ace... Played in 12 sets of the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier, starting one against Costa Rica, which was his best match with 10 points on eight kills and two aces. Finished tournament with 17 points on 12 kills and five aces. Hitting efficiency was .857 and his kill percent was 85.7. 2011 – After several years of playing for overseas club teams and on the beach, David was invited to try out for the World

Cup team. He made the preliminary roster, but not the traveling team. 2007 – Played in four Pan American Games match-es... Played in one World League pool-play match. 2006 – Finished the sea-son in second place in team scoring with 332 points and second in kills with 306...Led the U.S. men in scoring in eight out of 11 World Cham-pionship matches... His high was 24 points in a five-set loss to France... Led the team in scoring in its final World League match against Serbia & Montenegro... Team USA finished tied for 10th... Helped the team win the inaugural Pan American Cup in June... Led in scor-ing against Cuba (16) and against the Dominican Republic (15) in the Pan American Cup... Helped

86

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World League. 2008 – Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2006 – FIVB World Championships... FIVB World League... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)... Argentina Tour. 2005 – FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)...World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 – NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... Houston Series... USA Global Challenge (First Place)... Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 2003 – NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal)... World Cup (Fourth Place). 2002 – Florida Tour... World Championships. 2001 – Did not play with the National Team. 2000 – Americas’ Cup... Australia Tour... Continental Cup... Korea Tour... Olympic Games... World League. 1999 – Americas’ Cup... Japan Trip... International Volleyball Challenge... Italy Trip.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Finished 2012 with 28 points on 22 kills (.92 per set) and six blocks (.25 per set)… Was an alternate on the 2012 Olympic Team… Played in 14 pool play sets and started 10 of World League. Finished with 17 points on 14 attacks and three blocks. Scored eight points against Korea in matches on 5-19 in Italy and 6-16 in France…. Played in 10 sets and started seven of the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier. Finished with 11 points on eight kills and three blocks. High was six points on five attacks and one block against Costa Rica... Played the winter of 2011-12 for Lokomotiv Nobosibirsk in Russia’s Super League. 2011 – Finished the season as the team’s fifth-leading scorer with 157 points on 95 attacks, 50 blocks and 12 aces in 97 sets played. He was the team’s third-leading blocker… Was the team’s fifth-leading scorer at the FIVB World Cup with 48 points on 31 kills, 14 blocks and three aces in 32 sets played. He was the team’s third-leading blocker. The U.S. Men placed sixth… Played in 14 sets and started seven at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship where the U.S. Men finished second and qualified for the World Cup. Finished the tournament with 19 points on 10 kills (71.4 kill percent), five blocks and four aces… Played in 51 sets of the FIVB World League. Finished the tournament with 90 points on 54 kills, 31 blocks (0.61 blocks per set) and five aces. He was the United States’ second-leading blocker and was eighth among all blockers in pool play… Played for Asseco Resovia Rzeszów during the winter of 2010-11. 2010 – Suffered a sprained ankle during practice prior to the FIVB World Championship and was not on the roster... Played in 23 sets in the FIVB World League. He posted 25 kills (1.09 per set) and averaged a hitting percentage of .333. His 18 (0.37 per set) stuff blocks was good enough for 33rd among the League’s best blockers. He also totaled six aces (0.12 per set) and a total of 49 points (2.13 per set). 2009 – Took the summer off from the U.S. Men’s team, but played for Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediye in Turkey during the winter of 2009-10. 2008 – Played for Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediye in Turkey during the winter of 2008-09... Finished the 2008 season as the team’s third leading scorer with 253 points in 98 sets (2.58 points per set). Was the team’s leading blocker with 67 (0.68 blocks per set). Finished with 174 kills and a htting percentage of 0.47... Helped the U.S. Men to the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, starting in every match at middle blocker. Eighth among all scorers at the Olympic with 97 points on 66 kills, 26 blocks and five aces. Ryan’s 26 blocks put him fourth among all blockers with an average of 0.79 per set. Was the United States’ leading scorer in the pool play match against Japan with 10 points. During the gold medal match against Brazil, had the winning set for teammate Clay Stanley’s final kill... Helped the U.S. Men to their first World League gold medal. Led the U.S. and was fifth overall in blocking in the final round with nine blocks, 18 faults and 24 rebounds on 51 attempts for an average of 0.60 blocks per set. Third among all blockers in pool play with 25 blocks for a 0.63 average per set. Was the United States’ fourth-leading scorer and ninth overall in pool play with 37 points on 26 kills, nine blocks and two aces... Was named Top Blocker at the NORCECA Olympic qualifier as the U.S. Men won the tournament and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games. Third among the U.S. players in scoring with 42 points on 32 kills and 10 blocks. 2007 – Named USAV’s male indoor player of the year for 2007. He played in 127 sets in 2007, more sets than any other player besides libero Rich Lambourne. Led the U.S. Men in blocks in 2007 with 84, averaging 0.66 blocks per set. He was the second-leading scorer on the U.S. Men’s Team (behind Reid Priddy) with 350 points. Averaged 2.75 points per set... Second among all blockers in the World Cup,

No. 9 Ryan MillarMiddle Blocker * 6-8

Alpine, UtahCollege: Brigham Young

Birth Year: 1978Joined Team: 1999

Courtesy of FIVB

where Team USA placed fourth, with a total of 27 blocks in 40 sets for an average of 0.675 blocks per set... Was the United States’ third-leading scorer, and 19th overall, at the NORCECA Continental Championship. He finished the tournament with 45 points on 36 kills, eight blocks and one ace over five matches... Was the second-leading blocker overall, and the U.S. leader at Americas’ Cup with an average of 0.60 blocks per set... Second among all blockers at the end of World League pool play with 36 blocks in 89 attempts and an average of 0.80 blocks per set. 2006 – Served as team captain when Tom Hoff was not on the court... Led the team in scoring blocks with 51... Fourth on the team in points scored with 122... Played in six out of 12 World League matches. The matches he missed were due to the birth of his son, Max... Helped the team win the inaugural Pan American Cup in June. 2005 – Earned “Best Blocker” accolades at the season-ending FIVB World Grand Champions Cup as the United States won the silver medal with a 4-1 record... Finished the event tops in both total blocks (20) and blocks per set (1.18). Captured “Best Blocker” honors as Team USA won its second-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 15... The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the gold-medal win... Also earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships. 2004 – Made his second-straight Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece as the USA Men finished four overall... Ranked fourth on the team in scoring with 70 points on 53 kills, 16 blocks and one service ace... Tied for fourth overall in total blocks with 16... Team USA qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 2003 – Finished second among all players at the World Cup in blocking with 27 total stuffs (an average of 0.73 per set)... Was also second on the team in scoring (and 18th overall) with 116 total points on 87 kills, 27 blocks and two service aces. 2002 – Rejoined the team in August and helped guide the team to a ninth-place finish at the World Championships in Argentina. 2001 – Did not play with the National Team... Played professionally with Bossini Montichiari in Italy. 2000 – Led the team with a .573 hitting percentage at the Americas’ Cup... Second on the squad with 64 kills and 10 blocks... Recorded 108 kills, 32 blocks, nine aces and a .439 hitting percentage in World League play... et a career high with six blocks against the Netherlands... Helped team USA qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics with 25 kills, four blocks, three aces and a .462 hitting percentage at the Continental Cup... Posted 47 kills, 11 blocks and three aces on the Korea Tour... Played professionally in Italy for Volley Forli. 1999 – Starting middle blocker on the second-place Americas’ Cup team... Helped the team defeat Italy and Yugoslavia on the trip to Italy with 41 kills, 12 blocks and a team-leading .515 hitting percentage... Earned his first international experience on the Japan Tour, posting a team-leading .590 hitting percentage with 44 kills and nine stuff blocks.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: One of only five players to earn AVCA First-Team All-American three times. 1999 – Led BYU to its first NCAA title... Volleyball Magazine National Player of the Year... American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First-Team All-American... First-Team All-MPSF... Finished the season ranked first in the country in hitting percentage (.498) and blocks per game (.2.14). 1998 –AVCA and Volleyball Magazine First-Team All-American... First-Team All-MPSF... Posted a season-high 31 kills against Pepperdine...Finished second in the nation in blocks per game (2.02). 1997 – AVCA and Volleyball Magazine First-Team All-American... MPSF Player of the Year... Finished the year ranked No. 4 in the country in kills per game (6.47) and posted a career-high 48 kills against Pepperdine. 1996 – Volleyball Magazine Freshman of the Year... Third-Team All-MPSF... Ranked second in the country in blocks per game and set a single-match record with 18 total blocks.

PERSONAL: Born Ryan Madsen Millar in 1978 in San Dimas, Calif. ... Parents are Steven and Mardi... He is married to Suzanne... Together, they are proud parents of Max, born in 2006 and Oliver, born in 2010... Ryan also has two brothers: James and Jon... Enjoys snowboarding, golfing and being with his wife... Graduated from BYU in 2001 with a degree in sociology... In July 2006, Millar was named as an assistant coach for the BYU men’s volleyball team under Head Coach Tom Peterson. In August 2006, Ryan was named co-interim head coach of the BYU men’s volleyball team after Peterson’s sudden resignation. After one season with the BYU men’s program, Millar returned to the U.S. Men’s National Team and removed his name from consideration for the BYU head coaching position... His most defining moment was getting married at 19... His happiest moment in sports was winning the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games... Disneyland held a parade for Ryan following the gold medal victory. He also got to throw out the first pitch at an LA Dodgers game and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey and Bonnie Hunt shows... Lists his life goals as “I want to be a great husband, I want to be a great father, and I want to coach an NCAA school to a National Championship.”

87

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2011 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)… London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... 2010 World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2008 – America’s Cup... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)... Four Nations’ Tournament (Gold Medal). 2007 – World University Games (Bronze Medal). 2003 – World University Games (Bronze Medal).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Named an alternate on the 2012 Olympic Team. 2011 – Finished the 2011 season as the team’s fifth-leading scorer with 140 points on 104 attacks, 10 blocks and 26 aces in 92 sets… Played in 29 sets of the FIVB World Cup, including starting the final three matches for Clay Stanley. Finished with 31 points on 22 attacks, five blocks and four aces… Was the only member of the U.S. Men’s National Team to play in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and served as the team’s captain. The team finished fifth. Finished as the second-leading scorer in the tournament with 118 points on 96 kills, 11 blocks, including seven against Puerto Rico, and 11 aces, including five against Argentina. Had the most aces of any player in the tournament, but did not win the best server award because he did not have the best aces-per-set ratio… Saw playing time at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship after starter Clay Stanley suffered an injury. Played in 18 sets, started seven and finished with 31 points on 18 kills (47.4 kill percent), three blocks and 10 aces (0.56 per set). His 10 aces put him second among all servers. The U.S. Men finished second and qualified for the FIVB World Cup… Was the United States’ leading scorer at the London Volleyball International Invitational. He played in all 18 sets and scored 78 points on 67 kill (50.0 kill percent), two blocks and 12 aces (0.67 per set). The U.S. Men finished the tournament in third… Opened 2011 as the third opposite on the depth chart, but moved up to second after Gabe Gardner suffered an injury… Received limited playing time behind Stanley in the FIVB World League. Played in 27 World League sets, mostly as a serving specialist, and finished with six points, including three aces. The U.S. Men finished second in their pool in World League and advanced to the Final Round where they placed seventh. Played for the Air Jumbos in Korea during the winter of 2010-11. 2010 – Appeared in 40 sets during the FIVB World League and tallied eight service aces (0.16 per set) that tied him for second place among the teams’ leaders and 34th among the League’s best servers. Posted 40 kills (0.65 per set) and 13 digs (0.27 per set). 2009 – Played the winter of 2009-10 for Halkbank in the Turkish men’s league... Shared the starting opposite role with Clay Stanley and finished the 2009 season as the U.S. Men’s second-leading scorer with 221 points on 159 kills, 46 aces and 20 blocks. His 46 aces were by far the most on the team and he averaged 0.74 aces per set... Was named best server at the NORCECA Continental Championship as the U.S. Men won the silver medal. He finished with 10 aces... Was named the MVP and Best Server of the 2010 World Championship Qualifier as the United

States won all three matches to qualify for the World Championship. Evan was the United States’ leading scorer and second overall with 37 points on 20 kills, two blocks and 15 aces in six sets played... Was the United States’ second-leading scorer in pool play at the FIVB World League as he shared starting opposite duties with Clay Stanley. He finished with 114 points on 91 kills, six blocks and 17 aces. His 17 aces put him third among all servers with an average of .38 per set. 2008 – Played fall of 2008 for Aon hotVolleys in Vienna before moving to PAOK in Greece in January of 2009.... Was a member of the U.S. Men’s Team that placed fifth at the America’s Cup in Brazil. Was the United States’ leading scorer with 44 points in 13 sets (3.38 points per set)... Was an alternate for the Olympic team... Was named MVP and best server of the Pan American Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as a young U.S. Men’s team won the gold medal, defeating host Canada in the final... Was part of a training team that traveled to Japan to help the Japanese men’s national team prepare for its Olympic qualifying tournament... Played professionally for San Juan Playeros in Puerto Rico and Aris Thessalonica in Greece. 2007 – Was the United States’ leading scorer as the team won the bronze medal at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. 2003 – Helped the United States win a bronze medal at the World University Games in Daegu, Korea (Aug. 21-31).

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2007 – First team American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America... Led the country in kills (5.78/game), service aces (.948/game), and points (7.09/game)... The 2007 All-MPSF First Team selection led the league in kills (5.98/game), aces (1.02/game), and points (7.40/game) in conference matches... Put down 30 or more kills seven times this season and set a new school single-season record with 110 aces... Finished his career with 2,112 kills, second in program history, and is UCSB’s all-time leader in aces with 255. 2006 – Played in 20 matches and started 19 (72 games) before becoming ineligible... Despite missing nine matches, Patak was the national leader in kills per game at 5.88 (423 kills), aces per game at .722 (52 aces), and points per game (7.10)... In MPSF matches only, Patak led the league in kills per game at 6.06 (327 kills, 54 games), aces per game at .741 (40 aces), and points per game (7.13)... Had double figures in kills in all but one match... Posted 20 or more kills in 12 contests... His season-high of 31 kills came in his final match of the year at Cal State Northridge (3/31)... The 31 kills was the most by any Gaucho all season... Aced opponents five or more times in five matches, including a season-high seven against Hawai’i (1/14)... Set a new hitting percentage career-high by going 19-2-26 for a .654 clip against UC San Diego (3/3)... His season-high in points was 36 at Cal State Northridge (3/31), which was the highest point total put up by any UCSB player in 2006... Led the Gauchos in kills (423), kills per game (5.88), attempts (810), aces (52), aces per game (.72), total points (501.5), and points per game (6.97). 2005 – Named First Team All-American and First Team All-MPSF, appearing in 106 games... Led the team with 1,149 total attacks, including 63 in two matches against Hawai’i... Led the nation with 586 kills, including a single match-high of 48 at Stanford to set an NCAA Division I-II rally scoring-era record with 53 total points... Set a new single season UCSB record after leading the Gauchos with 58 service aces. 2004 – Earned AVCA and MPSF Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-American honors... Ranked fourth nationally with a 5.63 points per game average, fifth with a per game kill average of 4.75, and 13th in ace percentage at .385.

