ANAHEIM, CA - (July 13, 2012) - Anaheim is the Official Host City for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams, and in just 14 days, the teams from Anaheim will represent the United States at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Local residents have a few final opportunities to see the teams before they depart for London, both in an exhibition competition series, and at a send-off celebration and autograph session in Anaheim at Downtown Disney.

The Women’s Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, looks to improve upon its 2008 Olympic Games Silver Medal this year in London. The Men’s Team, Gold Medal champions at the 2008 Olympic Games, recently captured the Silver Medal at the 2012 FIVB World League championship and is ranked No. 5 in the world.

Since 2006 Anaheim has been identified as a United States city with international sports distinction and American pride experienced every four years through the phenomenon of the Olympic Games. The Men’s Team moved its training headquarters to Anaheim from Colorado Springs, Colo. in 2006, followed by the Women’s Team in 2009.

Women’s Team to play three-match exhibition series:

The U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team, as nominated to the United States Olympic Committee, will host the Bulgarian National Team in a three-match exhibition series before heading to London for the Olympic Games. For a flyer, click here. The match dates, times and locations are as follows:

July 14 - 7 p.m.
Canyon High School (220 S. Imperial Hwy, Anaheim, CA)
Tickets are $5, payable at the door

July 16 and 18 – 7 p.m.
Galen Center, USC (3400 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA)
Tickets are $10 for adults, or $5 per ticket for groups of 10 or more. Visit www.usctrojans.com/usa to purchase tickets.

Send-off celebration on July 17:

In addition, both teams will be represented at a send-off celebration on Tuesday, July 17 at Downtown Disney in Anaheim. Players will sign autographs and meet their fans in front of ESPN Zone from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The event is open to the public, and fans can sign a banner wishing the local athletes success as they compete on the world’s stage in London. Parking at Downtown Disney is free for the first three hours.

For more information and to learn about the athletes representing Anaheim and the U.S. this summer in London, please visit www.anaheim.net/usav.

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

###

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.

CONNECT WITH THE CITY OF ANAHEIM

	Join the Anaheim community on Facebook
	Submit service requests via Twitter - text "d Anaheim311" to 40404
	Anaheim events and video news articles - updated weekly on Anaheim's YouTube channel
	Download the FREE My Anaheim app for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch
	Download the FREE My Anaheim app for Android devices
	Anaheim Anytime is available 24/7.  For questions regarding the City of Anaheim, simply dial 311 from any Anaheim-based landline phone or from (714) 765-4311 from a cell phone or any phone outside the city limits. Anaheim Anytime representatives are available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Recorded information and a voice mail box is also available 24/7.