Anteaters Help USA Qualify For 2020 Olympics
August 12, 2019 | Men's Volleyball
IRVINE, Calif. – Former Anteater All-Americans David Smith and Brian Thornton helped the U.S. Men's National Team qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with a four set win over the Netherlands at the FIVB qualification tournament in Rotterdam.
Smith had 10 points on six kills, three aces and one block from the middle blocker position, while Thornton is serving as an assistant coach.
It is the 10th straight time the U.S. Men have qualified for the Olympic Games and 12th time overall. The U.S. Men have won three Olympic gold medals (1984, '88 and 2008) and two bronze (1992 and 2016).
Thornton and Smith became UCI's first two volleyball Olympians in 2012. Smith will be looking to be part of his third Olympic squad after also playing in 2016 when the U.S. brought home a bronze medal.
