The 1988 U.S. Olympic Volleyball Teams


by CHP Officer Phil Konstantin, I.D. 11643


I hink your life is stressful? Well, there exists a world where an entire
life's work can be judged by only a few days' work. This world uses
such words as blocks, aces, spikes, sets, dinks, jumps, nets and sideouts. 
These monumental stresses and unusual words are the standard fare for the 
athletes competing in Olympic volleyball.

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in Holyoke, Massachusetts, back 
in 1895. During World War II, American servicemen spread its popularity overseas,
and by 1949, international competition had begun. However, lacking
any cohesive organization, U.S. teams did not fare well early in this
American-born sport.

In 1975 in Pasadena, Texas, a significant change was instituted
in the world of women's volleyball here in the United States. Through
the efforts of national volleyball organizations and civic leaders in
this Houston suburb, a national team training center was created.

Prior to the development of a year-round training center, this
country's national teams were formed almost like a game of "pickup" volleyball 
on the beach. Players would be teamed together to participate only in specific 
competitions, such as the World Cup. In these circumstances, the players
would practice together for about a month and then compete against
teams of genuine international caliber. It was no wonder that U.S.
teams seldom won.

The training center's aim was to establish a continuity in the American volleyball 
program. Hopefully, through an ongoing effort, the U.S. program could achieve 
a reputable position in the international community similar to its rankings in
other Olympic and international events such as track and field.

Living in Pasadena at the time and doing public service programs
for several Houston radio stations, I had the opportunity to interview
both the players and the coaches and watch them play and practice
on a regular basis.

As the months went by, the women noticeably began to improve. However, because 
they were starting as a team so late, the women were unable to qualify for
the 1976 Olympic Games. Noting the improvement in the women's
program, though, in 1978 the U.S. men's team started a similar team
training center in Dayton, Ohio. The year-round efforts finally paid
off and the women's team qualified for the 1980 Olympic Games in
Moscow. But the United States boycotted these Olympics so the
team did not compete.

By 1981, both the men's and women's teams had relocated to
California, with the men based in San Diego and the women working
in Coto De Casa. Eventually, the women's team also came to San
Diego, creating a truly national training center. San Diego's climate
and apparent easy access to the majority of the nation's best players who 
lived in Southern California, made San Diego the ideal choice for the 
National Volleyball Headquarters. As one men's team member said, "When 95 
percent of the team is from Southern California, who wants to go all 
the way to Ohio to play?"

One other basic success of the year-round team center concept
has been the willingness of local businesses to provide jobs for many
of the team members. This provides a steady source of income for
the players and allows them to work around their busy practice,
travel and playing schedule. (The team organization is always looking for 
more corporate and independent financial support. Interested groups should 
contact "Volleyball USA" in San Diego.)

Over the past decade, the team training center concept has proven
to be extremely successful. In the 1984 Olympics, the men won the
first U.S. Olympic medal in volleyball - - and it was GOLD. The
women also won their first medal - the SILVER — for second place.
This was an impressive feat for teams that had not even competed
in an Olympic Game since the 1968 Games in Mexico.

The route to the Olympics is complex in all sports, but especially volleyball. 
Four teams are guaranteed a position: 
	1) the winners in the previous Olympics; 
	2) the host country; 
	3) the winners of the previous World Cup (held the year after the Olympics); and, 
	4] the winners of the previous World Championship (held two years after
	   the Olympics). 
If any of these teams happen to win more than one of the events, the second 
place team would earn a berth. The other teams come from the winners of
competitions within the five world zones: 
	1) North America/Central America/ Caribbean (NORCECA);
	2) South America; 
	3) Europe; 
	4) Asia; 
	5) Africa.

Prior to the successes of 1984, the U.S. teams had a great deal of
difficulties within the NORCECA zone. Even today, Cuba continues
to be the perennial stumbling block to U.S. goals within our own zone.

Each Olympic team is limited to 12 players. Though the final Olympic team 
is subject to change right up to the opening ceremonies, the
current men's team has four returning Olympians. The women's team
was rebuilt in 1985, so they have no returning Olympic veterans.

Laurel Kessel was a part of the ill-fated 1980 Olympic team. After
taking a seven-year leave from international competition, she regained a 
position on the team in 1987 and, at 34, is the oldest player
on either team.

Caren Kemner is another cornerstone of the women's team, having been named its 
most valuable player for two years running. She is expected to be a driving force in
this year's Olympic Games in Korea.

The backbone of the men's team is Olympic veteran Karch Kiraly.
He has been the team's most valuable player for three consecutive
years and also has been a finalist for the Sullivan Award for the past
three years. (The Sullivan Award is the AAU's award to the nation's
best amateur athlete, and Kiraly was the only volleyball player to
make the list.)

Perhaps the greatest tribute to Kiraly's skill came when the International 
Volleyball Federation named him the "World's Best Volleyball Player" -- the first 
and, to date, only recipient of this honor.

Two other men to watch for are Steve Timmons and Craig Buck, both veterans 
of the 1984 Olympic team. Timmons is an outstanding outside hitter and Buck 
will be providing support services on defense as a blocker.

The United States' men's team currently is ranked No. 1 in the
world. With their 1986 World Championship triumph, these men
had won volleyball's triple crown: the Olympics, the World Cup and
the World Championships. They are only the second team ever to
perform this feat (the Soviet Union's men's team was the first).

The women's team currently is ranked near the middle of the
world's top 10 teams. Working hard on the fundamentals, the women
hope to finish in the medal round in Seoul.

At the Pan American Games in August 1987, the men's team won
the gold and the women's team won the bronze medal.

It is interesting to note that American teams receive more notoriety in 
other countries than they get here in the United States. After
a tournament in Japan, for example, players will receive fan mail from
Japanese devotees for several weeks.

It has been 13 years since I saw the beginnings of the new U.S.
national volleyball program and, during that time, there has been a
lot of changes. Volleyball has become the second largest woman's
participatory sport in the United States, and the women's team has
won international recognition. The men's team has become the standard 
by which other teams are now judged.

Prospects for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Korea look good.
It takes profound dedication to endure a daily schedule of two to
four hours of practice and then face the rigors of competition. Watching 
these men and women play, you can easily see their enthusiasm, pride, drive, 
determination and skill. With the growing international enthusiasm for this 
sport, volleyball is sure to be one of the "hot tickets" in Korea this summer.

You can't help but share the patriotic pride these players feel
when, while standing alongside the court, I watched the women break
from their pre-game huddle with a roaring cheer of "U-S-A!"

Okay, Korea, I think they're ready.


June 1988