Volleyball

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London are just a couple weeks away, so the inclusion of the United States women's volleyball team in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue couldn't come at a better time, as the gold medal favorites will look to avenge a loss to Brazil in Beijing four years ago.

On the surface it may not seem like the two things are related at all, but getting the team in the spotlight ahead of time should prepare it for the challenges it will face in London. If the players are comfortable enough to be photographed nude for a magazine that will be seen by millions, then the Olympic stage shouldn't be a problem.

The American squad was extremely impressive in 2008, but it faltered in the finals against a Brazilian team that is used to playing for medals. Prior to Beijing, the United States women's volleyball team hadn't won a medal since 1992 in Barcelona, so the squad gained some valuable experience and now knows what it takes to win.

Since there are such high expectations for the women's team this time around, it will be beneficial for them to be out in the public eye, and that is what The Body Issue will provide. It isn't going to have any tangible effect on how they play physically, but perhaps the ladies will be even mentally tougher when you combine the photo shoot with the Olympic experience they have collected.

Had the team gone into London as the favorites without any previous exposure, the Olympic pressure could have certainly gotten to them. The closer they get to the finals, the more pressure they will feel to win. Now that they are out in the open and are a known commodity, though, I can't see them being rattled moving forward.

The US Olympic team's inclusion is also good for the sport as a whole. Aside from the Olympics, there generally isn't much national interest in volleyball. While it may not be for all the right reasons, I'm sure that the women's squad will gain quite a few new fans because of its appearance in the magazine.

Hope Solo helped women's soccer gain new legions of fans last year when she appeared in The Body Issue shortly after Team USA's participation in the World Cup. I'm not sure if women's volleyball will see a similar spike (pun intended) in popularity, but there is no possible way that it can hurt, so this entire situation should be looked at as a positive no matter how you slice it.

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Destinee Hooker has emerged as a star for the 2012 U.S. Olympic volleyball team. She will be a huge part of the U.S. team during the London Games, and will soon be thrust into the spotlight.

Hooker is a two-sport athlete whose background as a high jumper has helped her become an elite volleyball player on the international stage, and her career in the spotlight will begin with a dominant performance in London.

Hooker could have been an Olympian in either sport, but she chose volleyball. Her ability to elevate well comes from her experience as a jumper, and is crucial to her game, but she excels in all areas.

A stud at the University of Texas, Hooker found great success in both volleyball and as a high jumper. At 6'4" and 160 pounds she has the perfect frame for both sports, and her list of awards and achievements in college is incredible.

Hooker was named to the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine First Team All-America and was the 2008-09 Big 12 Conference Female Athlete of the Year. A three-time AVCA All-Central Region First Team and six-time Big 12 Player of the Week, she was a volleyball stud.

However, she had just as much success as a jumper.

She was a three-time NCAA Outdoor High Jump Champion, the 2009 NCAA Indoor High Jump Champion, 2009 USTFCCCA Division I South Central Female Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year.

Wow.

She averaged 5.15 points, 1.65 digs and 0.85 blocks per set at the FIVB World Grand Prix, and she helped the U.S. take home gold at the event. She was also named the MVP of the event because of it.

Entering 2012 she had won three gold medals and a silver in her last four major international competitions, helping the Americans to unbelievable success over that time.

She now looks to continue that trend and win her first Olympic medal in London. With her skill and athleticism, and the talents of her fellow Americans, you can bet that it will be a gold.

Hooker is not a household name right now. She is only known by those who truly follow volleyball, but that won't be the case for much longer.

Once she helps the Americans make a deep run, the team will gain popularity and the stars of the team will become known as they compete for gold.

The 24-year-old from Texas will undoubtedly be among the stars who gain popularity. She is the best player on the team, and her role as the MVP will become common knowledge during the Games.

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The veterans are the key for the U.S. Olympic volleyball team, including Logan Tom. Tom will play in her fourth Olympic Games during the 2012 Summer Olympics, and she will seek her first gold medal in London with the U.S. Olympic Volleyball team.

