Lloy Ball
Encyclopedia
Lloy James Ball (born February 17, 1972, in Fort Wayne, Indiana
) is an American
volleyball
player who represented the United States men's national volleyball team
in four Olympics team competitions. When not on the court actively playing the game, Ball operates Team Pineapple, a volleyball clinic that also features his father, Arnie Ball
.
, where he attended Woodlan High School. Because Ball grew up in a state that did not (and to this day does not) sanction varsity competition in boys' volleyball, he only played competitively during the summer. He made his first breakthrough at age 15 by getting an automatic position on the 1987 Olympic Festival. Ball also played basketball and was recruited by Bobby Knight to play the game at Indiana University
. Ball currently resides in Angola, Indiana
, with his wife, son and daughter.
(IPFW) from 1991–1995 and played volleyball there for his father, Arnie Ball
. In his freshman season, he was named Volleyball Magazine National Freshman of the Year as he recorded 1,421 assists to go along with 171 digs, 113 blocks and 164 kills on the year. In his sophomore season, he was an American Volleyball Coaches Association
(AVCA) Second Team All-American and also broke the school record for single season assists (2,047).
In his junior year, he was repeated as a Second Team All-American and was the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association
(MIVA) Player of the Year and recorded a career high 106 assists vs. Ball State. He ranked among the top 20 in the nation in hitting percentage and aces per game. In 1994, he was a First Team All-American and repeated as the MIVA Player of the Year. He led IPFW to the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship
semifinals, before suffering a broken hand prior to the match.
In 2006, Ball was inducted into the IPFW Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class.
. Ball came to the USA national team in May 1994 after concluding a stellar collegiate career at IPFW
.
Ball represented the U.S. men's volleyball team at the 2007 FIVB Men's World Cup, helping the team to finish fourth.
At the 2008 FIVB World League
, Ball led the U.S. men to its first ever World League title, by defeating Serbia
in the final. Ball was named the "Best Setter" and Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
, after having claimed the bronze medal two years earlier at the World Championships. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Ball started but the USA had a disappointing tournament, not winning a match and finishing with a 11th place tie with Egypt
.
At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Ball led Team USA to the semifinals, where they lost to eventual gold medalist Brazil
. They earned their way to the bronze medal match, but were swept by Russia
to come down to a fourth place finish. Despite not getting a medal, it was the best Olympic finish for the men since they won the bronze medal in 1992.
With his selection to the 2008 Olympic squad, Ball became the first male volleyball player from the United States to compete in four Olympics.
After leading Team USA past Russia
in 5 sets at the 2008 Summer Olympics semifinals in Beijing, China, Ball led Team USA to the gold medal by defeating World No. 1 Brazil
in four sets. During the tournament, the U.S. never lost a match, going undefeated at 8–0.
, he won the silver medal at the 2004–05 CEV Champions League and was awarded "Best Setter".
With the professional club VC Zenit Kazan he won another silver medal at the 2010–11 CEV Champions League
and was awarded "Best Setter".
On April 11, 2011, Ball announced he would be retiring at the end of VC Zenit Kazan's season during an interview on The Net Live radio talkshow.
(2000–2004) Iraklis Thessaloniki
(2004–2005) VC Zenit Kazan (2008–2011)
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
player who represented the United States men's national volleyball team
United States men's national volleyball team
The United States men's national volleyball team is the national team for the United States of America, it is governed by USA Volleyball....
in four Olympics team competitions. When not on the court actively playing the game, Ball operates Team Pineapple, a volleyball clinic that also features his father, Arnie Ball
Arnie Ball
Armond J. "Arnie" Ball began his 30th season in 2010 as the head coach of the IPFW Men's Mastodon volleyball program. Coach Ball has established a legacy on the courts of both the Mastodons and the national scenes...
.
Personal life
Ball grew up in Woodburn, IndianaWoodburn, Indiana
Woodburn is a city in Maumee Township, Allen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,520 at the 2010 census, making it the smallest incorporated city in the state.-Geography:Woodburn is located at ....