PERSONAL: Born Evan Hoburg Patak on June 23, 1984, in Santa Maria, Calif.... Parents are Kim and Gloria Patak... Has an older sister, Jessica... Evan played basketball and volleyball for Foothill High School (1998-2002) in Pleasanton... Evan played club volleyball for Diablo Valley... Graduated from UC Santa Barbara (2007) where he majored in sociology and minored in sports management... Caddyshack is his favorite movie and Top Gear and Entourage are his favorite TV shows... Enjoys mountain biking, wakeboarding, and golfing... His favorite genre of music are Hip Hop, Metal, House and Filthy Dubstep... Golden State Warriors are his favorite professional team... Admires his parents... Likes to watch extreme sports and college basketball.

No. 3 Evan PatakOpposite * 6-8

Pleasanton, CaliforniaCollege: UC Santa Barbara

Birth Year: 1984Joined Team: 2008

USAV

88

No. 8 Reid PriddyOutside Hitter * 6-5Richmond, Virginia

College: Loyola MarymountBirth Year: 1977

Joined Team: 2000

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (silver medal)... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olym-pic Qualification Tournament (gold medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Continental Championship. 2008 – Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualification Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2006 – FIVB World Championships... FIVB World League... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)... Argentina Tour. 2005 – World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 – NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... Japan Tour ... Houston Series... USA Global Challenge (Gold Medal)... Serbia and Montenegro Tour (Silver Medal)... Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 2003 – Colorado/Nebraska Tour... Canada Tour... Pan American Games (Fourth Place)... NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal)... World Cup (Fourth Place). 2002 – Bulgaria Tour... Greece Tour... Florida Tour... World Championships. 2001 – Japan Tour... World League... World Championship Qualifier... NORCECA Zone Champion-ships... Jeep America’s Cup. 1999 – Pan American Games.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Played in 66 sets in 2012 and finished as team’s fourth-leading scorer with 196 points on 146 kills, 32 blocks and 18 aces. Hitting efficiency was .342. Also finished with 74 digs (1.12 per set)… Finished the Olympic Games with 55 points on 37 kills, 10 blocks and eight aces in 18 sets. His eight aces put him sixth among Olympic players. Credited with 20 digs. Tourney-high was 20 points (16 kills, two blocks, two aces) scored against Brazil in a 3-1 vic-tory… Was the team’s fourth-leading scorer in World League, finishing with 94 points on 74 kills, 16 blocks and four aces in 34 sets. Tourney-high was 16 points (12 kills, four blocks) scored against France on June 30... Played in 14 out of 16 sets at the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier. Fin-ished as the team’s third-leading scorer with 47 points on 35 kills, six blocks and six aces. Hitting efficiency was .400. Scored tourney-best 12 points against Mexico (May 9) and Canada (May 12)…. Played the win-ter of 2011-12 for Zenit Kazan in Russia and helped them to the Russian league championship. 2011 – Although he only competed in two tour-naments, Priddy finished the season as the U.S. Men’s third-leading scorer with 311 points on 262 kills, 31 blocks and 18 aces in 88 sets played. Kill percent was 47.7 and his hitting efficiency was .406... Was the U.S. Men’s third-leading scorer at the FIVB World Cup with 106 points on 86 kills, 13 blocks and seven aces. He was third on the team in digs with 39. The U.S. Men finished sixth… While training for the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship, was elbowed in the face during practice while coming down from a block. The injury and its re-sulting complications required two surgeries and he was not able to play in the tournament… Was the United States’ third-leading scorer of the FIVB World League, finishing the tournament with 205 points (3.87 per set) on 176 kills (50.0 kill percent), 18 blocks and 11 aces. Finished World League pool play ninth among all hitters and was credited with 158 kills on 320 attempts for a success percentage of 49.38. Played the winter of 2010-11 for Zenit Kazan in Russia’s Super League. The team won the league championship. 2010 – Finished the season as the team’s third leading scorer with 161 points on 136 kills, eight blocks (0.19 per set) and seven aces (0.16 per set) in 42 sets played. Third on

the team in kills and fifth in digs with 55 (1.31 digs per set)... Played in 26 sets for the U.S. Men at the FIVB World Championship in Italy where the U.S. Men finished sixth. Was the U.S. Men’s second-leading scorer and 21st overall, finishing with 100 points on 84 kills, 11 blocks and five aces. Was the team’s third-leading spiker and 28th overall with 84 kills and 33 faults on 191 attempts for a success percentage of 43.98... Played in 17 sets for the U.S. men in the FIVB World League and tallied 51 kills. His 3.0 kills per set was the team high and his .382 attacking percentage was good enough for third among the team. He also tallied seven stuff blocks (0.14 per set) and 16 digs (0.33 per set). Finished the League with 51 points and his 3.00 points per set was good enough for a fourth place finish on the squad. Played the winter of 2009-10 for Lokomotive Novosibirsk in Russia’s Super League. 2009 – Took most of the summer of 2009 off from the U.S. Men’s Team and played some beach volleyball on the AVP tour. Returned to the team for the NORCE-CA Continental Championship, where he tied with Evan Patak as the team’s leading scorer, finishing with 49 points on 40 kills, six blocks and three aces. His hitting efficiency for the tournament was .442. Played the winter of 2008-09 for Lokomotiv Novosibirsk in Russia’s Super League. 2008 – Helped the U.S. Men win the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games. Finished fourth among all scorers and second among U.S. scorers with 112 points on 93 kills, 10 blocks and nine aces. His kill efficiency percentage of 30.1 put him 10th among all hitters. Fifth among servers with an average of 0.27 aces per set. He averaged 1.79 digs per set... Helped the U.S. Men win their first FIVB World League title. Tied Clay Stanley for second in scoring in the final round behind Serbia’s Ivan Miljkovic. Reid finished the final round with 63 points on 53 kills, six blocks and four aces. Was also the team’s leading scorer in pool play with 101 points on 82 kills, 10 blocks and nine aces... Helped the U.S. Men win the NORCECA Olympic qualifying tournament. Scored 24 points on 19 kills, three aces and two blocks. 2007 – Was the United States’ leading scorer in 2007 with 525 points scored in 121 sets for an average of 4.34 points per set. His season-high was the 21 points he scored against Poland in the third-place match at World League. Led the team in kills with 421 in 822 attempts. Tied Clay Stanley for most aces on the team in 2007 with 29. He was second on the team in digs with an average of 2.1 digs per set and was third in stuff blocks with 65... Was the United States’ scoring leader in the World Cup, World League and NORCECA Continental Championship... Finished the World Cup tied for ninth overall with 139 points scored on 112 kills, 15 blocks and 12 aces. Was the United States’ leading receiver and second overall at the World Cup with a 71.43 efficiency percentage... Finished the NORCECA Championship with 72 points on 63 kills, six aces and three blocks in five matches... Was the leading receiver at the Americas’ Cup tournament with 66 “excellents” and only one fault in 96 attempts. Had 29 service receptions... Just missed winning the World League’s Top Scorer award when he was passed by Russia’s Semen Poltavsky in the final match. Finished the World League final round with 61 points scored on 53 kills, four blocks and four serves. Completed pool play as the tournament’s third-leading scorer with 181 points on 143 kills, 24 blocks and 14 kills in 12 matches. 2006 – Led the team in overall scoring in 2006 with 416 and in overall kills with 343. His kill percentage was 48 percent... Also led the team in aces with 26. Was second on the team in scoring blocks with 47... Led the U.S. team in scoring in seven out of 12 World League matches, including 21 points against Serbia & Montene-gro... Was one of the overall World League leaders in scoring and hit-ting during pool play... Helped the U.S. team go undefeated (4-0) at the inaugural Pan American Cup in June... Reid led the team in scoring on the Argentina tour... Had the high score in the first (18), third (23) and fifth (16) matches in Argentina. 2005 – Made his indoor season debut in Japan at the World Grand Champions Cup as the USA Men claimed the silver medal with a record of 4-1... Played in each of the final four matches (eight out of 13 sets) and scored 27 points on 23 kills, two blocks and two service aces... Finished ninth three times in 10 Associa-tion of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) tournaments during the year.

89

2004 – Made his first-ever Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece as the U.S.Men finished fourth overall...Priddy finished second on the team and 11th overall in total scoring with 86 points on 72 kills, 11 blocks and three service aces...Team USA qualified for the 2004 Olym-pic Games in Athens, Greece, by winning the NORCECA Olympic Quali-fying Tournament in Caguas, Puerto Rico on Jan. 10... The men posted a perfect record of 6-0 en route to the gold medal, which included a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Cuba in the championship match...Scored a match-high 16 points on 13 kills and three blocks in the cham-pionship match. 2003 – Emerged as one of the starting outside hitters on the left side...Served as the team captain at the Pan American Games...Battled an abdominal injury for much of the season but still finished third on the team in kills (224) and fourth on the squad in ser-vice aces (17). 2002 – Rejoined the team in late July...Played in 58 of a possible 141 sets during the year...Led the team in total points (70), kills (60) and blocks (eight) in six matches at the World Championships... Finished the season first on the team in points per game (2.98) and sixth in total points (173)...Also had 92 kills, 66 digs, 21 blocks and 10 service aces. 2001 - Led the team in kills (258) and digs (184)...Finished second on the team in blocks (41) and was tied for third in service aces (14)...Played professionally for the Vienna Hotvolleys in Austria. 2000 – Was one of four USA Men’s Volleyball team alternates for the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2000 – Earned American Volleyball Coaches Association first-team All-America honors as a senior at Loyola Mary-mount University. 1999 – Earned AVCA second-team All-America hon-ors for the second-straight season... Also garnered second-team all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF)honors... Led the team in

kills (435), kills per game (5.80) and service aces (35). 1998 – Became the first All-American in school history when he was named to the sec-ond-team AVCA All-American team... Led the Lions with 391 kills and in matches with 10-or-more kills (17)... Was second on the team in kills per game (4.83), digs (178) and digs per game (2.20)... Also earned all-MPSF honorable mention accolades. 1997 – Appeared in 18 matches (42 games)... Posted 150 kills, 70 digs and 12 service aces.

PERSONAL: Born William Reid Priddy in 1977 in Richmond, Va.... Par-ents are Ken and Sharon Priddy... Also has three sisters: Brooke, Kara and Dylan... Reid married Lindsay Pierce in March 2007. The couple lives in Southern California and has a son, Caden, born in 2010... Enjoys wakeboarding, surfing and making videos... Graduated from LMU with a degree in communication studies in 2000... Was also recruited by Cal State Northridge, USC and UC Santa Barbara... Has played beach vol-leyball when he has time away from the national team... Reid started playing volleyball after his family moved from Richmond to Florida where he tried it in a summer-school PE class... When his family later moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1994, he played for Mountain Pointe High School, participating in the first year of varsity volleyball in the state. As a junior, he led the school to its first state championship in 1995. He graduated from high school in 1996. “Men’s volleyball was such a new sport in our area that there was no example to follow. At the time we would shop at the thrift store for our clothes, trying to find the craziest outfit we could. We were very active, playing beach volleyball, wake-boarding, going to the lake and jumping off rocks and stuff like that.”... Reid has played internationally in Greece, Russia and Turkey…. Reid had an Internet radio show called The NET Live devoted to volleyball, which he hosts with former U.S. Men’s player Kevin Barnett.

90

No. 2 Sean RooneyOutside Hitter * 6-9

Wheaton, IllinoisCollege: Pepperdine

Birth Year: 1982Joined Team: 2007

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship. FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2008 – Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Cup... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... Pan American Games (Silver Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2003 – World University Games (bronze).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – After recovering from a shoulder injury, Rooney returned to the team for World League as a backup outside hitter… Finished 2012 season sixth on team in scoring with 132 points on 102 attacks, 23 blocks and seven aces. Hitting efficiency was .434. Credited with 48 digs (1.3 per set)… Finished the Olympic Games with 20 points on 14 kills and six blocks in eight sets. Hitting efficiency was .444. In his best match he started all three sets in a 3-0 win over Tunisia and scored 12 points on eight attacks and four blocks… Finished World League as the team’s fourth-leading scorer with 112 points on 68 attacks, 17 blocks and seven aces. He was also credited with 34 digs. In his best match he scored 21 points (16 kills, three blocks, two aces) against Korea on June 17. His overall performance helped him land a spot on his second straight Olympic Team. 2011 –Struggled with an injured shoulder for much of the season and saw limited playing time. Played in 16 sets and scored 45 points on 43 attacks and two blocks… Played in nine sets of the FIVB World Cup. He finished with 31 points on 31 attacks… Sean played in four sets of the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship and started three. He scored 11 points on nine kills and two blocks. The U.S. Men placed second and qualified for the FIVB World Cup… Played in three World League sets and had three points… Played for Acqua Paradiso Monza Brianza in Italy’s Serie A league during the winter of 2011-12. 2010 – Finished the 2010 season as the team’s second-leading scorer with 198 points (3.25 points per set) on 170 kills (0.27 hitting percentage), 25 blocks (0.41 blocks per set) and three aces (0.05 aces per set) in 61 sets played. Second on the team in kills. Had 60 digs (0.98 digs per set), which was fourth best on the team. Played in 28 sets at the FIVB World Championship in Italy. Was the United States’ third-leading scorer and 22nd overall with 99 points on 88 kills and 11 blocks. Led the U.S. in kills and was 20th overall with 88 kills and 21 faults on 184 attempts for a success percentage of 47.83… Played in 33 sets in the FIVB World league and was the team’s second-best scorer with 104 total points and 3.15 points per set. His 89 kills (2.70 per set) were good enough for 32nd place among the league’s top hitters. He also tallied 12 stuff blocks (0.24 per set) and his 21(0.43 per set) digs placed him tied for second best on the squad… Played for Acqua Paradiso Monza Brianza in Italy’s Serie A league during the winter of 2010-11. 2009 – Named USA Volleyball’s Male Indoor Player of the Year for 2009… Finished as the team’s leading scorer with 258 points on 224 kills, 22 blocks and 12 aces. Hitting efficiency was .435. Led the team in digs with 80 (1.19 per set)... Was the U.S. Men’s third-leading scorer at the NORCECA Continental Championship with 48 points on 40 kills, seven blocks and one ace... Named Best Spiker at the 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier. Finished the competition with 19 kills and one error on 29 attempts for a success percentage of 65.52... Was the United States’ leading scorer in both pool play and the final round of the FIVB World League competition. Started every pool play match except the final one against Netherlands. Finished pool play with 167 points on 149 kills, 15 blocks and three aces in 42 sets to put him eighth overall. In the final round, he had 20 points on 17 kills, two blocks and one ace in six sets. During the winter of 2009-10, Sean played for Fakel Novy Urengoi in Russia’s Super League. 2008 – Finished the 2008 season with 167 points (2.98 points per set) on 140 kills (2.5 per set), 20 blocks and seven aces and a hitting efficiency of .410… Won a gold medal

