Long Beach State University Athletics
LBSU Alums Help Team USA Qualify for 2016 Olympics
9/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
Three Long Beach State alums and two members of the 49er coaching staff helped the U.S. Men's National Team win the FIVB World Cup and qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In their final match of the tournament, the United States defeated Argentina, 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The victory gave the United States a 10-1 record over the two-week round-robin tournament. Italy and Poland also went 10-1, but the U.S. won the first tie-breaker which was points earned for wins (30 points).
Italy ended up taking the silver medal and the second Olympic berth by winning the second tie-breaker, which was points ratio.
This was Team USA's first World Cup victory since 1985 and the first time they qualified for the Olympics at the World Cup.
Former 49ers David Lee (MB), Paul Lotman (OH) and Dustin Watten (L), were on the U.S. roster, while LBSU assistant coach Tyler Hildebrand and director of operations Jon Parry, were part of the coaching staff. Hildebrand, a three-time All-American at the Beach, served as the team's setting consultant, helping Micah Christenson earn the tournament's Best Setter award. Parry was in charge of the Data Volley statistics for Team USA.
Lee, a two-time Olympian and 2008 Gold Medalist, served as the U.S. Men's team captain. He was named the Most Impressive Player of the Match in a 3-0 win over Italy where he finished with six kills, three blocks and two aces.