Tom is an incredible player. The 31-year-old is a true veteran. While she has never done better than winning silver, she will look to take home gold with her fellow veterans.

The hopes of USA volleyball will rely heavily on the veterans of the team, many of whom ave made previous Olympic teams.

Lindsey Berg, Nicole Davis,Tayyiba Haneef-Park, Danielle Scott-Arruda, Jennifer Tamas (alternate) and Tom were all part of the 2008 Olympic team that won silver, and will look to find a new level of success by winning gold.

Some of these players could be considered the best on the team, but Tom could easily be called the best all-around player the U.S. has.

Having five returning members from the last Olympic team bodes well for the Americans, as the U.S. team will have both experience and talent this year.

These returning players are all extremely talented and will provide a great core for the 2012 team. However, they are not alone, as new members will join the team and bring their talent.

While the new members have a lot of potential, they will need leadership and guidance. Luckily, the veterans can provide that.

They are not only needed for their contributions to the team, but they will also guide the new players to success.

Tom is arguably the best player on the team, and her experience will help her be the leader. She has the power to control the team, and she will help lead them to success.

The X-factor for this team is the leadership that these vets will provide.

If the new players can control their emotions and keep calm during the Games, they will become stars. However, they will only be able to do so if the veterans on this team can guide them.

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Parenthood seems to be the unanimous issue that separates the best beach volleyball team in the world from their competition.

Misty May-Treanor, 34, and Kerri Walsh, 33, have been unstoppable for over a decade. To name a few accolades, they clipped off an astounding 112-game win streak and two Olympic titles. And that is just scratching the surface.

Age has begun to slowly catch up with the pair. Despite their driving passion, their physical abilities are pointing that this may be their last run at glory form.  

Shortly after the completion of their headlining repeat gold-medal act in Beijing, May-Treanor took to a different style of stage.

After dipping her feet in sand for nearly her whole life, she settled into some more sensible shoes as a cast member of ABC's hit series, Dancing With The Stars. 

A devastating blow would sideline the pairing for 18 months as May-Treanor wound up tearing her Achilles.

While May-Treanor was locked in rehab, Walsh put a ring on her finger and gave birth to two baby boys. The vision of retirement began to circle. 

Needless to say, while the duo has been plagued with injuries and dealt with the challenges of becoming a mother, new beach volleyball pairs have begun to emerge. 

Is the era over? The Brazilian pairing of Juliana Silva and Larissa Franca would like to think so. 

The Brazilians defeated the highly targeted Americans in last summer's world championships.

2001 marked the last year before the reality check of 2011 that they had lost at an Olympic or world event. 

May-Treanor and Walsh know they are pinned atop everyone's radar. And the inexperience and time away from the game recently may hurt them in their quest for a three-peat in London 2012.

Currently, the duo rests in the third position in the world rankings. They sit behind No. 1-ranked Brazil, and the No. 2-ranked Chinese squad of Xue Chen and Zhang Xi. 

For the first time, May-Treanor and Walsh will not be entering as the favorites.

Regardless, the two have made beach volleyball a thing of beauty for all women. If they take home the hardware in 2012, they will own the rights to 60 percent of the gold medals since the sport's existence in the Olympics. 

The youth of the Chinese and the Brazilians are poised to take down the defending champs. They are out to rewrite the history books and prove to the world that there is a new face in the sport. 

They're without their all-world setter, Lloy Ball, ranked sixth in the world, and barely made the games after taking gold in the North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

But the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team is still stacked with the potential to defend their Olympic gold in London.

Coach Alan Knipe heads a team that, despite its visible age and lackluster international performances in recent years, is quite capable of making another run at the podium.

What does the U.S. have going for them?

#1. Experience

This team has been here before. Nearly half the roster from the Beijing games is returning to defend their medals.

Their upset of top-ranked Brazil--who, by the way, is still No. 1--was quite the stunner. Plus, the squad was in an all-or-nothing situation in May when they were faced with having to win the NORCECA games or not having the chance to repeat as Olympic champions.

They know pressure.

And the team that won the qualifying tournament was composed of nine players over the age of 30. Give me experience over raw youth any day.