at the 2008 Olympic Games, playing primarily as a substitute and serving specialist... Helped the U.S. Men win their first FIVB World League title. Led the team in scoring with 20 points in a loss to Bulgaria on June 21...Helped the U.S. Men win the Four Nations Tournament on May 11-13 in Germany... Named “Best Spiker” of the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying tournament. Finished the tournament with 46 points on 43 kills and three blocks… During the winter of 2008-09, Sean played for Fakel Novy Urengoi in Russia’s Super League 2007 – Finished the 2007 season as the U.S. team’s seventh-leading scorer with 151 points. Averaged 2.07 points per set in 73 sets. Hitting efficiency was .444 and he averaged 1.88 kills per set... Named Most Valuable Player of the U.S. Men’s match against Egypt at the FIVB World Cup. Scored 18 points on 15 kills, two blocks and one ace as the United States won in straight sets... Was the team’s leading scorer at the Pan American Games and third overall with 64 points on 58 kills, five blocks and one ace in five matches. He was the Pan Am Games’ leading “spiker” with an efficiency percentage of 42.11... Traveled to every World League match and started in four… Played the winter of 2007-08 for played for Dinamo-Yantar in Russia’s Super League… 2003 – Played with the 2003 World University Games team that won a bronze medal in Daegu, Korea.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2005 – By the end of his college career, Sean ranked second nationally among NCAA Division I-II players in points per game with 6.35 while hitting .395 on the season as he led Pepperdine to the 2005 NCAA national championship... He extended his consecutive double-digit kill match streak to 50 matches, while averaging 1.46 digs and 0.49 aces per game. Totaled 20 or more kills in 14 matches, including two 30-plus kill contests in 2005... Was a four-time AVCA All-American and only the seventh male student-athlete to achieve such an honor. 2004 – Had a stellar season culminating in being named Volleyball Magazine’s Player of the Year... Postseason accolades included being named AVCA first team All-American and Volleyball first team All-American... Tabbed MPSF first team All-Conference... Led the team with 461 kills and hit .406 for the year... Banged out double-digit kills in final 25 matches of the season and 26 of 28 total. 2003 – Named First Team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and by Volleyball Magazine; Tabbed First-Team All-MPSF. As a key component to the Wave’s 24-6 season, led the team with a total of 480 kills (.354 hitting percentage) and also led the team in kills per game, with an average of 4.53. Contributed 25 service aces and 83 total blocks on the season. Averaged 4.53 kills, .16 assists, .24 service aces, 1.59 digs and .78 blocks per game. 2002 – Selected the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) “Freshman of the Year”... Helped Pepperdine compile a 29-5 record and advance to the NCAA title match before losing a four-game decision to Hawaii... The Waves captured the regular season MPSF title with a 20-2 mark and won the league’s post-season tournament... A second team All-American selection by the AVCA and a second team All-MPSF pick as a rookie... Led the Waves with 510 kills, an average of 4.11 a game, and .378 attack percentage.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Attended Wheaton-Warrenville South High School. Was the 2001 Illinois State Player of the Year as he led the team to a state championship. He also competed in golf and basketball... Competed in the 1999 Junior National Championships, with the U.S. Junior National Team in 2000, and with the AAU National championship teams in 2000 and 2001, garnering the MVP award in 2001.

PERSONAL: Born Sean Michael Rooney in 1982 in Wheaton, Ill.... Parents are Mike and Carol Rooney... Sean also has two sisters, Melissa and Megan... Graduated from Pepperdine in 2005 with a degree in business administration... In 2004, Rooney joined the AVP beach volleyball tour. His highest placing was fifth, which he achieved three times. Was considered a sports celebrity in South Korea when he played volleyball for the Hyundai Skywalkers in 2006 and 07… Enjoys the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack Johnson, The Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dave Matthews and the Counting Crows... SportsCenter is his favorite TV show.... Calls his grandfather his role model for “devoting his life to helping others.”

91

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – FIVB World League... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (gold medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup... London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal). 2010 - FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 - NORCECA Continental Championship (Silver Medal)... Brazil Tour. 2008 - Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... Four Nations’ Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 - FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2006 - FIVB World Championships... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2005 - Pacific Northwest Tour vs. Netherlands... USOC International Sports Invitational (Silver Medal)... Argentina Tour... America’s Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)... World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 - NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal) ... Houston Series... USA Global Challenge (First Place)... Serbia and Montenegro Tour (Second Place)... Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 2003 - Colorado/Nebraska Tour... Canada Tour... Pan American Games (Fourth Place)... NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal)...World Cup (Fourth Place). 2002 - Bulgaria Tour...Greece Tour...Florida Tour... World Championships. 2001 - Japan Tour... World League... World Championship Qualifier... NORCECA Zone Championships... Jeep America’s Cup. 2000 - France Tour.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Riley helped the U.S. men win the gold medal at NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament on May 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif. 2011 – Riley played as both a libero and an outside hitter in 2011... He finished the season with 47 digs in 34 sets played (1.38 digs per set)… Riley played in 16 sets of the FIVB World Cup, both as an outside hitter (in the back row) and as a libero. He finished with 17 digs… Riley made the move from outside hitter to libero for 2011 and made his debut at the position at the London Volleyball International Invitational, a 2012 Olympic test event… He led the team in receptions with 101 and added 30 digs (1.67 per set). 2010 - Riley finished the 2010 season with 46 points (2.0 points per set) on 41 kills and five blocks (0.17 blocks per set). He played in 23 sets... Riley played in four sets and started two at the FIVB World Championship in Italy where the U.S. Men finished sixth. He scored three points... Riley played in 19 sets in the FIVB World League and tallied 41 kills (2.16 per set). He finished the League with a .247 hitting percentage and a total of 45 points (2.37 per set). He also tallied four stuff blocks and 14 digs (0.29 per set). 2009 - During the winter of 2009-10, Riley played for Vivo/Minas in the Brazilian men’s league… Riley helped the U.S. Men win the silver medal at the NORCECA Continental Championship in Puerto Rico... Riley joined a group of veterans and younger players for the Tour of Brazil where they played five exhibition matches. 2008 - Riley helped the U.S. Men win the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He finished 14th among all scorers with 83 points on 771 kills, eight blocks and four aces... Helped the U.S. Men win their first FIVB World League title. Was the team’s third-leading scorer, eighth overall, in the final round with 39 points on 36 kills, two blocks and one ace... Riley helped the U.S. Men win the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier in Caguas, Puerto Rico and qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. Riley finished the tournament with 39 points on 33 kills, five blocks and one ace. He was credited with 72 receptions. 2007 - Riley played in 123 sets for the U.S. Men in 2007 and was the team’s third-leading scorer with 330 points on 284 kills, 30 blocks and 11 aces. He leads all starters with a hitting percentage of 0.633. Riley was third on the team in digs with 207 (1.68 digs per set)... Riley was named the MVP of the United States’ World Cup match against Bulgaria as he scored 23 points on 20 kills, one block and two aces. Salmon converted 57 percent of his spike attempts to points. He also had five digs and 18 “excellent” serve receptions in 30 attempts as Team USA defeated Bulgaria and went on to finish fourth at the World Cup. Riley was the United States’ second-leading receiver and seventh overall at the World

No. 10 Riley SalmonOutside Hitter * 6-6League City, Texas

College: Pierce CollegeBirth Year: 1976

Joined Team: 2001

Cup with a 61.70 efficiency percentage... Riley was the United States’ fourth-leading scorer and 22nd overall at the NORCECA Continental Championship. He finished the tournament with 37 kills and four blocks. He was the team’s leading scorer in its final NORCECA match against Puerto Rico with 16 points on 16 kills... Riley was the United States’ third leading scorer, and 13th overall, in the World League final round, finishing with 36 points on 31 kills, three blocks and two aces... Riley was the United States’ third-leading hitter and eighth overall in World League pool play with 93 kills in 184 attempts for a success rate of 50.54 percent. He was the team’s third-leading receiver and sixth overall with 129 “excellents” in 222 attempts. 2006 - Riley tied Jim Polster for the third greatest number of kills at the World Championships with 82. He was also third in digs with 63... For the season, Riley was fourth on the team in kills with 132, even though he did not play in the World League. He was also fourth in digs with 98... Riley was on the roster for the World League, but never got to play due to a shoulder injured due to overuse... He helped the U.S. to a gold medal at the inaugural Pan American Cup in Mexico. 2005 - Riley, who led the team in scoring 12 times during the year, led the United States in total points (381), points per set (3.66) and kills (322) during the year... Finished second on the team in kills per set (3.10), service aces (23) and digs (154)... He capped the 2005 season as a member of the USA squad that captured the silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan... The Americans, who lost to defending Olympic gold medalist Brazil in the first match of the tournament, lost just one set the rest of the way as they defeated Japan (3-1), 2004 Olympic silver medalist Italy (3-0), Egypt (3-0) and China (3-0) en route to their fifth medal in five events this season... Scored a team-high-tying 16 points on 15 kills and one ace as the USA Men stunned the world’s best team when it defeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Brazil in five sets to win the America’s Cup tournament in Brazil on Aug. 7... Salmon was named “Best Server” of the America’s Cup... Helped Team USA win its second-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 15... The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the gold-medal win... Also captured Most Valuable Player and “Best Spiker” honors and earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships. 2004 - Riley made his first-ever Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece... Team USA qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caguas, Puerto Rico on Jan. 10... The men posted a perfect record of 6-0 en route to the gold medal, which included a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Cuba in the championship match... Scored 10 points on nine kills and one service ace in the championship match. 2003 - Member of the team that played in the NORCECA Zone Championships in Mexico as Team USA captured the gold medal and a berth in the 2003 World Cup, the first Olympic qualifier... Emerged as a force on the left side during the World Cup...Finished third on the team in scoring and 24th overall with 103 points. 2002 - Rejoined the team in late July... Played in just 36 of a possible 141 sets during the year... Still had 86 total points, 71 kills, nine blocks, six blocks and 20 digs... Posted a hitting percentage of .318 and averaged 2.39 points per set. 2001 - Finished third on the team in kills (167) and fourth in service aces (12)... Also had 88 digs and 14 blocks... Played professionally for P.A.O.K. in Greece.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: Played two years of varsity volleyball at Pierce College in Los Angeles, Calif., from 1994-96.

PERSONAL: Born Riley Salmon in 1976 in Amarillo, Texas... Parents are Mike and Jennalee Clepper... His wife’s name is Millie... He also has one sister: Sari... Riley and Millie have one daughter, Isabel Maria, born in December, 2005 and one son, Lincoln Riley, born in October, 2008... Riley attended Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas... Tried Little League baseball, tennis and basketball before taking up volleyball... Riley was working as a warehouse supervisor for General Electric in 1999 when a scout called him and asked him to try out for a professional volleyball team in Italy... Riley enjoys sports and reading... Favorite sports team is the Houston Rockets of the NBA... Favorite TV show is “The Simpsons.”... Favorite musical group is Limp Bizkit.

92

No. 20 David SmithMiddle Blocker * 6-7

Saugus, CaliforniaCollege: UC IrvineBirth Year: 1985

Joined Team: 2009

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal) 2011 – London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal)... Pan American Cup (Silver Medal). 2010 – Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2009 – Brazil Tour… 2010 World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)… FIVB World League. 2007 – World University Games (bronze medal). 2005 – FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship. 2004 – NORCECA Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship (silver medal).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Served as a backup middle blocker in 2012. Played in 47 sets and started 29. Finished with 75 points on 48 attacks, 20 blocks and seven aces. Hitting efficiency was .627… Played 10 sets of the Olympic Games, including three as a starter in a 3-0 win over Tunisia. Finished that match and the Games with eight points on five kills (.833 hitting efficiency), one block and two aces… After not playing for the top team in 2011, got his chance in 2012 when he was named to the World League squad and he played in 37 sets, starting 26. Finished with 67 points on 43 attacks (.609 hitting efficiency), 19 blocks and five aces. His best match was 17 points (10 kills, five blocks, two aces) against Italy on June 22 in Korea. His performance helped him earn a spot on the 2012 Olympic Team… During the winter of 2011-12, played for Tours in France’s A League. 2011 – Played in 16 sets and started 10 at the London Volleyball Invitational where the U.S. Men finished third... Finished with 20 points on 11 kills, six blocks and three aces... Started all 16 sets of the Pan American Cup as the U.S. Men finished second to Brazil in Canada... Tied as the United States’ second-leading scorer with 45 points on 26 kills, 13 blocks and six aces... Smith’s 13 blocks led the team and was third among all blockers... His six aces placed him sixth among all servers. Played during the winter of 2010-11 for Unicaja Almeria in Spain’s club league. 2010 – Was on the U.S. Men’s A2 Team that won the Pan American Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Was the team’s fourth-leading scorer and 18th among all scorers with 42 points on 30 kills, nine blocks and three aces. Played during the 2009-10 winter season for San Sebastian in the Puerto Rican men’s league. Led the league in blocks during the regular season and was named to the All-Star team. 2009 – Part of a group of mostly younger players who traveled to Brazil on Sept. 22-27 for five friendly matches. The U.S. lost all five... Won the Best Blocker award at the World Championship Qualifier on Aug. 15-17 in Irvine, Calif., as the U.S. Men won the event. Finished with nine blocks and five errors on 22 attempts and an average of one block per set… Was not originally on the roster to play at World League, but was added at the last minute when Riley Salmon couldn’t play. Played in all but two pool play matches and started five sets. He played as a substitute in two final round matches. 2007 – Played on U.S. Men’s Team that won the bronze medal at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. 2005 – Played on the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team that finished eighth in the 2005 FIVB Men’s U-21 World Volleyball Championships in Andhra Pradesh, India. 2004 – Helped the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team to a second place finish at the 2004 NORCECA Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2007 – Named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team…Named first team All-American and first team All-MPSF…Led the nation with a .559 hitting percentage, a new UCI season record…Hit .567 (61-6-97) in UCI’s five post-season wins…Averaged 2.44 kills per game overall…Hit .573 (199-23-307) against MPSF opponents which led the conference…Topped the squad with a 1.37 blocking average overall (6th nationally) and had a 1.44 mark versus MPSF teams (3rd)…Hit .500 or better in 23 of the 34 matches this year, including hitting .800 or above five times…Recorded a block assist in every match this season, recording seven or more blocks nine times…UCI career block assists leader with

471 and total blocks leader with 520…Sixth in UCI career solo blocks with 49…Set a UCI season record with 160 block assists… Named the MVP of the 2007 USA Volleyball Open National Championships. 2006 – Named All-MPSF honorable mention...averaged 2.19 kills per game and owned a .412 hitting percentage...ranked 16th nationally in hitting and ranks third best in the UCI season record book...second on the team with a 1.27 blocking average which was 14th in the country...hit .700 or better six times, including .769 in the regular season meeting with Penn State, the eighth best mark in a match at UCI...had 13 block assists versus Long Beach State (4/1) which tied the UCI match record...his 129 block assists was third in the season record book and his 143 total blocks ranked fourth in a season...is ranked fourth in career block assists (301) and total blocks (338)... 2005 – Averaged 2.16 kills per game...second on the squad in hitting percentage at .401, which ranks third on the UCI season list...second on the team with a 0.86 blocking average...recorded kills in double-digits 11 times... 2004 – Averaged 2.22 kills per game which was fourth on the squad...led the team in hitting percentage at .369, which ranks ninth in the UCI season records...second on the team with a 1.03 blocking average...had 102 block assists, which is ninth most in a season at UCI...recorded kills in double-digits eight times...totaled a career-high nine block assists against USC and pounded a career-best 17 kills against Penn State...recorded at least one block assist in all but two matches...hit .846 against Pacific which ranks third in the UCI match record books...also ranks eighth in match hitting percentage with a .737 clip versus Pepperdine.

