Membership
B.J. Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 25, 2008) – The U.S. Men's Olympic Indoor Volleyball Team has been named the U.S. Olympic Committee Team of the Month for August, the USOC announced on Thursday.
The U.S. Men’s Team, which is based in Anaheim, Calif., was honored for its courageous Olympic performance as it overcame a tragic situation early in the Games to become the third U.S. men’s indoor volleyball team to win an Olympic gold medal.
After going 5-0 in pool play, the U.S. Men defeated Serbia in the quarterfinal, 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12. In the semifinal, they beat Russia, a team they had not defeated since 2004, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13.
In the gold medal match, the United States defeated 2004 Olympic Champion Brazil in four sets, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23.
The U.S. Men’s Team had to play its first three Olympic matches without its head coach, Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand), whose mother and father in-law were attacked while sight-seeing in China.
Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawai’i) was named the most valuable player, best scorer and best setter of the Olympic tournament. The other members of the team are: Lloy Ball (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.), David Lee (Alpine, Calif.), Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.), Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.), Ryan Millar (Palmdale, Calif.), Riley Salmon (League City, Texas), Tom Hoff (Park Ridge, Ill.), Kevin Hansen (Newport Beach, Calif.), Gabe Gardner (San Clemente, Calif.) and Scott Touzinsky (St. Louis, Mo.).
Besides McCutcheon, the staff in Beijing included team leader Rob Browning, first assistant coach Ron Larsen, second assistant coach John Speraw, consultant coach Marv Dunphy, technical consultant Jamie Morrison, scout Carl McGown, athletic trainer Aaron Brock and team doctor Chris Koutures.
The Women’s Olympic Basketball Team finished second in the voting for USOC Team of the Month and the Men’s 400 Meter Freestyle Relay Team finished third.
In voting for the individual awards, swimmer Michael Phelps was named the men’s USOC Athlete of the Month for August and gymnast Nastia Liukin won the women’s award.