#2. Momentum

Tournaments, playoffs, and championships are all about who's hot. Remember that New York Giants run to the Super Bowl?

The U.S. needed big wins down the stretch in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and got them. Don't doubt for a second that something like that won't carry over, especially since their semifinal victory came over fifth-ranked Cuba.

#3. Outside Hitter Matt Anderson

While this team may be graying a bit, Anderson brings a youthful presence. The 25-year-old is the youngest member of the team, and also the most dominant of late.

Anderson led the team in 2011 in scoring, and played more sets than any other teammate. In the FIVB World Cup, he led the team with 158 points (139 kills, five blocks, 14 aces).

The U.S. will rely on the 6'10" (tallest on the team) former Nittany Lion and his youthful legs to carry them to a gold medal.

#4. Libero Rich Lambourne

While Lambourne leads Team USA in years (37), he still gets it done on the court. He's the team's best digger and will have to dig into any fountain of youth he can find to help slow down offenses like Brazil and Poland.

This team goes as far as he takes them. If he can keep opposing teams off the scoreboard like he's capable of (he finished pool play in the 2011 FIVB World League ranked third among all liberos), it'll help set up whoever sets and the rest of the offense.

Defense wins championships.

#5. One Last Hoorah

This team isn't getting any younger.

Outside hitter and captain Reid Priddy is 34. He finished third on the team in scoring last year, but missed a few tournaments with injuries.

Opposite Clay Stanley is also 34. He remains one of the team's best threats after being named the 2011 USA Volleyball Male Indoor Athlete of the Year but how many more Olympic games does he have in him?

And the same goes for Lambourne.

This could very well be the last Olympics for several members of this team. Don't expect them to go out quietly. These guys are looking for that swan song performance and are quite capable of pulling off another stunning run for gold.

But you can bet that Brazil wants revenge and the other top-five teams (Russia, Italy, Poland and Cuba) won't back down either. Team USA knows what they need to do to bring home the hardware, though.

Many of the nation's colleges have a long history in athletics. Others have to make one.

The latter includes my alma mater, California State University San Marcos, part of the state system and so obscure that its newly minted coaches joke that people don't know where it is. CSUSM has now begun to field some major athletic programs, including men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball. My colleague, Lisa Siegfried, recently visited the volleyball team and here's what she uncovered about their strong start.

There’s a brand new volleyball team at CSUSM. They’re led by junior Nichole May, team captain and Libero extraordinaire, and freshman outside hitter Taylor DeGraaf. At the helm is head coach Andrea Leonard. With a current record of 19-6, they’re proving that a first-year program can also be a first-rate one.

They’ve come a long way from where they started.

Two previous coaches were secured and subsequently left before the season even began. The last-minute savior of the program, Leonard didn’t even have time to learn her players’ names or positions before walking into the first team practice.

Flash forward to the first match, and the NAIA hadn’t had time to clear all the players for competition. This group of unknowns was stuck out on the court with some of its best players absent, the rest of them scrambling to cover unfamiliar positions.

The university they play for doesn’t even have a gym large enough to practice jump serves, let alone host a match. They have to play home games at the local Escondido High School.

And they’re very young—on a roster of 16 players, 10 are freshmen. They have no seniors.

But you’d never guess any of that when you look at them. They’re ranked first in their conference and 15th in the Coaches’ Top 25 poll. How does a program with beginnings like these become one of the major teams to beat in their first season?

Ask Leonard that question, and she’ll say there are a lot of factors, but first and foremost, it’s all about leadership.

“I’ve been coaching long enough to know if you don’t have good leadership, in the locker room or on the floor, you’re going to have problems.”

No sweat there; she can’t say enough about the skills of her team captain.

It’s not just about the way May plays; it’s also her demeanor and maturity. “Choosing a team captain is about experience and ability to communicate both with the team and the staff. She takes care of a lot of things that I don’t even know are going on. She’s a great leader in everything that she does.”