PERSONAL: Born David Smith on May 15, 1985 in Panorama City, Calif… Parents are Rick and Nancy… Has an older brother, Robert, and a younger sister, Kristen… David married wife, Kelli in 2008. Son Cohen was born in 2012... David was born with mild-to-severe hearing loss. He wears hearing aids to assist him on and off the court. He also reads lips… David attended Saugus High School (1999-2003) where he played both volleyball and soccer… Studying civil engineering at UC Irvine… Shredded beef is his favorite food… The Bible is his favorite book… Favorite big screen flick is the Italian Job...Watches The Office… Favorite bands are Supertones and Switchfoot… Anaheim Angels are his favorite professional team… Enjoys music and golf… Admires his parents for their unwavering support and love… Likes to watch basketball…Winning the 2007 NCAA Division I men’s volleyball national championship is his happiest sports memory.

USA Volleyball/Jose Jimenez

93

No. 13 Clay StanleyOpposite * 6-9

Honolulu, HawaiiCollege: HawaiiBirth Year: 1987

Joined Team: 2008

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (silver medal)... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (gold medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… NORCECA Men’s Continental Champion-ship (Silver Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World Championship... FIVB World League. 2009 – NORCECA Con-tinental Championship (Silver Medal)... 2010 FIVB World Cham-pionship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2008 – Olympic Games (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying Championship (Gold Medal). 2007 – FIVB World Cup... NORCECA Continental Championship (Gold Medal)... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League (Bronze Medal). 2006 – FIVB World Championships... FIVB World League. 2005 – NORCECA Conti-nental Championships (Gold Medal)...World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 – NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tourna-ment (Gold Medal)... Japan Tour...Houston Series... USA Global Challenge (Gold Medal)... Serbia and Montenegro Tour (Silver Medal)... Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 2003 – Colorado/Nebras-ka Tour... Canada Tour... NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal)... World Cup (Fourth Place). 2002 - Louisville Tour... Bul-garia Tour... Greece Tour... Florida Tour... World Championships. 2001 – Japan Tour... World League... NORCECA Zone Champi-onships... Jeep America’s Cup. 1999 – World University Games... Pan American Games.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Finished the 2012 sea-son as the team’s second-leading scorer with 358 points (4.11 points per set) on 269 kills, 49 blocks and a team-leading 40 aces (.43 per set) in 92 sets. Was fourth on the team in digs with 87 (.95 per set). Hitting efficiency was .452… Was the U.S. Men’s second-leading scorer at the Olympic Games – and 14th among all players – with 79 points (4.39 per set) on 62 kills, six aces and 11 blocks in five matches (18 sets) played. High score was 19 points (16 kills, three aces) in a 3-1 pool play win over Brazil. Hitting efficiency for the tournament was .437… Was the second-leading scorer for the U.S. Men at World League, finishing with 218 points on 167 at-tacks, 27 blocks and 24 aces. Played in 37 out of 60 sets. Hitting efficiency was .448. Credited with 24 digs. Named Best Server of the Final Round with nine aces in 14 sets for an average of .64. He was also second among all players in scoring in the final round with 62 points on 49 kills, four blocks and nine aces... Named tourna-ment MVP of the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualifica-tion Tournament where he started 15 out of 16 sets and was the team’s second-leading scorer with 61 points (4.07 per set) on 40 kills, 11 blocks, and 10 aces. Scoring high was 17 (nine kills, four blocks, four aces) in semifinals against Cuba. Hitting efficiency was .500 and his kill percent was 55.5. Played the winter of 2011-12 for Ural Ufa in the Russian Super League. 2011 – Named the USA Vol-leyball 2011 Male Indoor Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row… Took over as U.S. team captain for the NORCECA Conti-nental Championship when former captain Reid Priddy could not compete due to injury… Finished the 2011 season as the team’s second-leading scorer with 373 points in 97 sets played. Led the team in aces with 53 (.55 aces per set). He was second kills (265/2.73 kills per set), blocks (55/.57 blocks per set) and digs

(138/1.42 digs per set)… Was the team’s second-leading scorer and 16th overall at the FIVB World Cup with 125 points on 89 kills, 22 blocks and 18 aces, even though he did not play in the team’s final three matches. Led the team in aces and finished second overall. He led the team in blocks and was 14th overall. Second on the team in attacks and 10th overall... Suffered an ankle injury in the first set of the first match of the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship, but came back to help the United States defeat Cuba in pool play and started against Puerto Rico in the semifinals and Cuba in the final. Ended up scoring 40 points in 13 sets played on 28 successful attacks (44.4 kill percent), five blocks and seven aces… One of three players to compete in all 58 sets of the FIVB World League. Was the team’s second-leading scorer with 208 points on 152 kills (39.2 kill percent), 28 blocks and 28 aces. Fin-ished pool play first among all servers with 25 aces. Played the winter of 2010-11 for Ural Ufa in the Russian Super League. 2010 – Named the USA Volleyball Men’s Indoor Player of the Year for 2010... Finished the season as the team’s leading scorer with 252 points (3.82 points per set) on 191 kills (0.25 hitting percentage), 28 blocks (0.42 blocks per set) and 33 aces (0.50 aces per set). His kills and aces led the team. He also had 80 digs (1.21 digs per set), which was third best on the team... Played every set (33) of every match (9) for the United States at the FIVB World Championship in Italy where the team placed sixth. He was named the tournament’s Best Server, finishing with 23 aces and 36 faults on 155 attempts for an average of 0.70 aces per set. Was the United States’ leading scorer at the World Championship and sixth overall, finishing with 150 points on 109 kills, 18 blocks and 23 aces. His 18 blocks tied him for the team lead with David Lee and he was 11th among all blockers with an average of 0.55 blocks per set. Second on the team in digs with 51 and 21 faults in 79 attempts for an average of 1.55 digs per set... Played in 33 sets in World League and was the team’s best scorer with 113 points good enough for 31st among league players. Led the team in points per set with 3.42. His 2.76 kills per set was the teams’ second highest and he posted the team-high 91 kills. He tallied 12 aces (0.24 per set) and 10 stuff blocks (0.24 per set) while also posting 14 digs (0.35 per set)... Played the winter of 2009-10 for Zenit Kazan in the Russian Super Leauge. 2009 – Finished 2009 as the fifth-leading scorer on the team, finish-ing with 137 points on 107 kills, 16 aces and 14 blocks in 42 sets. His hit-ting per-c e n t a g e was 0.445. His 16 aces put him sec-ond on the t e a m . . . Scored 22 points on 17 kills, four blocks and one ace at t h e NORCECA Continental Champion-ship as the U.S. Men f i n i s h e d s e c o n d . . .

94

Played in eight World League pool play match-es, splitting time with fel-low opposite Evan Patak, and started both final round matches as the U.S. Men won their pool and went on to finish sixth. Fin-ished World League pool play with 80 points on 63 kills, five blocks and 12 aces... Was the United States’ third leading scorer in the final round with 18 points on 17 kills and one ace… Played the winter of 2009-09 with Zenit Kazan in the Russian Super League. 2008 – Finished the 2008 season as the team’s co-leading scorer with 356 points (3.83 points per set) and as the

team leader in aces with 36 (.39 aces per set). Finished second on the team in kills with 281 (3.02 kills per set) and third on the team in digs with 112 (1.20 digs per set). He had a total of 39 blocks (.42 blocks per set), and a hitting percentage of 0.42... Named MVP of the Olympic men’s volleyball tournament as the U.S. Men won the gold medal. Was the top scorer of the tournament with 146 points on 116 kills, 15 blocks and 15 aces. Was the leading server, aver-aging 0.45 aces per set. He was the leading scorer in seven out of eight of the United States’ matches. Finished fifth among hitters with an efficiency percentage of 32.91... Helped the U.S. Men win their first World League title and tied teammate Reid Priddy for sec-ond in scoring in the final round. Finished with 63 points on 50 kills, eight blocks and five aces. Stanley’s five aces put him fourth among all servers in the final round with an average of 0.33 per set. Clay had 11 aces in pool play to finish seventh overall... Named the top server at the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier. Finished the qualifier as the top U.S. scorer with 49 points on 33 kills, 10 aces and six blocks… Played the winter of 2007-08 with Zenit Kazan in the Rus-sian Super League. 2007 – Finished the 2007 season with 39 aces to tie Reid Priddy for the team lead. Was fifth on the team in scoring with 281 points and averaged 2.81 points per set... Was the United States’ leading server and fifth overall at the 2007 FIVB World Cup. Finished with 13 aces (.33 per set)... Named Best Server for the NORCECA Continental Championship. Credited with eight aces (.47 per set). Was the United States’ second-leading scorer and 13th overall with 59 points on 47 kills, eight aces and four blocks... Was the United States’ leading scorer at Americas’ Cup and sec-ond overall with 55 points on kills, six blocks and five aces... Was the United States’ leading server, and fourth overall, in the final round of the World League tournament. Credited with four aces, six faults and 17 serve hits in 27 attempts for an average of 0.29 aces per set… Did not play in World League until June 8 because his Russian club team (Dynamo Kazan) played in the final of the Rus-sian Super League, which it won. 2006 – Struggled with a knee in-jury throughout the season... Was the team’s third-leading scorer in World League matches with 94 points in 12 matches. Led the team in aces in World League play with 16. 2005 – Capped the 2005 season as a member of the USA squad that captured the silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan... The Americans, who lost to defending Olympic gold med-alist Brazil in the first match of the tournament, lost just one set the rest of the way as they defeated Japan (3-1), 2004 Olympic silver medalist Italy (3-0), Egypt (3-0) and China (3-0) en route to their fifth medal in five events this season... He led the United States in

scoring in each of the five matches in Japan... Blasted 10 kills with two service aces and one block in the win over China and finished third among all scorers with 82 points on 65 kills, nine blocks and eight service aces... Scored a team-high 14 points as Team USA won its second-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 15... The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the gold-medal win. 2004 – Made his first-ever Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece as the USA Men finished fourth overall... Clay led the team and finished fifth overall in scoring with 110 points on 83 kills, 17 aces and 10 blocks... His 17 aces ranked second among all players in the tournament... His father, Jon, was a starter on the 1968 USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team... Together, they become the first father-son Olympians in USA Volleyball history... Captured Best Server honors as Team USA qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caguas, Puerto Rico on Jan. 10... The men posted a perfect record of 6-0 en route to the gold medal, which included a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Cuba in the championship match. 2003 – Named Most Valuable Player of the NORCECA Zone Championships in September after leading Team USA to the gold medal and a berth in the 2003 World Cup, the first Olympic qualifi-er... Led the United States in scoring (and finished 11th overall) at the World Cup with 128 points on 97 kills, 17 service aces and 14 blocks. 2002 – Rejoined the team in June and played an integral part in the team’s success... Played in just 75 of a possible 141 sets during the year but still finished the season ranked first on the team in service aces (33), second in points per set (2.88) and third in kills (161) and in total points (216). 2001 – Led the team in service aces (24) and finished second in kills (217)... Tied for third in blocks (20) and added 79 digs while hitting .294 on the year... After the Na-tional Team season he played professionally for P.A.O.K. in Greece.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2000 – Third-Team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation... Ranked in the Top 15 of the nation with a 5.53 kill average... Led the MPSF in aces and tied team record with 54... Finished career 10th on all-time kill list at Hawaii...Had 39 kills in two games, against then-No.1 Long Beach (Feb. 16) and against then No.4 UCLA... Against Long Beach (Feb. 16) also recorded nine digs and seven blocks... Was moved to middle blocker posi-tion on April 7, recorded 12 kills and eight blocks, a career-high. Left Hawaii early to play in Puerto Rico. 1999 – Recorded a team-high 4.95 kills per game... broke Hawaii’s single-match kill record with 50 kills against UCLA... MPSF Player of the Week (Apr. 24)... Led the team in kills seven times... Three matches with more than 30 kills and four with more than 20 kills... Had back-to-back 30-kill matches with 30 against UCSB (March 6) and 32 at Long Beach (March 12). 1998 – Redshirted the 1998 season. 1997 – Played in 22 matches... Recorded 11 kills, two solo blocks and five block assists against USC (April 11)... Had 11 kills in his debut against UC San Diego (Jan. 17)... Had season-high seven digs against Cal State Northridge (March 7).

PERSONAL: Born Clayton Iona Stanley in 1978 in Honolulu, Hawai’i... Parents are Jon Stanley and Sandra Haine... Has three brothers: Reese Haine, Wil Stanley and Jon Stanley, and two sis-ters Taeya Stanley and Natasha Haine... His father played on 1968 Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team and is a member of the Volleyball Hall of Fame... Clay’s late step-grandfather, Tom Haine, was also on 1968 Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team... His mother played in the IVA for the Denver Comets... Clay did not play volleyball in high school. Kaiser High School in Honolulu did not have a boys’ team when he was there... He played basketball, occupied the goal in water polo and skateboarded... He took up volleyball after having fun at a USAV Junior National tournament when he was 17... Nick-named “Steam”... Majored in Spanish at Hawai’i... Enjoys surfing and playing video games.

