I'm excited about the outlook for the USA Volleyball Teams at the London Olympics. Indoors, the USA women are the favorite and have a chance to dominate the Games and get the first Gold Medal in program history. Hugh McCutcheon, who coached the men's team to Gold in 2008, has assembled the most physically talented group ever. I was fortunate to coach Danielle Scott-Arruda, who is playing in her fifth Olympics, and I'm excited that she has a great chance to finally get that Gold medal.
The nen's team comes off a great Olympics in 2008, but has a number of new players and enters the Olympics ranked No. 5 in the world. They had a great qualifying tournament and have shown real promise in the World League competition leading up to the Olympics. I think they are going to surprise some people and be in contention.
On the beach, both the men's and women's teams have great chances for medals. The experienced Gold Medal teams of Kerri Walsh Jennings/Misty May-Treanor on the women's side and Phil Dalhausser/Todd Rogers on the men's side have a big advantage. The other pairs from the USA, Jen Kessy/April Ross and Jake Gibb/Sean Rosenthal, have played great leading up to the Olympics. Overall both the beach teams are looking very strong.
Both indoors and on the beach, the quality of the competition will be extraordinary. It is an exciting time for volleyball around the world as well as in our country. Indoor and Beach Volleyball are expected to be some of the most watch sports during this Olympics. The Saint Louis University volleyball team and staff are really looking forward to following the USA Volleyball Teams on their quest for the Gold.
