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Ball, Lloy
- Two-time U.S. Olympian (’96 & ’00)
- Long-time USA team captain
- U.S. National Team starting setter since 1994
- Ball was named the Best Server in the World in 1995 and the Best Setter in the World in 1999.
- Named to Volleyball Monthly's Fab 50 team as well as All-Time Fab 50 list.
- When Ball first joined the U.S. national team full time in 1994, the team was struggling after posting an 18-38 record in 1993. When Ball became the starting setter, the team went on a 14-1 tear.
- Regarded as one of the premier setters in college at Indiana-Purdue, Fort Wayne, where he was coached by his father, Arnie, and earned a communications degree.
- During those four years IPFW, they went to three NCAA Final Fours (’91, ‘92, ‘94) and Ball was named NCAA Freshman of the Year in 1991 and All-American the next three years.
- Turned down several basketball scholarship offers (including one from Bobby Knight at Indiana University) to play college volleyball.
- First trained with USA 'B' team in 1990 at the age of 18 (youngest player ever).
- Since there was no high school volleyball in Indiana, Lloy only played in the summer and made his first breakthrough at age 15 by getting an automatic position on the 1987 Olympic Festival.
- Began playing volleyball before the age of five -- "I remember dad setting up pillows along the floor in the family room. Then, he and I would play one-on-one volleyball with a balloon. Slowly, I progressed to a heavier ball and more organized games."
Playing volleyball has always been an uphill battle for Ball, especially coming from a basketball-bred state like Indiana. When he decided to go volleyball full-time, he had difficulty gaining acceptance with the national team. It was tough as a young player trying to crack a veteran Olympic lineup, especially since he hailed from the Midwest, not the more familiar state of California, where the squad trained. "I went out there pretty headstrong trying to prove something. I still say today that each time out there, I'm playing for everyone east of the Mississippi."
On playing for the USA: "Every time I put on that uniform, hear the national anthem, it's something special. We all play for club teams overseas, but it's not the same as when you put on the Red, White and Blue. You go into the gym with something extra."
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Height: 6' 8"
Born: 17-Feb-72
Hometown: Woodburn, Ind.
Sport: Volleyball
Position: Setter
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