May believes that part of the team's success comes from the integrity of her teammates. “If one of us makes a mistake, we apologize to the whole team. We’re very up front with each other. We have a good mix of very nice people and very blunt people. We’ve had no drama this season.”

Leonard also boasts happily about DeGraaf. She was one of those unlucky players sidelined in the first match. That was kind of okay with her, as she was just happy to be there at all. She got started in the recruiting process late and never thought she’d get to play on a college team. Now she’s one of the Cougars' top assets, Leonard’s “money player—the one you go to when you need to get out of situations.”

DeGraaf thinks the team’s strong record comes from the fact that they are exactly what a team should be. “I think in any group there’s always cliques, and I feel like we don’t really have that on this team at all. We’re all really close, we’re all friends, we all hang out outside of the gym. In order to play together we need to be a team all the time, on and off the court, and I think that’s helping us be successful.”

Assistant coach Andrew Bennett, who relocated from the East Coast to work alongside Leonard, feels there may be something special at work in this inaugural season.

“All the stars aligned for this team. [Andrea and I] came in last minute, and we walked into the gym and we had no idea who these people are. All of a sudden the team just started really playing great together, and all of a sudden it turns into this year. We’re ranked 15th in the country. I’ve never heard of that happening, in any sport.”

Both coaches and players are also quick to acknowledge the support and enthusiasm of the “Blue Crew,” their loyal CSUSM student fan base. They’re loud, excited, and flood the stands at every home game. This team is humbled by the Blue Crew’s dedication, and it makes them play that much better.

Given the level of success the lady Cougars have already had this season, it stands to reason that a lot of uncommitted high school seniors and junior college players looking to transfer are going to have their eyes on CSU San Marcos. But how is that going to work when Leonard could potentially have her entire team back next year?

Rest assured that she is looking to expand the roster. And she’s not necessarily looking for the player with the best stats.

“Just because someone can jump out of the gym and crack a ball doesn’t mean they are going to be on this team or involved in this program. It’s going to take that whole person.

“Some of these players got overlooked by a lot of coaches. And I’m the beneficiary of that. I think I want kids like that, who have something to prove and know who they are, and are willing to commit to a program that’s on the rise and know they’re going to get treated fairly.”

Another requirement: A desire to give back to the volleyball community. On top of excelling in their sport and keeping on top of their academics, every member of the CSUSM volleyball team coaches for one of the local clubs. Leonard is all about family and community, and she’s looking to build her team based on those principles.

Her team doesn't mind. More players mean more internal competition for playing time. It pushes each and every one of them to improve steadily and be consistent. They all want to be one of the six on the court, but they want to earn the right to be there.

As the season draws near its end, the Cougars have a lofty but attainable goal in mind. For now, their focus is to work through the slump of fatigue that everyone hits around this time. They aim to continue improving at every practice and every match, as they have been all year.

There’s essentially one week left in the regular season, consisting of three home matches and five away. It’s not too late to keep at least one eye, preferably two, on this team. The NAIA Championships are not far off, and, as a first year team, they may go in as the underdogs—but their short history suggests they won’t go out that way.

In addition to women's volleyball, Cal State San Marcos is fielding its first basketball teams in the 2011-2012 season. Men's basketball tips off November 2 in an exhibition against San Diego State. For more information on the CSUSM athletic programs, you can visit the official CSUSM athletic website.

When one thinks of Jane Collymore, the image of a volleyball player comes to mind.

She played for the Florida Gators from 2002 to 2005, and she was one of the best players the team ever had. She provided highlight reels with her ability to serve and kill.

Here’s something that will surprise folks. Collymore is a musician. She has been in concerts and produced three CDs which can be purchased on her website,  JaneCollymore.com.

She is also playing volleyball for Gigante De Carolina, a team in Puerto Rico.

“When I’m overseas competing professionally or training with the National Team, I bring my gear with me,” Collymore says.

“Most of it’s portable. I produce and write on the road. I sneak little bits in when I can. Balance is key. Everyone needs something outside of work. Pro athletes are no different.”

It’s remarkable how she manages to share her love for both occupations.

“Work hard, work smart, take breaks, drink water, get lots of sleep,” she adds.