95

No. 7 Donald SuxhoSetter * 6-5

Korce, AlbaniaCollege: USC

Birth Year: 1976Joined Team: 2001

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (gold medal). 2011 – FIVB World League. 2010 – FIVB World League. 2009 – 2010 FIVB World Championship Qualifier for NORCECA Group F (Gold Medal)... FIVB World League. 2006 – FIVB World Championships... FIVB World League... Pan American Cup (Gold Medal)... Argentina Tour. 2005 – Pacific Northwest Tour vs. Netherlands... USOC International Sports Invitational (Silver Medal)...Argentina Tour... Americas’ Cup (Gold Medal)... FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)... World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal). 2004 – NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal)... Japan Tour... Houston Series... USA Global Challenge (First Place)... Serbia and Montenegro Tour (Second Place)... Olympic Games (Fourth Place). 2003 – Colorado/Nebraska Tour... Canada Tour... Pan American Games (Fourth Place)... NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal)... World Cup (Fourth Place). 2001 – World League... NORCECA Zone Championships.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Was the team’s starting setter in 2012, playing in 92 out of 115 sets. Finished season with 46 points on 18 kills, 24 blocks and four aces. Also had 128 digs (1.39 per set). Was credited with 705 running sets (7.67 per set)… Started 20 out of 21 sets at the Olympic Games, finishing with 10 points on three kills, six blocks and one ace. Match high was three points against Brazil on two kills and one block. Finished second among Olympic setters with 213 running sets (10.65 per set). Credited with 31 digs (1.55 per set)… Played in 57 out of 60 World League sets, scoring 29 points on 14 kills and 15 blocks, including highs of five points against France in France (4 kills, 1 block) and against France in Dallas (1 kill, 4 blocks). Finished first among all setters in pool play with 331 running sets (5.81 per set). Finished second among all setters in the World League Final Round with 74 running sets (5.29 per set)... Started 15 out of 16 sets at the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier. Finished with seven points on one kills, three blocks and three aces. Credited with 87 running sets (5.44 per set). Finished second on the team with 22 digs (1.47 digs per set)… During the winter of 2011-12, played for Sisley Belluno in Italy’s Serie A League 2011 – Played in 10 World League sets and started eight before Brian Thornton took over as the starter... Credited with 67 assists (6.7 assists per set). 2010 – Donald did not play for the U.S. in 2010 after suffering an injury to his leg in an FIVB World League match against Egypt on June 18 in North Carolina... He played in 13 World League sets and placed 24th among the League’s best setters, and second on the U.S. team, wth 71 running sets, 181 still sets. A running set is defined as a set from a player that puts their hitter against one blocker or none. Still sets happen when a player sets an attacker and there are two blockers or more. He averaged 1.45 assists per set. He also tied for third among the team with 21 digs (0.43 per set)… Played for Italy’s Prisma Taranto during the winter of 2009-10. 2009 – After taking a season off from the U.S. team and playing professionally in the Middle East, Suxho returned under new head coach Alan Knipe and shared starting setter duties with Kevin Hansen. He finished the season credited with 174 running sets (assists) and six faults on 780 attempts. He averaged 4.14 running sets per set. He also scored 21 points on seven kills, nine blocks and five aces in 42 sets... Suxho was named Best Setter at the FIVB World Championship Qualifier, where he finished with 18 running sets and no faults on 80 attempts, averaging 2.0 running sets per set... Suxho helped the U.S. Men win their pool at World League. They went on to finish sixth overall. Suxho was credited with 150 running sets and three faults on 644 attempts in pool play. That is an average of 3.33 running sets per set. 2007 – In March, Donald partially ruptured his left Achilles tendon while playing for Acqua Paradiso in Italy. He had surgery in Italy and then returned to the United States for rehab with the U.S. Men’s National Team’s athletic trainer Aaron Brock. 2006 – Started every match at the World Championships...Was the starting U.S. setter in every

match of the FIVB World League... Started as setter for the inaugural Pan American Cup, but did not play the entire tournament due to a sprained ankle... Helped the team finish 4-1 in the Argentina series... Finished the season with 42 kills and 15 aces. 2005 – Nominated by USA Volleyball for the 2005 United States Olympic Committee (USOC) SportsMan of the Year honor... In his first year as the full-time starter, Donald quarterbacked Team USA to one of its most successful seasons in years...The Americans posted a record of 27-6 and earned five podium placements during the year, including a silver medal at the USOC International Sports Invitational (San Diego, Calif.); a gold medal at the America’s Cup (Brazil); a gold medal at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Puerto Rico); a gold medal at the NORCECA Championships (Canada); and a silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup (Japan)... Suxho led the team in service aces with 25 and helped the Americans post a stellar hitting percentage of .376 on the season... He also finished third on the team in blocks with 48... He capped his first season as a starter for the USA squad that captured the silver medal at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan... The Americans, who lost to defending Olympic gold medalist Brazil in the first match of the tournament, lost just one set the rest of the way as they defeated Japan (3-1), 2004 Olympic silver medalist Italy (3-0), Egypt (3-0) and China (3-0) en route to their fifth medal in five events this season... Started at setter as the USA Men stunned the world’s best team when it defeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Brazil in five sets to win the America’s Cup tournament in Brazil on Aug. 7... Earned “Best Server” honors as Team USA won its second-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on Sept. 15... The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the gold-medal win... Also earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA Men qualified for the 2006 World Championships. 2004 – Made his first Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece as the USA Men finished fourth overall. The U.S. Men were trailing Greece 2 sets to 1 and losing 5-0 in the fourth set when Head Coach Doug Beal brought Suxho in to replace starter Lloy Ball. Suxho helped the U.S. Men come back from a 20-12 deficit to win the fourth set 25-23 and the U.S. went on to win the fifth set 17-15... Served as the backup setter to starter Lloy Ball. 2003 – Started at setter until the NORCECA Zone Championships in Mexico as Team USA captured the gold medal and a berth in the 2003 World Cup, the first Olympic qualifier... Served as the backup setter to starter Lloy Ball at the NORCECA championships and World Cup.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2000 – American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Player of the Year... AVCA First-Team All-American... First-Team All Mountain Pacific Sports Federation... Asics/Volleyball First-Team All-American...Led the team in assists (2,025) and aces (57) and ranked second in digs (169) and third in blocks (94). 1999 – AVCA First-Team All-American... Asics/Volleyball Second-Team All-American... Second-Team All-MPSF... Set a USC single-season record with 63 aces...Ranked second in the country with a .594 aces-per-game average and No. 7 with 17.6 assists per game. 1998 – Third-team All-MPSF... Played in each of the team’s 99 games...Recorded 1,518 assists, 214 digs, 103 blocks and 95 kills. 1997 – Starting setter as a freshman... Set an NCAA single-match record with 129 assists against Ohio State... Posted 1,585 assists, 220 digs, 93 kills and 63 blocks.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB HIGHLIGHTS: Was the starting setter for the Albanian National Team (1995-96) and junior national team (1991-96)... Played for the Skenderbeu club team from 1991 to 1996 that was coached by his father, Petraq (who was an assistant for the Albanian national team and the head coach of the country’s junior national team), and the Studenti club team that won the 1996 Albanian national championship... Donald prepped at Koci Bako High in Korce, Albania.

PERSONAL: Born Donald Suxho in 1976 in Albania... Has a son named Shane born in 2001... Married volleyball player Eleni Gkortsaniouk in August, 2011 in Ukraine... Donald’s brother, Rando, also played volleyball in Albania. Donald also played soccer and was a swimmer... Donald came to America in 1996 and lived in Massachusetts while searching for a college... Communications major at USC... Enjoys skiing, hiking, swimming, movies and traveling... Says one of the most defining moments in his life is choosing to play volleyball at USC because “I am who I am because of that”... His goals off the court are to “be the best person I can be and give my son a better life than mine.” Describes himself as “outgoing” and “not picky.”

96

No. 11 Brian ThorntonSetter * 6-3

San Clemente, CaliforniaCollege: UC IrvineBirth Year: 1985

Joined Team: 2009

Courtesy of FIVB

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 – Olympic Games... FIVB World League (Silver Medal)... NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold Medal). 2011 – FIVB World Cup… NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship (Silver Medal)… London Volleyball International Invitational (Bronze Medal)… FIVB World League. 2010 – Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2009 – Pan American Cup (Gold Medal). 2007 – World University Games (Bronze Medal)

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: 2012 – Was the backup setter for the U.S. Men in 2012, playing in 11 sets, starting seven. Finished the season with three points on one attack and two blocks. Credited with 57 running sets (5.18 per set)… Played as the substitute setter at the 2012 Olympic Games. Played in three sets against Tunisia, started the third, and finished with two points on two blocks. He was credited with 15 running sets… Played in eight World League sets, seven in pool play and one in the final round. Started five. Credited with 34 running sets (4.25 per set). Scored one point on one attack... Started one set against Costa Rica at the NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament. Was credited with seven running sets. Did not score.

2011 – Led all U.S. setters in 2011 with 514 assists on 1,799 attempts in 99 sets played (according to the FIVB. This does not include the London Invitational, which did not provide setting statistics). He averaged 5.19 assists per set in 2011. He also scored 33 points on four kills, 15 blocks and 14 aces… Started 31 sets at the FIVB World Cup and finished with nine points on five kills and four blocks. The FIVB credited him with 220 assists on 665 attempts… Played as a substitute in the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship behind Kevin Hansen and was credited with 11 assists on 18 attempts in two sets… Played in 13 sets of the London Volleyball International Invitational and started seven. Finished with three points on two aces and one block… When setter Kevin Hansen had to undergo an appendectomy prior to the start of the 2011 season, Thornton moved into the backup setter role and traveled with the team to World League where he took over starting duties from Donald Suxho in the middle of the third match of pool play, which was in Puerto Rico. He started a total of 49 sets and played in 52. In pool play, he was credited with at total of 283 assists for an average of 5.44 per set. He also scored 15 points on two kills, 11 blocks and two aces. 2010 – For the U.S., Brian started four out of five matches (13 sets) at the Pan American Cup and placed third among all setters with 4.94 average assists per set. He did not receive a single setting fault. He scored six points on three kills, two blocks and one ace… Played for Chaumont in France’s B League during the winter of 2010-11. 2009 – Accompanied a group of veteran and younger players on a five-match tour of Brazil... Played in the 2009 Pan American Cup where the United States won the gold medal. Brian started one match and scored four points on one kills, two blocks and one ace. 2007 – A member of the World University Games team that won the bronze medal in Thailand.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2007 – Ended his career as UCI’s all-time set assists leader with 4,662…totaled 1,645 assists as a senior which is also a UCI season record…member of UC Irvine’s NCAA Championship team… Named to the NCAA All-Tournament team… Team went 29-5 which is the most wins in program history… Second team All-American… Third team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation… Averaged 13.27 set assists which ranked fourth nationally… Named MPSF Player

of the Week on Jan. 8… Named MVP of the UC Santa Barbara Invitational... 2006 – Second team All-America as well as All-MPSF...second team Asics/Volleyball Magazine All-American... Averaged 13.70 set assists which led the nation... His 1,548 set assists ranks third in the UCI season record book... Averaged 1.60 digs and 0.65 blocks per game... His 181 digs ranked 10th best in a season... Fired 22 service aces. 2005 – Recorded 1,320 set assists, which is the fourth best total in the UCI season record books... Averaged 12.57 set assists and 1.38 digs per game... Ranked 11th nationally and fourth in the MPSF in assists... Fired 21 service aces on the year... Ranks seventh all-time in assists (1,469)... Had a career-high 65 assists versus Pacific. 2004 – Played in 16 games before missing the rest of the year with Mononucleosis... Averaged 9.31 set assists and 0.69 digs per game.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Attended San Clemente High School (2000-03)… Played for the Balboa Bay Volleyball Club.

PERSONAL: Born Brian Charles Thornton in 1985, in San Clemente, Calif. ... Parents are Mike and Colleen Thornton… Mike played basketball and also baseball and was a late-round draft pick of the Montreal Expos in 1969... Brian’s younger brother, Keith, also attended UC Irvine and their younger sister, Kelsey, will start there in the fall and play on the water polo team.… A UCI/Big West Scholar-Athlete majoring in sociology… Fish and lobster are his favorite foods… Favorite book is “Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger… Favorite movie is Good Will Hunting… Anaheim Angels are his favorite professional team… Enjoys Entourage, football and college basketball on TV… Admires his brother for his attitude and approach to life… His fondest sports memory is winning an NCAA Division I men’s volleyball national championship with UC Irvine in 2007.

97

No. 19 Jonathan WinderSetter * 6-8

Irvine, CaliforniaCollege: Pepperdine

Birth Year: 1986Joined Team: 2008

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2011 – Pan American Cup (Silver Medal). 2010 – FIVB World Championship. 2009 – NORCECA Continental Championship... Brazil Tour... FIVB World League. 2008 - Pan American Cup. 2007 – World University Games (Bronze Medal). 2005 – FIVB Men’s Junior (U-21) World Championship. 2004 – NORCECA Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship (Silver Medal).

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Named an alternate to the 2012 U.S. Olympic men’s volleyball team... In the winter of 2011-12, played for Tourcoing in France’s A League. 2011 – At the 2011 Pan American Cup, played in 15 sets and started 14. He was credited with 89 assists and also scored and also scored 12 points on three kills, four blocks and five aces... In the winter of 2010-11, played in Greece for PAOK Thessaloniki. 2010 – In the winter of 2010-11, played in Greece for PAOK Thessaloniki... Served as the backup to Kevin Hansen at the FIVB World Championship in Italy… Played in 22 sets. Started all three sets in a 3-0 victory over Germany and he also started two sets in the final fifth-place match against Russia... For the tournament, he was credited with one point on one block. He also had eight running sets and two faults on 29 attempts for an average of 0.30 running sets per set. A running set is defined as a set from a player that puts their hitter against one blocker or none. 2009 – Was the backup setter for Kevin Hansen at the NORCECA Continental Championship in Puerto Rico where the U.S. Men finished second... Jonathan accompanied the team to Brazil where it played five exhibition matches against the Brazilian Men’s National Team. He started three matches at setter... Jonathan helped the U.S. Men’s Team place sixth in the FIVB World League. He played as a substitute in pool play matches. 2008 – Helped lead the U.S. Men to the gold medal at the 2008 Pan American Cup from June 2-7 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada... Scored six points during the tournament on one kills, three aces and two blocks... Was a member of the U.S. Men’s Training Team that traveled to Japan to prepare the Japanese for Olympic qualifying. 2007 – Helped the U.S. win the bronze medal at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. 2005 – Played on the USA Junior National Team that finished eighth in the 2005 FIVB Men’s U-21 World Volleyball Championships in Andhra Pradesh, India. 2004 – Helped the U.S. Junior National Team win the silver medal at the 2004 NORCECA Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 – AVCA All-American first team... Led his team to the NCAA National Championship match, where it fell to Penn State (27-30, 33-31, 30-25, 30-23)... Named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team... Named MPSF Tournament MVP. Pepperdine won the tournament with a victory in the final over BYU (28-30, 28-30, 32-30, 30-27, 15-8)... Averaged 12.51 assists per game along with 1.97 digs, 0.91 blocks and 0.68 kills. Winder had seven assist-dig double-doubles... He set the school career record for assists on Jan. 19 at Stanford. He became the first Wave to surpass the 4,000 mark against UC Irvine on Jan. 23, and then went past 5,000 during the fourth game of the MPSF Tournament final against BYU on April 26... He was named Pepperdine’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2007-08. 2007 – AVCA Division I-II Men’s National Player of the Year... Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Player of the Year... American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America first team... Second in NCAA Division I-II with 13.34 assists per game... Second in the league in assists per game (conference matches only) with 13.06, and led his team to a .328 hitting percentage in conference play... Fifth in the conference in digs per game with 2.10, and averaged 1.04 blocks per game. 2006 – Named second-team All-American and third-team All-MPSF following his sophomore season... Averaged 13.30 assists per game, which ranked seventh nationally... Started all 25 matches and played in 90 games... Also averaged 1.64 digs, 1.14 blocks and 0.82 kills... Hit .388

NORCECA photo

with 74 kills on 139 swings... His most assists were 70 in five games (2/18 vs. Cal State Northridge), 64 in four games (1/14 vs. Pacific) and 52 in three games (4/8 vs. UC Santa Barbara)... Other season highs were seven kills (3/18 at UC Irvine), three aces (2/24 at Pacific), nine digs (3/1 at UCLA and 3/16 vs. UCLA) and eight blocks (1/14 vs. Pacific)... Earned MPSF All-Academic honors. 2005 – Set the Waves to the NCAA championship and earned a spot on the all-tournament team... Named the AVCA National Newcomer of the Year after his freshman season... Also named a second-team All-American, the MPSF Freshman of the Year and to the All-MPSF third team... Averaged 13.40 assists in 27 matches and 102 games... Also averaged 1.23 digs, 1.07 blocks and 0.54 kills... Hit .368 with 55 kills on 114 attempts... Named AVCA National Player of the Week on March 13... His most assists were 72 in five games (3/12 vs. UCLA), 68 in four games (3/4 at Hawaii) and 51 in three games (3/31 at Long Beach State)... At the NCAA Championships, had 40 assists in the three-game win over Ohio State (5/5) and 52 in the five-game win over UCLA (5/7)... Had two assist-dig double-doubles, getting 57-11 at Stanford (1/15) and 46-11 vs. Cal State Northridge (4/28)... Had one assist-block double-double and narrowly missed a triple-double with 54 assists, 10 blocks and nine digs at Cal State Northridge (4/15).