, where he attended Woodlan High School. Because Ball grew up in a state that did not (and to this day does not) sanction varsity competition in boys' volleyball, he only played competitively during the summer. He made his first breakthrough at age 15 by getting an automatic position on the 1987 Olympic Festival. Ball also played basketball and was recruited by Bobby Knight to play the game at Indiana University
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
. Ball currently resides in Angola, Indiana
Angola, Indiana
Angola is a city in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,612 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Steuben County . Angola was founded by Thomas Gale and Cornelius Gilmore. Angola is home to Trine University...
, with his wife, son and daughter.
IPFW
Ball attended Indiana University-Purdue University Fort WayneIndiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne is the largest university in northern Indiana, United States, offering more than 200 Indiana University and Purdue University degrees and certificates. Since 1968, IPFW has conferred nearly 8,800 master’s degrees, 27,000 bachelor’s degrees, more...
(IPFW) from 1991–1995 and played volleyball there for his father, Arnie Ball
Arnie Ball
Armond J. "Arnie" Ball began his 30th season in 2010 as the head coach of the IPFW Men's Mastodon volleyball program. Coach Ball has established a legacy on the courts of both the Mastodons and the national scenes...
. In his freshman season, he was named Volleyball Magazine National Freshman of the Year as he recorded 1,421 assists to go along with 171 digs, 113 blocks and 164 kills on the year. In his sophomore season, he was an American Volleyball Coaches Association
American Volleyball Coaches Association
The American Volleyball Coaches Association is an organization of nearly 5,000 members, incorporated as a private non-profit educational corporation in 1981, as the Collegiate Volleyball Coaches Association....
(AVCA) Second Team All-American and also broke the school record for single season assists (2,047).
In his junior year, he was repeated as a Second Team All-American and was the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association
Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association
The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association is a college athletic conference whose member schools compete in men's volleyball. Its member institutions are located in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Illinois in the west to Ohio in the east...
(MIVA) Player of the Year and recorded a career high 106 assists vs. Ball State. He ranked among the top 20 in the nation in hitting percentage and aces per game. In 1994, he was a First Team All-American and repeated as the MIVA Player of the Year. He led IPFW to the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship
NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship
The NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship is the tournament that determines the national championship of American college volleyball.The "Final Four" is a term used exclusively by NCAA Basketball but is commonly used to describe the Men's Volleyball Championship...
semifinals, before suffering a broken hand prior to the match.
In 2006, Ball was inducted into the IPFW Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class.
International
Ball competed at the 1991 (silver) and 1993 World University Games. He was also on the national team that won the silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games1995 Pan American Games
The 12th Pan American Games were held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, from March 12 to March 26, 1995. After 44 years, this was the Pan American Games first return to the country that hosted the first Games, in 1951.-Overview:...
. Ball came to the USA national team in May 1994 after concluding a stellar collegiate career at IPFW
IPFW Mastodons
The IPFW Mastodons are the athletic teams of Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. The Mastodons compete as an National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I school in the The Summit League for most sports and in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association for men's...
.
Ball represented the U.S. men's volleyball team at the 2007 FIVB Men's World Cup, helping the team to finish fourth.
At the 2008 FIVB World League
FIVB World League 2008
The FIVB World League 2008 was an international men's volleyball tournament played by 16 countries from June 13 to July 27, 2008.-Pools composition:-Intercontinental round:...
, Ball led the U.S. men to its first ever World League title, by defeating Serbia
Serbia men's national volleyball team
The Serbia men's national volleyball team is the national team of Serbia.FIVB considers Serbia as the inheritor of the records of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro....
in the final. Ball was named the "Best Setter" and Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Olympics
Ball made his Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where Team USA finished in ninth place tie with South KoreaSouth Korea men's national volleyball team
The South Korea men's national volleyball team represents South Korea in international volleyball competitions and friendly matches...
