PROVO -- USA Volleyball nominated middle-blocker and former BYU standout Ryan Millar to the USA Men's Olympic Volleyball Team for this summer's games in Athens, Greece.
This is not Millar's first chance to represent his country, having played on the USA National team since finishing his career at BYU. Despite his extensive experience, he recognizes what an opportunity it is to play for his country.
"It is definitely a great honor," Millar said. "I have played in a lot of matches for the USA but every time I put on the uniform, I realize what an honor and blessing it is."
Millar, a native of Palmdale, Calif., starred at BYU from 1996-1999, earning first team All-American status from 1997 to 1999. During his senior season he led the Cougars to a record of 30-1, a record that still stands. He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team as he helped the Cougars defeat Penn State and Long Beach State to claim their first national championship.
Millar had the most decorated careers of any BYU men's volleyball player. Along with his All-American awards, he was named MPSF and AVCA Freshman of the Year in 1996 and was MPSF Player of the Year in 1997. Along with the awards he holds BYU single season and career records in kills, kill attempts, block assists, and block solos. While Millar was a great player in college, USA Olympic team head coach Doug Beal feels he is even better now.
"He is a wonderful player," Beal said. "He has improved almost every year since he left BYU."
Beal added that much of Millar's improvement has come from playing on a very competitive professional team in Italy since 2000. He praised Millar's skills and athleticism.
"He is one of the quickest middle blockers in the world, and has an unusual hitting range," Beal said. "He will start for us in the middle."
Millar made his first appearance in the Olympics in the 2000 games in Sydney. That year many of the players struggled through injuries as the team failed to win a match.
"He has become a very key member of the team," Beal said. "We hope everyone will be healthy this year."
Millar feels that his experience in 2000 puts him in a position to be a leader and example for his teammates.
"I am much more mature as a person and a player than I was in 2000," Millar said. "With my experience I hope I can be a leader and help prepare the younger guys."
Beal, who guided the men to an Olympic gold medal in 1984, expects the 2004 team to be competitive and ready to play.
"We're going to show up for every match," he said. "We've got a good team with a mix of experienced players and players who are in the Olympics for the first time. Our players are eager to get out there."
Team USA, currently ranked sixth in the world, qualified for Athens by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in January. The team will be in a very tough pool with Australia, Brazil, Italy, the Netherlands, and Russia. Russia won the silver medal in the 2000 Olympics while Brazil and Italy are ranked first and second in the world, respectively. The top four teams from the pool will advance to the medal round.
"Our goal is to do as well as we can in pool play and be one of the teams that advances to the tournament," Beal said.
Former BYU men's volleyball head coach Carl McGown will serve as an assistant for the team. He has served as an assistant or consultant for almost every Olympic men's volleyball team.
"Karl is a wonderful coach, he has some very strong ideas about how the game should be played," Beal said. "He brings a wealth of experience to the team. With Carl and Ryan there is a very strong BYU connection on this team."
For the entire roster visit the USA Volleyball Web site at www.usavolleyball.org or by clicking here.