PERSONAL: Born Jonathan Stevens Winder in 1986, in Irvine, Calif. ... Parents are Bill (deceased) and Jean Winder... Has an older brother, Jordan, and an older sister, Jenille... Jonathan married wife Jaimie-Rose Winder in 2010... Attended Woodbridge High School (2000-04) in Irvine, Calif., where he played both basketball and volleyball... He was named Sea View League Male Athlete of the Year... Graduated from Pepperdine in April 2008 with a degree in advertising... Says his favorite food is artichokes... Favorite book is “Ruthless Trust” by Brennan Manning... Favorite movie is Anchorman... Enjoys watching The Office on TV as well as college basketball... Fly-fishing is his hobby... Admires his father, who died when Jonathan was 4, because “he lived his life not for himself but for his family, his friends and God”... Chicago Cubs are his favorite professional team and Dwight Howard is his favorite athlete... Happiest moment in life was getting baptized... Winning the 2005 NCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship is his fondest sports memory... Has been profiled in a Los Angeles Times series on 2012 Olympic hopefuls.

98

Alan KnipeHead Coach * Fourth Year

Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.Family: Wife Jennifer and two sons

Record with U.S. Men: 72-34

Alan Knipe finished his fourth season as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team in 2012 with a 20-7 record and a 72-34 record since starting as head coach on April 1, 2009. At the end of the 2012 season, Knipe returned to his role as head coach at Long Beach State University.

The U.S. Men’s Team had its best season of the four-year Olympic quadrennial in 2012 as Knipe coached it to a 5-0 match record to win the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament on May 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif. Knipe led the U.S. Men to a pool victory in the 2012 FIVB World League. The team advanced to the Final Round where it won the silver medal.

At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the U.S. Men again won their pool, advancing to the quarterfinals where they fell to Italy. They finished tied for fifth.

In his first season with the team, Knipe finished with a 16-6 record, including a victory at the World Championship Qualifier, a second-place finish at the NORCECA Continental Championship and a sixth-place finish in the FIVB World League.

In 2010, he led the U.S. Men to a 14-7 record, including a sixth place finish at the FIVB World Championship and an eight place in the FIVB World League.

Knipe helped the U.S. Men make the World League final round in 2011. The team also won a silver medal at the NORCECA Continental Championship and bronze at the London International Invitational, an Olympic test event.

To coach the U.S. Men, Knipe, 41, took a leave of absence from Long Beach State, where he was the head coach for nine years. Two of Knipe’s former players – David Lee and Scott Touzinsky – were members of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team that won the gold medal in 2008 in Beijing. Knipe was an assistant coach when U.S. Team Captain Tom Hoff played at Long Beach State.

“Anyone who gets involved with volleyball sets their sights on being involved with the Olympic team,” Knipe said. “I don’t think that changes from your playing days to your coaching days.

“I would not have been able to take this position if I did not work at Long Beach State. They were great to work with in making this happen and giving me a leave of absence.”

Knipe took over for Hugh McCutcheon, who guided the U.S. Men’s Team to victories at the 2008 FIVB World League and the Beijing Olympics. McCutcheon took over the U.S. Women’s Team in January.

“I am very excited to have Alan join the USA Volleyball staff and lead our men’s team toward London in 2012. This is a very big hire,” USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said. “His experience and success with USAV’s national and high performance programs have been outstanding. I look for him to continue the momentum the U.S. men built in 2008.”

Knipe has a long relationship with USA Volleyball. Most recently, he served as the head coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2008 Pan America Cup in Winnipeg, Canada, where it won a gold medal.

He was the head coach for the U.S. Men’s Team that won a bronze medal at the 2007 World University Games in Thailand.

Knipe has run the Southern California tryouts for USA Volleyball’s high performance department since 1999. He was an assistant coach for the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team in 1999 and has helped at high performance camps in other years.

Knipe played on the U.S. National Team in 1992-93 and competed at World League. When he took his sabbatical, Knipe was in his 17th year with the 49ers men’s volleyball program, including three years as a player (1990-92) and five years as an assistant (1996-2000).

In his nine seasons as the head coach of the Long Beach State, Knipe led the 49ers to one NCAA final (2004) and one semifinal appearance (2008) along with six other postseason appearances in nine years.

He earned 2008 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Coach of the Year honors and was also named 2008 Volleyball Magazine Coach of the Year as Long Beach State advanced to the NCAA semifinals behind AVCA co-Player of the Year Paul Lotman.

Knipe was named the 2004 AVCA National Coach of the Year when he guided his squad to an appearance in the NCAA Championship match, where it fell to BYU.

In the 1994 and 1995 seasons, Knipe served as the head men’s volleyball coach at Golden West College. In his second season, the Rustlers won the California State JC title and Knipe was named California State Coach of the Year.

Knipe played at Long Beach State from 1990-92, winning the NCAA Championship in 1991 and being named All-America in 1992. Knipe graduated from Long Beach State in 1992 with a degree in communications.

Knipe played on the Bud Light 4-Man Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and has won seven USA Volleyball National Open Championships with Team Paul Mitchell.

In 1995, Knipe played for Spoleto in the Italian Pro League and in 1996 he played for the Zellik Club in Belgium.

A graduate of Huntington Beach’s Marina High School in 1987, Knipe spent one year at Orange Coast College before transferring to Long Beach State.

Knipe lives in Huntington Beach, Calif., with his wife, Jennifer, and their two sons, Aidan and Evan.

FIVB Photo

99

Dr. Gary SatoAssistant Coach * Fourth Year

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Dr. Gary Sato (Los Angeles) had been involved with the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team for more than 20 years when he rejoined the team as assistant coach under Head Coach Alan Knipe in the summer of 2009.

“After seeing the teams perform so well at the Olympic Games in Beijing, it rekindled the fire in me,” Sato said. “The situation with the men’s program, being in Anaheim and the women moving there was similar to the circumstances when I first joined the program in 1984 (when both teams were based in San Diego).

“I’m excited to be back. I was telling people that USA Volleyball had gone green and they recycled me.”

The U.S. Men’s Team had its best season of the quad in 2012 as Sato helped it to a 5-0 match record to win the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament on May 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif. Sato helped the U.S. Men to a pool victory in the 2012 FIVB World League. The team advanced to the Final Round where it won the silver medal.

At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the U.S. Men again won their pool, advancing to the quarterfinals where they fell to Italy. They finished tied for fifth.

In his first year back as an assistant coach, Sato helped the team to a 16-6 record, including a victory at the FIVB World Championship Qualifier, a second-place finish at the NORCECA Continental Championship and a sixth-place in the FIVB World League.

In 2010, he helped the U.S. Men to a 14-7 record, including a sixth place finish at the FIVB World Championship and an eight place in the FIVB World League. He also coached the U.S. Men’s Youth Team, which included his son, Andrew, to a second-place finish at the NORCECA Continental Championship in Guadalajara, Mexico.

In 2011, he helped the U.S. Men to a 26-15 record. The team reached the World League Final Round, took the bronze medal at the London International Invitational and won the silver medal at the NORCECA Continental Championship.

On May 7-12, 2012 he helped the team at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament as it qualified for its eighth-straight Olympic Games with a 5-0 match record.

He also helped the U.S. Men to win their 2012 World League pool and advance to the Final Round in Bulgaria where they took the silver medal.

Sato first served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s Team from 1984-88, including the team that won the 1988 Olympic gold medal in Seoul. His brother, Eric, was a player on that team. He was also an assistant for the teams that won the 1986 World

Championship and the 1987 Pan American Games.Sato served as head coach for the U.S. Men’s gold-medal win at the 1985 FIVB World Cup in Japan and was voted the Most Valuable Coach of the tournament. In 1992 he returned as assistant coach for the Olympic Team that won the bronze medal.

Sato’s coaching career has included pro beach championships and he was the head coach for the U.S. beach team at the 2007 Pan American Games.

Sato played volleyball at Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College before moving on to UC Santa Barbara, where he was an All-American outside hitter.

Sato is the eldest of six children known worldwide for their contributions to the sport. Brother Eric won the Olympic gold medal with the U.S. Men in 1988 and a bronze in 1992. Sister Liane won the Olympic bronze medal with the U.S. Women in 1992 and also played on the ’88 Olympic team. Brothers Scott (San Diego State) and Glenn (Loyola Marymount) both played college volleyball and Glenn also coached.

Sato graduated with a degree in kinesiology from Pepperdine University where he took over the head coaching position of the women’s team in 1979 and held it until 1982. He has also won two NCAA National Championships as an assistant and volunteer coach with Pepperdine’s men’s volleyball teams in 1978 and 2005.

From 1989-92 Sato studied at the Southern California University of Health Sciences and graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Just prior to rejoining the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2009, Sato worked at Sato Chiropractic along with serving as a coach for the Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Club and as the technical director for the Sinjin Smith Volleyball Academy HAX.

Sato has three children: Andrew, Katie and Malia.

USAV/B.J. /Evans

100

Chris JacksonTechnical Coordinator

Fourth Year

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Chris Jackson (Phoenix, Ariz.) joined the U.S. Men’s Team in 2009 from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, where he was an assistant coach for the men’s volleyball team for one year.

Four years later, the U.S. Men’s Team finished with an overall record of 72-34.

The U.S. Men’s Team had its best season of the four-year Olympic quadrennial in 2012 as Jackson helped it to a 5-0 match record to win the NORCECA Men’s C o n t i n e n t a l O l y m p i c Q u a l i f i c a t i o n To u r n a m e n t on May 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif.

Jackson helped the U.S. Men to a pool victory in the 2012 FIVB World League. The team advanced to the Final Round where it won the silver medal.At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the U.S. Men again won their pool, advancing to the quarterfinals where they fell to Italy. They finished tied for fifth.

Prior to his time at Grand Canyon University, Jackson served as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs at USC, including being a part of the women’s 2007 NCAA national tournament semifinalist team. He also served as an assistant coach for the 2008 U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team that won the NORCECA Continental Championship.

“Chris has all the skills required to be great in our technical coordinator position,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe said. “He is self-motivated, organized and great with the guys. He has a solid background in Data Project software and most importantly, he knows how to grind.”

Jackson was on the coaching staff at Phoenix Brophy Prep from 2004-06, which included a state title in 2005. His 16-year old group from the Southern California Volleyball Club finished fourth in the nation. Jackson played high school volleyball at Glendale Deer Valley in Arizona.

Aaron BrockDirector, Sports Medicine and

Performance to theU.S. National Teams

Seventh Year

Hometown: Storm Lake, Iowa

Aaron Brock of Storm Lake, Iowa, is in his seventh year in 2012 as the full-time certified athletic trainer for the U.S. Men’s National Team at its headquarters at the American Sports Centers in Anaheim, Calif.

In 2009, he added the title of Director of Sports Medicine and Performance to the U.S. National Teams.

In 2008, he was working with the U.S. Men’s Team as it won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing and its first FIVB World League title.

The U.S. Men’s Team had its best season of the next four-year Olympic q u a d r e n n i a l in 2012 as it achieved a 5-0 match record to win the NORCECA

Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament on May 7-12 in Long Beach, Calif. The U.S. Men won their pool in the 2012 FIVB World League. The team advanced to the Final Round where it won the silver medal. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the U.S. Men again won their pool, advancing to the quarterfinals where they fell to Italy. They finished tied for fifth.

Before joining the U.S. Men’s Team in 2006, Aaron worked with the U.S. Water Polo Team at the 2003 Pan American Games and the 2004 Olympic Games. He also has experience with high school and NCAA Division I and Division III sports teams as well as professional football and basketball teams. Aaron, who was a four-sport high school athlete in Storm Lake, Iowa, went to the University of Iowa for both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Aaron is married to Kelly and has sons named Noah (born 2007) and Cameron (born 2010) along with a daughter named Bayla (2012). He lives in Tustin, Calif.

Aaron’s day starts around 8 a.m. when he writes up rehabilitation and treatment protocols. He also gets the players ready for practice with taping and stretching exercises.

Once practice starts, he runs a 15-minute injury-prevention session that includes core abdominal and back exercises and proprioception exercises for ankle and knee stability. Finally, there are shoulder exercises to generate strength and wake up the muscles. Players who can’t practice due to injury will go to the athletic training room and do rehab. Brock monitors practice in case there is an injury. After practice, Brock runs a stretching session. Then it’s time for more treatments for the athletes who are playing and practicing while injured.

FIVB Photo

101

John SperawAssistant Coach

Hometown: Irvine, Calif.

John Speraw had a busy and successful year in 2012.

On May 6, he led the U.S. Irvine men’s volleyball team to its third NCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship. Less than 24 hours later, he was on the court as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team as it prepared for the NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament.

On June 5, it was announced that he would be the new men’s volleyball coach at his alma mater, UCLA.

Speraw (Irvine, Calif.) first joined the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team as an assistant coach in April of 2007, agreeing to help the team as long as he could remain head coach of the men’s volleyball team at Irvine, where he had coached for five years.

A few weeks later, Speraw led the Anteaters to the 2007 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship, defeating IPFW in the final, 3-1. The Anteaters ended the season 29-5 overall, the most wins in school history.

