2-Time All-American Setter, Brian Thornton.
Original story:
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/irvine/sports/article_1690636.php
BY TIM BURT
Irvine World News
Fans who followed UC Irvine's men's volleyball team in its national title quest from a distance had a chance to congratulate the national champions in person Wednesday afternoon during a welcome home party.
About 350 showed up near the administration building to congratulate UCI, which defeated IPFW in four games in the NCAA title match Saturday at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday.
It marked the first national title for the school in men's volleyball and the first since 1989, when the men's water polo team was No. 1.
"It's not necessarily what they did, but how they did it," said Athletic Director Bob Chichester.
The UCI pep band played the school's fight song as each of the players, coaches and supporters came out of a bus.
The enthusiastic crowd, which included Chancellor Michael Drake, gave the team a standing ovation.
Drake joked that is was such a hot day, he would be more comfortable if he took us jacket off. So Drake did and put a T-shirt on which proclaimed the Anteaters national champions.
Drake praised the unselfish attitude of the players, including tournament MVP Matt Webber who said after accepting the award that he received it largely because of the contributions of his teammates.
The players, who are expected to get championship rings at a later date, seemed appreciative of the ceremony.
"I didn't expect so many people to show up, so when the bus turned around the corner and I saw how many people were there waiting for us, it just blew me away," said senior middle blocker David Smith, who a first team All-American.
"To realize the impact we've had on the campus is just amazing."
Smith said the UCI students who attended the home matches played a big part in the team's success.
"It's so much fun to play when you have all the students there and the whole community behind you," he said.
The UCI players also benefited by their experience last year in the national tournament.
"Having been there before and having had to fight from behind, we felt confident in our team's ability as long as we stayed together to be able to take down any one we came up against," Smith said.
During the ceremony, setter Brian Thornton thanked members of the administration and the school's students, who showed up in big numbers for home matches this season.
"It's wonderful for our guys and it's wonderful for the university," said UCI Coach John Speraw.
Speraw credited seniors Jayson Jablonksy, Webber, Thornton and Smith for their leadership.
"In their four years here, they brought this program up from nothing to the top," he said.
Speraw said there were a number of reasons for the Anteaters' success.
"It was really about our team chemistry and our ability to work well together, and our total focus and dedication to winning."
The title has brought plenty of attention to the program, which appears to have a bright future.
"We graduate four All-Americans, so I don't know how it looks for next year," said Speraw. "We've recruited well and we have some great guys in the program already. So, I'm optimistic that we'll continue to play well."
"For a long time, I've been trying to sell a vision and now that vision is a reality and now that makes it even a more viable opportunity for top recruits."
Speraw has spent a lot of time receiving congratulatory phone calls and emails.
"It's been a wonderful experience," Speraw said. "It's going to take me a week to get to all those e-mails I've been receiving."
This week, he plans to get back to business planning for the 2008 season.
UCI will host the national championships at the Bren Events Center next spring.
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