Friday, 17 May 2024

Boys Youth Team Chosen after HPCs

USA Volleyball has announced the 12 players who will represent the Boys Youth National Team at the upcoming FIVB Boys U19 World Championship in Tunisia from August 21-30, 2019.

A Promising Lineup

The chosen team comprises seven returning players from the 2018 Boys Youth National Team, including setter Joe Karlous, opposite James Hartley, outside hitters Alex Knight, Clarke Godbold, and Joe Deluzio, middle blocker Ethan Hill, and libero Mason Briggs.

Joining them are five newcomers for 2019, including setter Kevin Kauling, opposite Klistan Lawrence, outside hitter Francesco Sani, and middle blockers Rico Wardlow and Gavin Julien.

A Team of Talented Athletes

Head Coach David Hunt expressed his confidence in the team, stating, “These are a lot of really good athletes. They are really good volleyball players. They are a combination of guys we think can compete in the tournament in a month and guys who will hopefully represent our country in the future.”

The team members hail from various regions across the United States. Five players come from the Southern California Region, two from Florida, and one each from the Great Lakes, Badger, Old Dominion, and Carolina regions.

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A Strong Performance at the USAV High Performance Championships

To prepare for the World Championship, the 24-man Boys Youth National Training Team was divided into two squads to compete at the USAV High Performance Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Red team emerged victorious, while the White team secured fifth place in the Boys Youth International Division.

Unity and Camaraderie

Team unity and camaraderie played a crucial role in the team’s success. Setter Joe Karlous described their bond, stating, “It’s a brotherhood. I’ve known these guys forever. I’ve played against them forever. If you bring them all together, you’ll figure it out.”

Off the court, the team shared meals at Panera and enjoyed walks to and from the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, fostering a sense of connection beyond volleyball.

Meet the 2019 U.S. Boys Youth National Training Team

  • Kevin Kauling (S, 6-8, Naperville, Ill., Great Lakes, committed to Lewis)
  • Mason Briggs (L, 5-11, Valencia, Calif., So Cal, signed with Long Beach State)
  • Joe Karlous (S, 6-0, Costa Mesa, Calif., So Cal, signed with Pepperdine)
  • Clarke Godbold (Opp, 6-5, San Pedro, Calif., So Cal, committed to Long Beach State)
  • James Hartley (OH, 6-6, Waxhaw, N.C., Carolina, signed with Princeton)
  • Rico Wardlow (MB, 6-5, Bolingbrook, Ill., Great Lakes, signed with Purdue University Fort Wayne)
  • Alex Knight (OH, 6-6, Culver City, Calif., So Cal, signed with UCLA)
  • Ethan Hill (MB, 6-7, San Clemente, Calif., So Cal, signed with UCLA)
  • Francesco Sani (OH, 6-8, Bethesda, Md., Old Dominion, committed to UC Irvine)
  • Joe Deluzio (OH, 6-6, Windermere, Fla., Florida, committed to Pepperdine)
  • Klistan Lawrence (OH, 6-7, Ocala, Fla., Florida, Uncommitted)
  • Gavin Julien (MB, 6-8, Whitefish Bay, Wis., Badger, signed with BYU)
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Coaching Staff:

  • Head Coach: David Hunt (Pepperdine men’s volleyball head coach)
  • Assistant Coach: Nick MacRae (Long Beach State men’s assistant coach)
  • Assistant Coach: Colin McMillan (Penn State men’s associate head coach)
  • Assistant Coach: Kevin Burch (Ohio State men’s head coach)
  • Technical Coordinator: Mitch Lush (Ohio State men’s director of operations)

FAQs

Q: How were the players chosen for the Boys Youth National Team?
A: The USA Volleyball selected the players based on their performance and skills showcased during the USAV High Performance Championships.

Q: What regions are represented in the team?
A: The team comprises players from various regions, including Southern California, Florida, Great Lakes, Badger, Old Dominion, and Carolina.

Q: How did the team prepare for the World Championship?
A: To prepare, the team participated in the USAV High Performance Championships, with the Red team winning the tournament and the White team securing fifth place in the Boys Youth International Division.

Summary

USA Volleyball has announced the 12 players who will represent the Boys Youth National Team at the FIVB Boys U19 World Championship. This promising lineup consists of a mix of experienced players from the previous year’s team as well as new additions. The team showcased their skills and unity at the USAV High Performance Championships, with the Red team emerging victorious. Head Coach David Hunt expressed his confidence in the team’s abilities and highlighted the players’ potential to represent the country in future competitions. The team is eager to demonstrate their talent and compete at the World Championship in Tunisia.

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