Lloy Ball facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lloy Ball
Personal information
Full name	Lloy James Ball
Born	(1972-02-17) February 17, 1972 (age 53) Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Hometown	Woodburn, Indiana, U.S.
Height	2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight	95 kg (209 lb)
College(s)	IPFW
Volleyball information
Position	Setter
Number	1
Career
Years Teams 1991–1995 1996–1999 2000–2004 2004–2006 2006–2011 2011–2012 Purdue Fort Wayne Toray Arrows Casa Modena Iraklis Thessaloniki Zenit Kazan Ural Ufa
National team
1993–2008  USA (398)
Medal record Men's volleyball Representing  United States Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing Team World Championship Bronze 1994 Greece Team NORCECA Championship Gold 2007 Anaheim World League Gold 2008 Rio de Janeiro Pan American Games Silver 1995 Mar del Plata Team

Lloy James Ball (born February 17, 1972) is a famous American former volleyball player. He was a key member of the U.S. national team from 1993 to 2008. Lloy Ball is a four-time Olympian. He won a gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Games. He also earned gold medals at the 2007 NORCECA Championship and the 2008 World League. Ball won a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 1994 FIVB World Championship. In 2015, he was honored by being added to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Sports

Lloy Ball grew up in Woodburn, Indiana. He went to Woodlan High School there. In Indiana, boys' volleyball was not a school sport. So, Lloy only played volleyball during the summer. He made his first big step in volleyball at age 15. He was chosen for the 1987 Olympic Festival.

Lloy Ball also played basketball in high school. As a junior, his team lost in the sectional finals. This tough loss pushed him to work even harder for future success. He was even recruited by Bob Knight to play basketball at Indiana University.

College Volleyball Career

Lloy Ball attended Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) from 1991 to 1995. He played volleyball for the college team, coached by his father, Arnie Ball.

Freshman and Sophomore Years

In his first year, Lloy was named Volleyball Magazine National Freshman of the Year. He made 1,421 assists, 171 digs, 113 blocks, and 164 kills. In his second year, he was named a second-team All-American. He also set a new school record with 2,047 assists in one season.

Junior and Senior Years

During his junior year, he was again a second-team All-American. He was also named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Player of the Year. He set a personal best with 106 assists in one game against Ball State. He was among the top 20 players in the country for hitting percentage and aces. In 1994, he became a first-team All-American and won MIVA Player of the Year again. He led IPFW to the semifinals of the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship. However, he broke his hand before the match.

Hall of Fame Recognition

In 2007, Lloy Ball was inducted into the IPFW Athletics Hall of Fame. His father was also part of this first group of honorees. The school's athletic program is now part of Purdue University Fort Wayne. The Hall of Fame is now known as the Purdue Fort Wayne Athletics Hall of Fame.

National Team Achievements

International Competitions

Lloy Ball played in the World University Games in 1991 (winning silver) and 1993. He also helped the national team win a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games. He joined the U.S. national team in May 1994 after his great college career.

Ball played for the U.S. men's volleyball team at the 2007 FIVB Men's World Cup. The team finished in fourth place. At the 2008 FIVB World League, Ball led the U.S. men to their first World League title. They beat Serbia in the final match. Lloy Ball was named the "Best Setter" and the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Olympic Games Appearances

Lloy Ball made his Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Team USA finished tied for ninth place. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Ball was a starter. However, the U.S. team did not win a match and finished tied for 11th place.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Ball led Team USA to the semifinals. They lost to Brazil, who went on to win the gold. The U.S. played for the bronze medal but lost to Russia. They finished in fourth place. Even without a medal, this was the best Olympic finish for the men's team since 1992.

Olympic Gold Medal Victory

When he was chosen for the 2008 Olympic team, Lloy Ball became the first male volleyball player from the United States to compete in four Olympics. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ball led Team USA past Russia in a thrilling five-set semifinal. Then, he led the team to a gold medal by defeating top-ranked Brazil in four sets. The U.S. team had an amazing tournament, winning every single match with an 8–0 record.

Professional Volleyball Career

Lloy Ball also had a successful professional career playing for clubs around the world.

Playing in Europe

With the professional club Iraklis Thessaloniki in Greece, he won two silver medals. These were in the 2004–05 and 2005–06 CEV Champions League. In the 2004–05 season, he was also named "Best Setter."

Later, with the Russian club VC Zenit Kazan, he won a gold medal at the 2007–08 CEV Champions League. He also earned a third silver medal in the 2010–11 CEV Champions League. During that season, he received his second "Best Setter" award.

Volleyball League of America

In 2019, Lloy Ball helped start a new professional volleyball league in the United States. It is called the Volleyball League of America (VLA).

Personal Life

When Lloy Ball is not playing volleyball, he runs "Team Pineapple." This is a volleyball clinic that also features his father, Arnie Ball. Lloy Ball lives in Angola, Indiana, with his wife, son, and daughter.

Awards and Honors

Individual Awards

• 2015 International Volleyball Hall of Fame
• 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 (2007, the inaugural class)
• 2004–05 CEV Champions League "Best Setter"
• 2003 NORCECA Championship "Best Setter"
• 1999 FIVB World Cup "Best Setter"

See also

In Spanish: Lloy Ball para niños