ANAHEIM, CA - (May 12, 2010) - The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, ranked second in the world and headquartered in Anaheim, Calif., will play two exhibition matches in Southern California this month in preparation for 2010 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) World League and World Championship competition this summer, all leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.  Anaheim is the Official Host City for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams. 

Saturday, May 15
JSerra High School, San Juan Capistrano

Friday, May 21
The Pyramid, Cal State University, Long Beach

Detailed time, location and ticket information is below.

The U.S. Men’s Team, coached by Alan Knipe and currently ranked second in the world by the FIVB, moved to Anaheim from Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2006.  In 2008, the team reestablished America’s prominence in men’s volleyball by earning the gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games and the FIVB World League Final Round. There are nine NCAA Division I men’s volleyball programs in California, more than any other state.  California also has approximately 625 high school boys’ volleyball teams with more than 15,000 players, more than any other state.
Nine players on the 19-player World League roster are returning from the 2008 U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team that won gold medals in the Olympic Games in Beijing and World League: setter Kevin Hansen (Newport Beach, Calif.), libero Rich Lambourne (Tustin, Calif.), middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.), middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah), outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.), outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) outside hitter Riley Salmon (League City, Texas), opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawai’i) and outside hitter Scott Touzinsky (St. Louis, Mo.).  Priddy, a 10-year team member and two-time Olympian, will serve as the U.S. team captain for World League.
The Men’s Team, as well as the U.S. Women’s Team, will be headquartered in Anaheim through the 2016 Olympic Games.  The Women’s Team, winner of the silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, is currently ranked fourth in the world by FIVB.

For ticket information please contact the venues directly.  For more information about USA Volleyball, please visit www.anaheim.net/usav.

Saturday, May 15
JSerra High School
26361 Junipera Serra Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92676
5:30 p.m. – A2 team
7:30 p.m. – World League team
Tickets are $10 and available at the JSerra ticket office, or by e-mailing athletics@jserra.org

Friday, May 21
The Pyramid, Cal State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840
5:30 p.m. – A2 team
7:30 p.m. – World League team
Tickets are $10 or $7, and are available by calling 562-985-4949

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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