As an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team, Speraw was on the floor when the team won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Speraw’s position became even more important when Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon had to leave the team for its first three matches after McCutcheon’s father-in-law was killed and his mother-in-law was gravely injured by an attacker while sightseeing in Beijing, China. Speraw and the rest of McCutcheon’s staff helped carry the team to victories in those three matches and then five more to win the Olympic title.

Speraw also served as assistant coach as the U.S. Men won its first World League title in 2008 and qualified for the Olympic Games at the NORCECA Continental Qualifier in January of 2008.

After 2008, Speraw worked with the U.S. Men’s Team on an as-needed basis before rejoining the team for the 2012 season.

Speraw has extensive international coaching experience. He was the head coach of the USA Junior National Team, which won a silver medal at the NORCECA Junior Men’s Continental Volleyball Championship in 2005. He served as an assistant for the Youth National Team (1998 and 2001), the World University Games Team (1997 and 1999) and the Pan American Games Team (1999).

In 2008, Speraw received a Pillar Award, which showcases outstanding achievement in ethical leadership at the12th Annual Ethics in America Awards. Speraw was also named to OC METRO Business Magazine’s 18th annual list of the Hottest 25 Business People of Orange County and was tabbed No. 16 in the Daily Pilot’s 2007 Top 103 Most Influential People in the Newport/Costa Mesa Area. Speraw was also one of their Most Influential People and the Sports Newsmaker of the Year in 2006. In 2011, he was given the U.S. Olympic Achievement Award, an honor that recognizes the colleges and universities whose coaches and student-athletes have won Olympic medals in the past two Olympic Games.

Prior to UCI, Speraw served in various roles with the UCLA volleyball program for 12 years. He played middle blocker for the Bruins from 1990-95 and was a member of two national championship teams. He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team in 1995 when he had 11 kills and eight blocks in the championship victory over Penn State.

Speraw became a volunteer assistant coach with the Bruins before assuming a full-time assistant’s position in 1998. He graduated from UCLA in 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in microbiology and molecular genetics.

Speraw is also the co-author of the book Exercise for Your Muscle Type: The Smart Way to Get Fit.

Ron LarsenAssistant Coach

Hometown: Lafayette, Calif.

Ron Larsen (Lafayette, Calif.) returned to the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team for its 2012 season. He also served as the head coach for the women’s volleyball team at UC Riverside in California from 2009-2012.

Larsen served as the top assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s Team under Hugh McCutcheon from 2005-08. Larsen took over for McCutcheon as head coach at the 2008 Olympic Games after McCutcheon’s father-in-law was killed and his mother-in-law was seriously injured by an attacker while sightseeing in Beijing, China.

Larsen coached the U.S. Men’s Team to three pool play victories against Venezuela (Aug. 10; 25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10), Italy (Aug. 12; 24-26, 25-22, 25-15, 25-21) and Bulgaria (Aug. 14; (27-29, 25-21, 25-14, 26-24) before McCutcheon returned to the team, which went on to win the Olympic gold medal for the first time since 1988.

In 2007, Larsen served as the head coach for the U.S. Men’s Team that won the silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Larsen, the 2004 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Coach of the Year, completed six seasons as the UCSD head coach. Larsen came to UCSD in 2000—in the school’s final year of NCAA Division III affiliation—and led the Tritons to one of the most memorable seasons in the program’s history. UCSD won the Molten Division III Men’s Volleyball Invitational Championship that season and recorded the most wins (nine) for a Triton team in 10 seasons.

That year he also led the team to its first MPSF victory in three seasons. Competing as the only Division II team and the only non-scholarship program in the nation’s toughest men’s volleyball conference, the Tritons have continued to make strides in meeting the formidable challenge.

The 2004 season saw UCSD go 8-21 overall and 4-18 in the MPSF. The season included wins against No. 11 Penn State, No. 9 UC Irvine and No. 7 UC Santa Barbara. The win over the Gauchos marked two program firsts: defeating UCSB and giving the Tritons four victories in the MPSF, the most in school history.

Larsen came to UCSD from the University of Rutgers-Newark. A veteran of seven seasons at the New Jersey university, Larsen has coaching roots in the University of California (UC) system.

His coaching career began at the University of California- Berkeley, where he led the Bears’ men’s volleyball team to a record of 102-29 at the club level. He coached at Cal from 1980-84 and again from 1987-89. He also served as an assistant coach of the women’s volleyball team at St. Mary’s College from 1987-88 before moving on to the University of California, Davis in 1989.

At Davis, he served as assistant coach of the women’s team for four seasons and as head coach of the men’s team from 1991-93, leading the Aggies to a 65-31 record and a fifth-place finish at the 1993 national club volleyball tournament.

Larsen served as head men’s and women’s coach at Rutgers-Newark from 1993-99, compiling a record of 97-80 in men’s volleyball and 111-79 with the women’s team. The men’s team was consistently ranked in the nation’s top 15.

Larsen was named New Jersey Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1998 and Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Coach of the Year in 1998.

Larsen’s coaching experience also includes the 1995 USA Olympic Festival, where he served as head coach of the North Men’s Team and led his squad to a silver medal. He also coached the 1996 USA Boys Youth National Team, featuring the nation’s top 18 high school players.

102

All-Time U.S. Men's Indoor Volleyball Olympians1964 (Tokyo)9th PlaceMike BrightBarry BrownKeith EricksonWilliam GriebenowRichard HammerJacob HighlandRon LangCharles NelsonMike O’HaraErnie SuwaraJohn TaylorPete Velasco, Jr.Head Coach: Harry WilsonAssistant Coach: Burt DeGroot

1968 (Mexico City)7th PlaceJohn AlstromMike BrightWink DavenportSmitty DukeTom HaineJohn HennButch MayDanny PattersonLarry RundleJon StanleyRudy SuwaraPete Velasco, Jr.Head Coach: Jim ColemanAssistant Coach: John LowellTrainer: Joe Abrahams

1984 (Los Angeles)Gold MedalAldis BerzinsCraig BuckRich DuweliusDusty DvorakKarch KiralyChris MarlowePat PowersSteve SalmonsDave SaundersPaul SunderlandSteve TimmonsMarc Waldie Head Coach: Doug BealAssistant Coach: Bill NevilleAssistant Coach: Tony CrabbeTeam Manager: Mark Miller

1988 (Seoul)Gold MedalCraig BuckBob CtvrtlikScott FortuneKarch KiralyRicci LuytiesDoug PartieJon RootEric SatoDave SaundersJeff StorkTroy TannerSteve TimmonsHead Coach: Marv DunphyAssistant Coach: Gary SatoAssistant Coach: Jim ColemanTeam Manager: Gary Moy

1992 (Barcelona)Bronze MedalNick BeckerCarlos BricenoBob CtvrtlikScott FortuneDan GreenbaumBrent HilliardBryan IvieDoug PartieBob SamuelsonEric SatoJeff StorkSteve TimmonsHead Coach: Fred SturmAssistant Coach: John CookAssistant Coach: Gary SatoTeam Manager: Kevin Ring

1996 (Atlanta)9th PlaceLloy BallBob CtvrtlikScott FortuneJohn HydenBryan IvieMike LambertDan LandryJeff NygaardTom SorensenJeff StorkEthan WattsBrett WinslowHead Coach: Fred SturmAssistant Coach: Rudy SuwaraAssistant Coach: Rod WildeTeam Manager: Eric Daly

2000 (Sydney)11th PlaceLloy BallKevin BarnettTom HoffJohn HydenMike LambertDan LandryChip McCawRyan MillarJeff NygaardGeorge RoumainErik SullivanAndy WittHead Coach: Doug BealAssistant Coach: Marv DunphyAssistant Coach: Rod WildeTeam Leader: Jim Coleman

2004 (Athens)4th PlaceLloy BallKevin BarnettBrook BillingsPhil EathertonGabe GardnerTom HoffRyan MillarReid PriddyRiley SalmonClay StanleyErik SullivanDonald SuxhoHead Coach: Doug BealAssistant Coach: Hugh McCutcheonAssistant Coach: Rob Browning Assistant Coach: Carl McGownTeam Consultant: Marv DunphyTeam Leader: Al MonacoTrainer: Nick Metskas

2008 (Beijing)Gold MedalLloy BallGabe GardnerKevin HansenTom HoffRich LambourneDavid LeeRyan MillarReid PriddySean RooneyRiley SalmonClay StanleyScott TouzinskyHead Coach: Hugh McCutcheonAssistant Coach: John SperawAssistant Coach: Ron LarsenTechnical Consultant: Marv DunphyTechnical Consultant: Carl McGownTechnical Coach: Jamie MorrisonTeam Doctor: Chris KouturesAthletic Trainer: Aaron Brock

2012 (London) 5th PlaceMatt Anderson Sean RooneyDavid Lee Rich Lambourne Paul Lotman Donald Suxho Reid Priddy Brian Thornton Russell Holmes Clay Stanley David Smith David McKienzieHead Coach: Alan Knipe Team Manager: Rob Browning Assistant Coach: John Speraw Assistant Coach: Gary Sato Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen Technical Coordinator: Chris Jackson Medical Support: Aaron Brock Scout Coach: Andy Read Scout Coach: Mike Sealy

103

USA All-Time Versus International CompetitionUSA Men's Volleyball Team Record vs. World (1981-2012)

OverallCountry Record 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Argentina 43-8 0-0 0-0 2-1 3-0 1-0 1-0 2-0 2-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-2 1-0 0-0 5-0 2-0 2-1 1-1 0-0 0-0 2-0 5-1 4-1 3-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 2-0 1-0Australia 17-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-1 3-0 4-0 0-0 4-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Bahamas 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0Barbados 9-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Brazil 64-75 7-5 0-1 0-2 7-8 2-1 5-0 11-3 5-0 1-0 1-4 1-0 1-4 1-12 1-4 1-5 0-1 0-0 2-2 1-2 4-4 1-5 1-1 0-2 2-0 1-1 0-1 2-1 2-0 0-0 0-0 2-6 2-0Bulgaria 23-13 0-0 0-1 4-0 4-0 6-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-4 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-1 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 2-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0

Cameroon 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0Canada 94-34 7-0 8-1 8-0 2-2 4-3 1-0 5-0 2-2 5-1 0-5 5-2 4-5 1-1 6-4 6-0 0-0 1-0 7-1 3-3 1-2 1-1 3-1 5-0 2-0 0-1 2-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0

Chile 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0China 44-12 0-0 3-2 0-0 5-0 1-0 1-0 6-0 2-1 0-0 1-0 0-1 3-1 0-0 3-2 2-3 0-0 0-0 6-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 3-1 0-0 1-0 0-0

Costa Rica 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0Cuba 76-69 1-2 0-0 4-6 5-7 9-4 9-5 6-3 14-0 0-3 0-7 1-3 1-8 1-5 2-0 4-4 0-1 0-2 0-2 4-1 0-1 0-2 0-0 1-1 2-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 1-0 0-1 0-0 3-1 2-0

Cuba "B" 0-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-2 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Czech "B" 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Czech Rep. 20-5 0-0 0-0 1-0 5-0 2-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-4 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0Denmark 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Domin. Rep. 14-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0Egypt 13-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 2-0 0-0

Finland 13-1 0-0 0-0 5-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 0-0 3-1 0-0 0-0France 39-18 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 6-0 2-1 4-1 1-2 5-4 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 2-1 3-0 1-2 2-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 3-2 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-2

Germany 18-6 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-2 1-0 0-0 2-2 1-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-1Great Britain 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0

Greece 12-8 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-2 0-4 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-2 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Guatemala 6-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Haiti 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Honduras 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

India 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Iran 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0Iraq 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Italy 26-42 0-0 4-2 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-5 1-3 2-1 0-4 0-2 1-4 0-0 0-0 0-2 3-3 0-2 0-0 1-5 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 4-0 1-0 3-1 0-1 0-1 3-2

Jamaica 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Japan 137-59 3-6 11-4 5-4 8-0 8-0 12-0 4-0 8-0 8-1 3-4 6-6 7-7 3-9 5-4 7-3 8-0 4-4 4-1 6-1 0-0 2-4 0-0 1-0 3-1 1-0 4-0 5-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0Korea 49-7 0-0 6-1 0-0 4-0 4-0 1-0 0-0 11-0 1-0 1-0 3-2 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-1 4-2 0-0 0-0 5-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-0Libya 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Mexico 27-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 2-0Neth. Ant. 2-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Netherlands 24-31 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 3-7 0-2 4-2 1-4 0-0 0-2 3-2 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-2 0-1 1-3 0-1 0-0 1-0 2-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-1 0-0 0-0 0-0Panama 7-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0Poland 33-18 0-0 3-3 11-2 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 4-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 2-4 0-0 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-4 1-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 2-3 0-1

Portugal 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Puerto Rico 28-1 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 3-0 0-0 3-1 2-0 1-0 0-0 6-0 0-0

Romania 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Russia 56-46 0-0 0-1 0-1 4-1 8-2 5-4 6-2 9-3 8-1 3-3 2-3 4-1 1-3 0-0 0-0 2-1 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-1 0-0 2-5 0-0 0-0 0-2 1-0 0-1 1-4 0-2 0-1

Russia "B" 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Serbia/Mont. 11-13 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-2 0-0 0-1 1-0 0-2 0-0 1-1 0-1 1-0 0-0 1-3 0-0 2-1 0-1 0-0 0-2 1-0

Slovakia 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Slovenia 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Spain 16-5 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 1-3 4-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Sweden 10-4 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 4-1 5-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0Thailand 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Trin & Tob 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0Tunisia 9-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0Ukraine 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Venezuela 12-3 0-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0Virgin Is. 2-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Total 992-483 22-13 47-16 44-16 55-18 56-11 47-9 49-9 64-8 39-19 21-37 29-23 26-31 18-38 27-26 36-27 28-8 11-8 47-19 32-15 28-18 15-17 19-17 23-6 20-9 27-6 18-14 33-8 29-5 16-6 14-7 26-15 25-71981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

104

International Volleyball Fact SheetIntroduction: Volleyball has major international competitions every year and, at its highest level, is a physically demanding sport played by some of the world’s most elite athletes. Of course, volleyball is also a popular recreational activity enjoyed by more than 38 million persons in the United States (more than any team sport but basketball) and more than 800 million persons globally, making it the world’s most popular participant sport. This fact sheet is designed to provide more understanding about international volleyball and its major competitions, includ-ing the Olympic Games.

International Governing Body: The international governing body for volleyball is the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The FIVB is the world’s largest sports federation, with more than 200 member nations. Under the direction of its president, Dr. Ruben Acosta of Mexico, the FIVB oversees the administration of volleyball throughout the world and is responsible for producing several major events, including the Olympic Games, World Champion-ships, World Cup, World League and World Grand Prix.

