Tuesday, 16 Jul 2024

Men’s Update: Five Things About David Smith

David Smith, the middle blocker for the French team Tours, is currently competing in the league semifinals. As an Olympian who participated in the 2012 Games and helped the U.S. Men’s National Team in the FIVB World Cup, Smith is aiming to qualify for his second Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Apart from his volleyball achievements and his well-known hearing loss, there are five fascinating facts about David Smith that you might not be aware of:

  1. Despite not being heavily recruited by colleges, Smith had a successful high school career and almost walked on at UC Santa Barbara. However, UC Irvine Head Coach John Speraw showed interest at the last moment and changed Smith’s path.
  2. Smith played for the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team from 2004-2005.
  3. In 2007, Smith played a vital role in helping UC Irvine secure its first NCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship.
  4. Smith’s wife, Kelli, was also a standout athlete at UC Irvine, excelling in distance running. She continues to compete and recently won a marathon in France where the prize was her weight in wine.
  5. David and Kelli have a son named Cohen who was born in 2012.

Now, let’s take a look at the ongoing league semifinals between David Smith’s team, Tours, and Paris. Tours won the first match, but Paris bounced back to tie the series at 1-1. The deciding match is scheduled for April 30 in Tours.

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In Greece, David Lee, Jayson Jablonsky, and PAOK clinched the Greek league championship with a 3-1 victory over Cody Caldwell and AO Foinikas Syrou. PAOK won the final match and secured the title.

In Italy, Aaron Russell, Sam Holt, and Sir Safety Conad Perugia advanced to the league finals after defeating Micah Christenson, Reid Priddy, and Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova in the semifinals. Perugia won the fourth match and will face DHL Modena in the best-of-five final starting on May 1.

Moving on to Germany, Erik Shoji, Paul Lotman, and the Berlin Recycling Volleys have a 2-0 lead in the league final series against Friedrichshafen. The next match is scheduled for May 1 in Berlin.

Unfortunately, the U.S. players in Poland had a disappointing end to their season as both teams lost in the league semifinals. Asseco Resovia Rzeszów, with Thomas Jaeschke and Russell Holmes, fell 3-0 to Zaksa Kędzierzyn-Koźle. Meanwhile, Murphy Troy and Lotos Trefl Gdańsk were defeated by PGE Skra Bełchatów.

Finally, in Turkey, Istanbul BBSK, featuring Will Price, finished second in the league finals, while Kawika Shoji and Arkas Spor placed third. Istanbul BBSK emerged victorious in the final match between the two teams.

In summary, David Smith’s journey in the league semifinals, along with the accomplishments of other American volleyball players in various leagues around the world, highlights the global impact and talent of these athletes. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting matches in the world of men’s volleyball!

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FAQs

Q: What team does David Smith play for?
A: David Smith currently plays for the French team Tours.

Q: Has David Smith participated in the Olympics before?
A: Yes, David Smith represented the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2012 Olympics and is hoping to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Q: Is David Smith known for anything besides his volleyball career?
A: Yes, David Smith lives with severe hearing loss and relies on hearing aids and lip reading.

Summary

In this article, we explored the journey of David Smith, a prominent middle blocker, as he competes in the league semifinals with his team, Tours. We also discovered five interesting facts about David Smith that may surprise you. Additionally, we provided updates on other American players competing in various leagues worldwide.

As the volleyball season progresses, keep an eye out for thrilling matches and noteworthy performances from these talented athletes. Stay connected with Alpinetgheep.com for the latest updates and exciting developments in men’s volleyball.

Visit Alpinetgheep.com for more information and to stay up to date with the latest news and updates in the world of men’s volleyball.