Believe it or not, her first love was music.

“I took piano lessons from ages 3-12, so technically music was my first love. I started serious athletic competition at age 15 and immersed myself in that world.”

Music set the stage to her personal development, though.

“Music’s always been a way for me to express a side of myself that I could not through sports. A yin/yang thing. In middle school, listening to various artists and bands provided a connection when I felt like a bit of an outcast. That’s the magic of art. It’s a sort of vehicle for both the artist & the listener.” 

She found something else when she started high school.

“I started playing volleyball in high school. I had the choice of playing field hockey, lacrosse, or volleyball during spring quarter my freshman year. I’m not a fan of long-distance running, so I chose volleyball.”

Why did volleyball stand out, of all sports?

“I stuck with it because it brought structure and afforded me opportunities I otherwise would not have had.”

She did so well in volleyball that the University of Florida offered a scholarship, which she gladly accepted. She enjoyed every moment of it.

“I loved playing for the Gators and Mary Wise. Florida has such a rich athletic history and Gator fans are some of the most passionate fans in the world. Mary’s a phenomenal person and coach, and quite passionate about her program. The experience meant everything to me.”

Wise’s impact went beyond volleyball.

“Mary Wise is like a second mother to me. I not only have tremendous respect for her as a coach, but as a person as well. She's been there for me over the years as much as anyone, during my Florida tenure and after.” adds Collymore.

For all the talk about college athletes being paid or not, nothing can buy the enjoyment of playing for a school.

“I loved the campus, the sport, my team, the fans, the intensity and the fervor with which my teammates and I represented the program. It was an invaluable four years that I wouldn’t have traded for anything. I was fortunate enough to get a free education out of it at a top-notch school.”

All good things have to come to an end, so she has taken her talent to Puerto Rico after graduating from Florida. Like her time in Gainesville, her experience in the small country has been enjoyable.

“Volleyball’s pretty huge in Puerto Rico, definitely the top women’s sport, if not the top sport in this country. Teams draw pretty big crowds and crowds get pretty wild. They bring airhorns and bongo drums. It's hilarious.”

There is an intangible a person must have to be successful in life. For the former Gator, she uses her free-spirited personality to handle the rigors of music and sports.

“Naturally, you're going to encounter ups and downs. There will be people that don't believe in you and disagree with you. You'll also encounter MANY that do (agree). That’s where confidence and a solid inner foundation come into play. Focus on the positive and control what you can control. If I set my sights on something and take small steps daily, I get there.”

The Hawaii Warrior volleyball team took it to No. 2 Stanford by sweeping the defending national champs, 25-22, 25-21, 25-17 on Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Warriors (1-3, 1-0 MPSF) promptly ended a three-match losing streak in the season-opening tournament and cast off a losing record against the Cardinals dated back to 2008. 

Stanford (3-1, 2-1 MPSF) swept the two-match regular season series last season and eliminated the Warriors from the MPSF Tournament with a three-set sweep in the semifinals.

"Stanford is one of the premiere teams in our conference and the defending national champs," head coach Charlie Wade said. "For our guys to beat them the way we did tonight is quite an accomplishment. I hope we can carry this momentum into Sunday’s match."

Hawai‘i was led by opposite Jonas Umlauft, with 22 kills and a hit percentage of .500. Joshua Walker added eight kills while Steven Hunt finished with six kills.  UH out-hit Stanford, .459 to .200 and out-blocked the Cardinal, 8.5 to 3.0.

The Warriors started strong by gaining a 7-3 lead in set one. Stanford answered to tie it at 14 and stayed close, but Hawaii nailed the final consecutive points to lead 24-22.  Umlauft finished off the set with his eighth kill.

Set two was tied at 17 until Hawaii scored three straight points on Stanford hitting errors. Once UH had expanded the lead to 23-19, another hitting error and an Umlauft kill closed out the set.

The Warriors had set three go their way from start to finish, leading 20-12 at one point en route to a 25-17 finish with a Hunt kill, his sixth.

The teams are scheduled to face off again on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.