UCI OLYMPIC CENTRAL

IRVINE, Calif. – In just a week, UC Irvine will have four former All-Americans to follow when the Paris Olympic Games begin on July 27.

Men's volleyball player David Smith ('08) will be making his fourth Olympic appearance with the United States indoor men's volleyball team. Smith is looking for another medal after bringing home bronze in Rio in 2016. Smith, who is one of four U.S. men's indoor players to make four Olympic Games all-time, is also one of four Anteaters to make four appearances, joining men's water polo player Ryan Bailey, sailor Lanee Butler-Beashel and diver Greg Louganis.

Men's volleyball player Kevin Tillie ('13) is making his third Olympic appearance with the host country, France. He helped France win gold in men's volleyball at the 2020 Tokyo Games while being coached by his father, Laurent. He received the Outstanding Student-Athlete award at the 2013 Lauds & Laurels gala. Tillie is one of 19 former Anteaters who have won medals and one of four that have captured gold.

Tara Prentice ('22) is competing in her first Olympic Games and becomes the first Anteater to compete in the sport of women's water polo. Prentice finished her UCI career as the all-time leading scorer in both program and Big West history with 242 goals. The 2022 Big West Player of the Year earned All-American status all four years and is one of three Anteaters to attain that feat.

Thomas Hodges ('17) is also a first time Olympian, competing in beach volleyball and the first UCI Olympian to represent Australia. Hodges was a member of the UCI's 2015 men's volleyball team that was a 28-5 and made an NCAA appearance.

The opening ceremony kicks off the Olympic Games on July 26 with both Smith and Prentice beginning competition on the 27^th.

Other UCI affiliates that will be in Paris include former UCI coaches John Speraw, Kaleigh Gilchrist and Jordan Cheng as well as former student-athletes Dave Durden and Tim Hinchey. Speraw was the head coach of the men's volleyball team from 2003-2012 and will coach Smith as the United States indoor men's head coach. Gilchrist will be a teammate of Prentice on the United States women's water polo team after serving as an UCI assistant coach in 2019. Cheng, who was an Anteater men's volleyball assistant, coaches the U.S. beach duo of Kelly Cheng (his wife) and Sara Hughes. Hughes is the sister of Connor Hughes ('13) who was named the MVP of the 2013 NCAA Championship and a teammate of Tillie. Durden will serve as an assistant coach of the United States, while Hinchey is the President and CEO of USA Swimming. Durden served as the U.S. head coach in Tokyo and was also an assistant in Rio.

UC Irvine will also have a representative in the Paralympics Aug. 28-Sept.8. Former UC Irvine student, Bryan Larsen ('12) will compete in cycling for Team USA.

At least four UCI student-athletes have competed in each of the last 13 Summer Olympic Games.

Prentice was coached by UCI Director of Water Polo Dan Klatt who was an Olympian himself in 2004 and was an assistant coach for the last three U.S. women's water polo teams, all gold medal winning squads. Klatt guided the UCI men's water polo team to both Big West regular season and Big West Championship titles in 2023.