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 for many years, from 1993 to 2008. Lloy Ball is known for competing in four Olympic Games. He won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

He also earned gold medals at the 2007 NORCECA Championship and the 2008 World League. He won a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 1994 FIVB World Championship. In 2015, Lloy Ball 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 at the time. So, Lloy only played volleyball competitively during the summer.

He first showed his amazing talent at age 15. He was chosen for the 1987 Olympic Festival, which was a big deal. Lloy was also a talented basketball player. He was even recruited by famous coach 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. In his first year, he was named Volleyball Magazine National Freshman of the Year. He made 1,421 assists, which is like setting up his teammates for points.

In his second year, he was named a second-team All-American. This means he was one of the best players in the country. He also broke the school record for assists in a single season with 2,047. In his third year, he was again a second-team All-American. He was also named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Player of the Year.

Lloy led IPFW to the semifinals of the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship in 1994. Sadly, he broke his hand right before the big match. In 2006, Lloy Ball was inducted into the IPFW Athletics Hall of Fame. His father, Arnie Ball, was also part of this first group of honorees.

Playing for the National Team

International Competitions

Lloy Ball joined the U.S. national team in May 1994. He played in the 1991 and 1993 World University Games, winning a silver medal in 1991. He also helped the national team win a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games.

In 2007, Lloy played in the 2007 FIVB Men's World Cup, where the U.S. team finished fourth. In 2008, he led the U.S. men's team to their first-ever 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 Journey

Lloy Ball played in his first Olympic Games at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The U.S. team finished in ninth place. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the team had a tough tournament and finished 11th.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Lloy led Team USA to the semifinals. They lost to Brazil, who went on to win the gold. The U.S. then lost to Russia in the bronze medal match, finishing fourth. Even without a medal, it was the best Olympic finish for the men's team since 1992.

In 2008, Lloy Ball made history by becoming the first male volleyball player from the United States to compete in four Olympics. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he led Team USA to an amazing gold medal. They beat Russia in a close semifinal match. Then, they defeated the top-ranked Brazilians in the final. The U.S. team went undefeated in the tournament, winning all eight of their matches!

Professional Volleyball Career

Lloy Ball also had a very successful professional career playing for clubs around the world. With the club Iraklis Thessaloniki in Greece, he won two silver medals in the 2004–05 and 2005–06 CEV Champions League. He was also named "Best Setter" in 2004–05.

Later, with the Russian club VC Zenit Kazan, he won a gold medal in the 2007–08 CEV Champions League. He also won another silver medal in the 2010–11 CEV Champions League and received his second "Best Setter" award. In 2019, Lloy Ball helped start a new professional volleyball league in the United States called the Volleyball League of America (VLA).

Personal Life

When Lloy Ball is not playing volleyball, he runs a volleyball clinic called Team Pineapple. His father, Arnie Ball, also helps with the clinic. Lloy Ball lives in Angola, Indiana, with his wife, son, and daughter.

Awards and Honors

Lloy Ball has received many awards for his incredible volleyball skills:

• 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)
• 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