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Irvine, Calif. - UCIrvineSports.com spoke to head coach John Speraw about serving as an assistant coach with the men's volleyball team in the 2008 Olympic Games. Speraw has served as UCI's head men's volleyball coach for the past six seasons, guiding the Anteaters to a national championship in 2007.
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Speraw: "Well I was looking forward to the opening ceremonies, but was told last week that the USOC made a decision to not let any of the assistant coaches walk in the opening ceremonies which is extremely disappointing. Other than that, I'm most looking forward to watching how we compete under pressure. The Olympic tournament is exceptionally difficult and there are six or seven teams that can medal. I'm interested to see how we compete under the pressure against Bulgaria and Italy and playing China at home. I think the thing I'm most looking forward to is watching great volleyball."
UCIrvineSports.com: How did winning the first American FIVB World League title prepare the team for Beijing?
Speraw: "I think we are more prepared by participating in the World League. I think you need to play under pressure. That is something you can't simulate by staying at home and training. I think some teams felt like they wanted to stay home and be rested and injury free. We decided we wanted to be experienced and I think that was the right decision as we were able to play Brazil in front of 12,000 people and beat them then we were able to play a great Serbian team in the finals and I think the more you can play in that situation the better. We played terrible in that first round against Serbia and lost and we took a lot of things from that match and learned from them and grew and improved throughout the tournament. I think you definitely want that learning experience in the World League rather than the Olympics."
UCIrvineSports.com: What does the team need to do to win a medal?
Speraw: "We have always had to rely on a full team effort. Some teams have one exceptional player or two that they can rely on and while we have a number of great players I don't think we can look at one that is a standout and we will have to continue to play great team volleyball. One of our strengths, that I think might be the best in the world right now, is our ball control. Our outside hitters and our libero do a great job passing the ball. If we can pass the ball then we can distribute the ball evenly and have some success."
UCIrvineSports.com: Those sound like many of the things you talk about when you talk about your UCI team?
Speraw: "They kind of remind me a little of some of our teams. A good setter with good even distribution and good ball control was a formula for our 2007 title and hopefully we can do that again here soon."
UCIrvineSports.com: If you get a chance to go watch other competitions what do you want to see?
Speraw: "From what I've been told there won't be any time for that. Volleyball begins on the 10th and runs until the closing ceremonies. I am looking forward to being in the Olympic Village though and meeting different athletes, especially some of the American ones. At the Olympics you are in an environment that everybody knows this is the best volleyball anywhere. It will be great to be in a gym where everyone has the biggest thing on the line. I think that will be really fun."
UCIrvineSports.com: Do you feel like you had to make any sacrifices becoming a national team coach and was it worth it?
Speraw: "I think I learned a lot, but there have definitely been some aspects that have been a tour of duty for me. I really haven't had time off for two years and there have been moments it has been a real grind. I don't think people really appreciate how long you spend on the road. I think this summer I've been in my own bed maybe seven nights. I don't talk to my family as much and I have friends I haven't spoken to in awhile, but nothing for me is a greater honor than representing the United States. For any athlete or coach to represent the USA and to play in the Olympic games is the pinnacle. I think this is really the last arena that I have been able to coach in so for sure I'm excited to coach in this new territory and be learning more."
UCIrvineSports.com: Can you believe that you are actually going to be in the Olympics?
Speraw: "I can't believe what an opportunity this is. I think people will be really tuned in to what American volleyball is all about and it is a great platform for us to do something great for the sport. It's the one time every four years that volleyball is on in every home across America and I hope we can do well and represent our sport well and I'm very excited about that opportunity."
