PHOTO GALLERY

PARIS, France – The 2024 Paris Olympic Games were a success as former UC Irvine men's volleyball players Kevin Tillie and David Smith won gold and bronze, respectively.

UCI was one of 49 schools to win two or more medals in Paris and one of only two (Loyola Chicago) Division I schools that doesn't sponsor football in that group. The Big West was ranked the sixth best conference in total medals with the Anteaters the only Big West school to win gold.

Tillie and Team France won their second consecutive gold medal defeating Poland, the No. 1 ranked team in the world, 3-0 powered by an electric home crowd. In the semifinal, Tillie was clutch coming off the bench with a perfect pass that led to a kill in the fifth set in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Italy. Tillie becomes just the second UC Irvine student to win two gold medals joining Greg Louganis, who earned four career golds.

Smith and the United States lost a heartbreaking five-set semifinal to Poland before capturing the bronze medal with a sweep of Italy. It is the second bronze medal for Smith who also earned one in Rio in 2016.

In women's water polo, Tara Prentice and the United States dropped a heartbreaking loss in a penalty shootout (5-6) versus Australia in the semifinals then were denied a bronze medal when the Netherlands scored with just one second left on the clock in an 11-10 loss.

Current men's volleyball player and 2024 AVCA Player of the Year, Hilir Henno also made an appearance at the Games. Henno was the featured guest to strike the brigadier and launch the quarterfinal match between France and Germany. Striking the brigadier, a long stick, three times before every event was a new Olympic protocol inspired by the French theater.

UC Irvine student-athletes have claimed eight gold medals, 16 silver and three bronze all-time.

Overall at the 2024 Paris Olympics, 272 former, current and incoming NCAA student-athletes combined to earn 329 medals for 26 countries. The medalists competed in 21 Olympic sports and represented 90 schools and 22 conferences.

FINAL RESULTS

Men's Indoor Volleyball
Kevin Tillie, France – Gold
David Smith, USA – Bronze

Women's Water Polo
Tara Prentice – Fourth

Men's Beach Volleyball
Thomas Hodges – Lucky Loser Round

Other UCI affiliates
John Speraw (former UCI head coach), USA Men's Indoor Volleyball, Head Coach  – Bronze
Kaleigh Gilchrist (former UCI assistant coach), Women's Water Polo – Fourth
Jordan Cheng (former assistant coach), Women's Beach Volleyball (Hughes/Cheng) Coach - Quarterfinals
Dave Durden (former UCI Student-athlete) USA Swimming Assistant coach – 28 total medals
Tim Hinchey (former UCI student-athlete) President and CEO of USA Swimming – 28 total medals