, after having claimed the bronze medal two years earlier at the World Championships. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Ball started but the USA had a disappointing tournament, not winning a match and finishing with a 11th place tie with Egypt
Egypt men's national volleyball team
The Egypt men's national volleyball team represents Egypt in international volleyball competitions and friendly matches...
.
At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Ball led Team USA to the semifinals, where they lost to eventual gold medalist Brazil
Brazil men's national volleyball team
The Brazil men's national volleyball team is the national team of Brazil. It is governed by the Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol and takes part in international volleyball competitions...
. They earned their way to the bronze medal match, but were swept by Russia
Russia men's national volleyball team
The Russia men's national volleyball team is the national team of Russia...
to come down to a fourth place finish. Despite not getting a medal, it was the best Olympic finish for the men since they won the bronze medal in 1992.
With his selection to the 2008 Olympic squad, Ball became the first male volleyball player from the United States to compete in four Olympics.
After leading Team USA past Russia
Russia men's national volleyball team
The Russia men's national volleyball team is the national team of Russia...
in 5 sets at the 2008 Summer Olympics semifinals in Beijing, China, Ball led Team USA to the gold medal by defeating World No. 1 Brazil
Brazil men's national volleyball team
The Brazil men's national volleyball team is the national team of Brazil. It is governed by the Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol and takes part in international volleyball competitions...
in four sets. During the tournament, the U.S. never lost a match, going undefeated at 8–0.
Professional
With the professional club Iraklis ThessalonikiIraklis VC
Iraklis Thessaloniki Volleyball Club is a volleyball team based in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. It plays in A1 Greek Volleyball League and in CEV Champions League. Founded in the 1920s, it evolved in one of the most successful departments of G.S...
, he won the silver medal at the 2004–05 CEV Champions League and was awarded "Best Setter".
With the professional club VC Zenit Kazan he won another silver medal at the 2010–11 CEV Champions League
Men's CEV Champions League 2010–11
The CEV Champions League was the highest level of European club volleyball in the 2010–11 season and was the 52nd edition.-Teams of the 2010–2011 competition:The number of participants on the basis of ranking list for European Cup Competitions:...
and was awarded "Best Setter".
On April 11, 2011, Ball announced he would be retiring at the end of VC Zenit Kazan's season during an interview on The Net Live radio talkshow.
Clubs
Pallavolo ModenaPallavolo Modena
Casa Modena is a professional volleyball team ofPallavolo Modena, based in Modena, Italy. It plays in Italian Volleyball League and it is one of the most important, famous and prominent volleyball clubs in the world.-Squad 2010-2012:-Achievements:...
(2000–2004) Iraklis Thessaloniki
Iraklis VC
Iraklis Thessaloniki Volleyball Club is a volleyball team based in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. It plays in A1 Greek Volleyball League and in CEV Champions League. Founded in the 1920s, it evolved in one of the most successful departments of G.S...
(2004–2005) VC Zenit Kazan (2008–2011)
Individuals
- 2010–11 CEV Champions League "Best Setter"
- 2008 FIVB World League "Best Setter"
- 2008 FIVB World League "Most Valuable Player"
- 2007 NORCECA Championship "Best Setter"
- 2007 NORCECA Championship "Most Valuable Player"
- Inducted into IPFW Athletics Hall of Fame (2006, the inaugural class)
- 2004–05 CEV Champions League "Best Setter"
- 2003 NORCECA Championship "Best Setter"
- 1999 FIVB World Cup "Best Setter"
Clubs
- 2010–11 CEV Champions LeagueMen's CEV Champions League 2010–11The CEV Champions League was the highest level of European club volleyball in the 2010–11 season and was the 52nd edition.-Teams of the 2010–2011 competition:The number of participants on the basis of ranking list for European Cup Competitions:...
– Runner-up, with Zenit Kazan - 2004–05 CEV Champions League – Runner-up, with Iraklis ThessalonikiIraklis VCIraklis Thessaloniki Volleyball Club is a volleyball team based in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. It plays in A1 Greek Volleyball League and in CEV Champions League. Founded in the 1920s, it evolved in one of the most successful departments of G.S...