ANAHEIM, CA - (May 7, 2012) - The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, based in Anaheim, opens international play tonight at the NORCECA Olympic qualification tournament at Cal State University Long Beach, and will seek to earn a spot at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Anaheim is the Official Host City for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams.

The U.S. Team, is ranked sixth in the world and second in NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation). The Olympic Qualifier, which runs May 7-12, will feature eight teams: The U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad & Tobago. The matches will be streamed live at www.usavlive.com.

The complete game schedule is listed below.

Seven of the 12 players on the team are Olympians: outside hitters Reid Priddy and Riley Salmon, middle blockers David Lee and Ryan Millar, opposite Clay Stanley, setter Donald Suxho, and libero Rich Lambourne. Head Coach Alan Knipe coached the CSULB 49ers men’s team before assuming his position with the U.S. team.

Since 2006 Anaheim has been identified as a United States city with international sports distinction and American pride experienced every four years through the phenomenon of the Olympic Games. The Men’s Team moved its training headquarters to Anaheim from Colorado Springs, Colo. in 2006, followed by the Women’s Team in 2009.

Join the City as we celebrate the teams on their quest for Olympic success. To receive updates and information specific to Anaheim and the U.S. National Volleyball Teams, and to learn of community events and local scrimmages open to the public, please join the City’s email notification list at www.anaheim.net/usav.

Tickets for the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier can be purchased by clicking here, by calling the box office at 562-985-4949, or at the CSULB Athletics box office window at the Walter Pyramid.

2012 NORCECA Men’s Olympic Games Qualification Tournament Schedule (All times PT)
Schedule subject to change depending on U.S. finishes

Pool Play
May 7
1 p.m. Canada vs. Dominican Republic
3 p.m. Mexico vs. Costa Rica
6 p.m. Cuba vs. Puerto Rico
8 p.m. USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago

May 8
1 p.m. Cuba vs. Dominican Republic
3 p.m. Mexico vs. Trinidad & Tobago
6 p.m. Canada vs. Puerto Rico
8 p.m. USA vs. Costa Rica

May 9
1 p.m. Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic
3 p.m. Costa Rica vs. Trinidad & Tobago
6 p.m. Cuba vs. Canada
8 p.m. USA vs. Mexico

Quarterfinals
May 10
6 p.m. 2nd-place B vs. 3rd-place A
8 p.m. 2nd-place A vs. 3rd-place B

Classification 5-8
May 11
1 p.m. 4th-place A vs. Quarterfinal Loser
3 p.m. 4th-place B vs. Quarterfinal Loser

Semifinals
May 11
6 p.m. 1st-place B vs. Quarterfinal Winner
8 p.m. 1st-place A vs. Quarterfinal Winner

Finals
May 12
1 p.m. Seventh-place match
3 p.m. Fifth-place match
6 p.m. Third-place match
8 p.m. Championship

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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