National Governing Body: The national governing body (NGB) for volleyball in the United States is USA Volleyball, formerly known as the United States Volleyball Association. Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is responsible for the administration of all forms of volleyball in the United States, including producing the annual USA Open Volleyball Championships, Junior Olympic Championships and the USA Outdoor National Championships. As mandated by the 1978 Amateur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and the FIVB for training and nominating the teams which represent the United States in the Olympic Games and other important volley-ball competitions worldwide.

Major Competitions: The four major events on the international volleyball calendar are the Olympic Games (men and women, indoor and beach), World Championships (men and women, indoor and beach), World Cup (men and women, indoor), World League (men, indoor) and World Grand Prix (women, indoor). All events are conducted quadrennially, with the exceptions of the annual World League/Grand Prix and the biennial Beach World Championships.

World Rankings: Following the decision of the FIVB Board of Administration, a new system of point attribution based on a new scale has been implemented for the FIVB World Ranking of Volleyball National Teams. The following competitions are now included:

• Senior World Championships included for four years - 25 per-cent reduction each year. Points are also granted for the qualifi-cation matches, to the best non-qualified teams.

• Olympic Games included for four years - 25 percent reduction each year. Points are also granted for the qualification matches, to the best non-qualified teams.

• World Cup included for two years - 50 percent reduction the second year.

• Senior Continental Championships included for two years - 50 percent reduction the second year; points are also granted for the qualification matches to the best non-qualified teams.

• Men’s World League / Women’s World Grand Prix included for one year. Top 40 teams in the FIVB World Ranking:

Women (Points) - as of 8/13/2012 Men (Points) as of 8/13/20121. USA (245) 1. Brazil (300)2. Brazil (217.5) 2. Russia (276.5)3. Japan (197.25) 3. Italy (235.5)4. Italy (190.75) 4. Poland (230.75)5. China (169) 5. USA (203)6. Serbia (145) 6. Cuba (190.5)7. Russia (131.25) 7. Serbia (155)8. Germany (108.25) 8. Bulgaria (152.5)9. Dominican Republic (72.75) 9. Argentina (144)10. Cuba (69) 10. Germany (115.75)11. Turkey (64.25) 11. Australia (63)12. Thailand (62) 12. Tunisia (57)13. Korea (56.25) 13. Egypt (56.75)14. Poland (55.75) 14. Iran (53)15. Kenya (50.75) 15. China (48)16. Algeria (47.25) 16. France (47.75)17. Peru (42.5) 17. Cameroon (46.75)18. Argentina (40) 18. Canada (46)19. Puerto Rico (33.5) 19. Japan (41.75)20. Netherlands (30.25) 20. Venezuela (40)21. Egypt (28) 21. Puerto Rico (38.75)22. Canada (25.75) 22. Rep. of Korea (35.75)23T. Czech Republic (23.75) 23. Mexico (33.75)23T. Kazakhstan (23.75) 24. Czech Republic (32)25. Senegal (23.5) 25. Algeria (27.25)26. Colombia (22.5) 26. Colombia (26.75)27. Mexico (20.25) 27. Slovakia (26.25)28T. Costa Rica (20) 28. Great Britain (24.75)28T. Chinese Taipei (20) 29. Spain (24.5)30. Cameroon (19) 30. India (21.75)31. Uruguay (18.25) 31. Finland (21.25)32. Croatia (17.25) 32. Chile (20.5)33. Tunisia (16) 33. Trinidad & Tobago (17)34. Trinidad & Tobago (15.75) 34. Morocco (16.75)35. Romania (14.5) 35. Congo (14)36. Azerbaijan (14.25) 36. Slovenia (13.75)37. Chile (13.75) 37. Pakistan (13)38T. Belgium (12.25) 38T. Portugal (12.75)38T. Belarus (12.25) 38T. Estonia (12.75)40T. Spain (10.5) 40. South Africa (12.5)40T. France (10.5)

105

Olympic Games: Volleyball made its debut in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Twelve teams in both the men’s and women’s draw earn the right to compete:

Past Olympic Champions (Men) 1964: Soviet Union (USA, ninth) 1968: Soviet Union (USA, seventh) 1972: Japan, (USA, DNQ) 1976: Poland (USA, DNQ) 1980: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ) 1984: USA 1988: USA 1992: Brazil (USA, third) 1996: Netherlands (USA, ninth)2000: Yugoslavia (USA, 11th)2004: Brazil (USA, fourth)2008: USA 2012: Russia (USA, fifth)

Past Olympic Champions (Women)1964: Japan (USA, fifth)1968: Soviet Union (USA, eighth)1972: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ)1976: Japan (USA, DNQ)1980: Soviet Union (USA, DNP)1984: China (USA, second)1988: Soviet Union (USA, seventh)1992: Cuba (USA, third)1996: Cuba (USA, seventh)2000: Cuba (USA, fourth)2004: China (USA, fifth)2008: Brazil (USA, second) 2012: Brazil (USA, second)

World Championships: The World Championships are held every four years in the second year after the Olympics. The site, usually separate for the men’s and women’s competitions, is determined by the FIVB based on bids received from interested cities. The 24 berths for the men and women are gained in the following manner (2006 information is provided in parenthesis where available):• Host country• Defending World Champions• FIVB determined the appropriate number of qualification spots for each continent/zone based on performance at the 2002 World Championships and the number of teams registered for the 2006 World Championships. Each continent/zone played a World Cham-pionships Qualification Tournament in early 2002.

Past World Champions (Men) 1949: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1952: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1956: Czechoslovakia (USA, sixth)1960: Soviet Union (USA, seventh)1962: Soviet Union (USA, DNP)1966: Czechoslovakia (USA, 11th)1970: East Germany (USA, 18th)1974: Not held 1978: Soviet Union (USA, 19th)1982: Soviet Union (USA, 13th)1986: USA1990: Italy (USA, 13th)1994: Italy (USA, third)1998: Italy (USA, ninth)

2002: Brazil (USA, ninth)2006: Brazil (USA, 10th)2010: Brazil (USA, sixth)

Past World Champions (Women)1952: Soviet Union (USA, DNP)1956: Soviet Union (USA, ninth)1960: Soviet Union (USA, sixth)1962: Japan (USA, DNP)1966: Japan (USA, second)1970: Soviet Union (USA, 11th)1974: Japan (USA, 12th)1978: Cuba (USA, fifth)1982: China (USA, third)1986: China (USA, 10th)1990: Soviet Union (USA, third)1994: Cuba (USA, sixth)1998: Cuba (USA, 13th)2002: Italy (USA, second)2006: Russia (USA, ninth)2010: Russia (USA, fourth)

World Cup: The World Cup is held every four years, in the year prior to the Olympic Games. Though originally held at various sites, it has been hosted by Japan since 1977. Prior to 1991, the World Cup took place in the year immediately following the Olympics. The 12 berths in the World Cup for men and women are gained in the following manner:

• Host country (Japan- Men and Women)• Defending World Cup champion• Winners of the five zone championships• The highest-placed team (of each zone) not qualified for the Olympic Games in accordance with the ranking of the zone champi-onships.

Past World Cup Champions (Men)1965: Soviet Union (USA, DNP) 1969: East Germany (USA, DNP)1973: Soviet Union (USA, seventh)1977: Soviet Union (USA, 10th) 1981: Soviet Union (USA, DNQ) 1985: USA 1989: Cuba (USA, fourth) 1991: Soviet Union (USA, third) 1995: Italy (USA, fourth)1999: Russia (USA, fourth)2003: Brazil (USA, fourth)2007: Brazil (USA, fourth) 2011: Russia (USA, sixth)

Past World Cup Champions (Women)1973: Soviet Union (USA, sixth)1977: Japan (USA, seventh)1981: China (USA, fourth)1985: China (USA, DNQ)1989: Cuba (USA, DNQ)1991: Cuba (USA, fourth)1995: Cuba (USA, seventh)1999: Cuba (USA, ninth)2003: China (USA, third)2007: Italy (USA, third)2011: Italy (USA, second)

International Volleyball Fact Sheet

106

Zone Championships: The volleyball world is divided into five international zones.The United States is in the NORCECA (North America Central America Caribbean) Zone, with championships held every other year at various sites. The other zones are Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The frequency of zone championships competition varies in each of the five sections. Any nation in a particular zone may participate in its zone cham-pionships whenever such a competition is conducted.

Past NORCECA Champions (Men)1969: Cuba (USA, third) 1971: Cuba (USA, second) 1973: USA 1975: Cuba (USA, third) 1977: Cuba (USA, fifth) 1979: Cuba (USA, fifth) 1981: Cuba (USA, second) 1983: USA 1985: USA 1987: Cuba (USA, second) 1989: Cuba (USA, third) 1991: Cuba (USA, second) 1993: Cuba (USA, second) 1995: Cuba (USA, second) 1997: Cuba (USA, second)1999: USA2001: Cuba (USA, second)2003: USA2005: USA2007: USA2009: Cuba (USA, second) 2011: Cuba (USA, second)

Past NORCECA Champions (Women)1969: Mexico (USA, bronze)1971: Mexico (USA, DNP)1973: Cuba (USA, third)1975: Cuba (USA, second)1977: Cuba (USA, third)1979: Cuba (USA, second)1981: USA1983: USA1985: Cuba (USA, second)1987: Cuba (USA, second)1989: Cuba (USA, third)1991: Cuba (USA, second)1993: Cuba (USA, second)1995: Cuba (USA, second)1997: Cuba (USA, second)1999: Cuba (USA, second)2001: USA2003: USA2005: USA2007: Cuba (USA, second)2009: Dominican Republic (USA, fourth) 2011: USA

World League and World Grand Prix: The World League fea-tures the top 12 men’s volleyball teams in the world in competi-tion for a total purse that has grown to $15 million since the in-augural season in 1990. Teams are divided into three, four-team pools and each country playing the other teams in their pool four times (twice at home, twice on the road). The winner and runner-up in each pool advance to a seeded playoff round. The regular season is usually played in May and June with playoffs in early July.

The World Grand Prix is the women’s counterpart to the World League, and offers a total purse of $2 million to its 12-team field. Teams play in different four-team pools each weekend, at round-robin tournaments hosted by cities throughout Asia. The three teams with the best records join the host country for the Grand Prix Finals. The regular season is played in August and early-September with playoffs in mid-September.

World League Champions 1990: Italy (USA, fourth in pool)1991: Italy (USA, third in pool)1992: Italy (USA, first in pool, third overall)1993: Brazil (USA, fifth in pool) 1994: Italy (USA, fourth in pool) 1995: Italy (USA, fourth in pool) 1996: Netherlands (USA, DNP) 1997: Italy (USA, DNP) 1998: Cuba (USA, DNP)1999: Italy (USA, DNP)2000: Italy (USA, first in pool, sixth overall)2001: Brazil (USA, third in pool, tied-ninth overall)2002: Russia (USA, DNP)2003: Brazil (USA, DNP)2004: Brazil (USA, DNP)2005: Brazil (USA, DNP)2006: Brazil (USA, third in pool)2007: Brazil (USA, third in finals)2008: USA2009: Brazil (USA, sixth)2010: Brazil (USA, eighth) 2011: Russia (USA, seventh) 2012: Poland (USA, second)

World Grand Prix Champions1993: Cuba (USA, seventh regular season)1994: Brazil (USA, fifth regular season)1995: USA1996: Brazil (USA, fifth)1997: Russia (USA, eighth)1998: Brazil (USA, eighth)1999: Russia (USA, DNP)2000: Cuba (USA, sixth)2001: USA2002: Russia (USA, sixth)2003: China (USA, third)2004: Brazil (USA, third)2005: Brazil (USA, eighth)2006: Brazil (USA, seventh)2007: Netherlands (USA, eighth final, seventh preliminary)2008: Brazil (USA, fourth)2009: Brazil (USA, ninth)2010: USA 2011: USA 2012: USA

International Volleyball Fact Sheet

107

Name: USA VolleyballLocation: Colorado Springs, Colo.Founded: 1928Membership: Approximately 275,000

Mission: USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for all disciplines of volleyball in the United States and is officially recognized by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). As mandated by the Amateur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible for the growth of the sport in America at the grassroots and most elite levels. USA Volleyball is the parent organization of the USA National Teams.

Chief Executive Officer: Doug BealHead Coach USA Women: Hugh McCutcheon (Fourth Year with Women’s Team)Head Coach USA Men: Alan Knipe (Fourth Year with Men’s Team)

Major 2012 National Team Events:

Senior Women’s Volleyball Senior Men’s VolleyballFIVB World Grand Prix (June 8-July 1, Various Countries) U.S. versus Argentina (April 27 and April 29, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)Pan American Cup (July 11-21, Mexico) NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualifier (May 7-12, Long Beach, Calif.)U.S. versus Bulgaria (July 14, 16, 18 - Anaheim/Los Angeles, Calif.) FIVB World League (May 18-July 8, Various Countries)Olympic Games (July 27-Aug. 13, London) Pan American Cup (July 7-15, Dominican Republic) Olympic Games (July 27-Aug. 13, London)

Indoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) BeachIndoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour (various countries)NORCECA Girls’ Youth Championship (June 26-July 1, Dominican Republic) NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour (various countries)USAV Girls’ Junior National Championships (June 28-July 7, Columbus, Ohio) Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series (various stops in United States)NORCECA Boys’ Youth Championship (July 2-7, Mexico) FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Youth World Championships (July 11-14, Cyprus)USAV Boys’ Junior National Championships (July 1-8, Dallas, Texas) FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Junior World Championsihps (Aug. 29-Sept. 2, Canada)USAV High Performance Championships (July 24-28, Des Moines, Iowa) NORCECA Women’s Junior Championship (Aug. 21-26, Nicaragua)NORCECA Men’s Junior Championship (Aug. 27-Sept. 1, Colorado Springs, Colo.)

Other EventsNCVF Collegiate Club Championships (April 5-7, Kansas City, Mo.)USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge (April 14-15, Hermosa Beach, Calif.)USA Volleyball Open National Championships (May 26-June 2, Salt Lake City, Utah)USA Beach Junior Tour (various locations)

About USA Volleyball: Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a Colorado incorporated non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) as the National Governing Body for the sport of Volleyball in the United States. USA Volleyball is responsible for both the Olympic disciplines of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. USA Volleyball has over 275,000 registered members, 12,000 teams and 5,300 clubs nationwide. With an annual budget in excess of $17 million dollars, USA Volleyball supports the USA men’s and women’s senior national team programs, youth and junior national teams, national championship events, coaching education and certification programs, grassroots development, and programs for the disabled and Paralympic Teams. USA Volleyball has a rich tradition of success as evidenced by winning an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984 and capturing numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles. USA Volleyball is committed to and works toward opportunity for all to participate. It is an advocate for all Americans endeavoring to assure universal access to opportunities at all levels of the game. For more information please visit www.usavolleyball.org.

Other: USA Volleyball consists of 40 regional volleyball associations which manage grassroots playing opportunities for the USA Volleyball membership and is affiliated with 36 member organizations (i.e. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, YMCA) that provide playing opportunities at a variety of levels.

USA Volleyball Fact Sheet

108

4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Phone: 719-228-6800USAVolleyball.org