Dave Saunders (volleyball)

Dave Saunders
Personal information
Full nameDavid Patrick Saunders
BornOctober 19, 1960 (1960-10-19) (age 64)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
College / UniversityUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Number2
National team
1983–1988 United States
Medal record
Men's volleyball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles Team
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Team
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1986 France Team
FIVB World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1985 Japan
Goodwill Games
Silver medal – second place 1986 Moscow
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Indianapolis Team

David Patrick Saunders (born October 19, 1960) is an American former volleyball player and two-time Olympian. He was a member of the United States national volleyball team that won the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and was named one of the outstanding players of the tournament.[1][2] Four years later, when Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics, he once again won a gold medal.[2]

Saunders also helped the United States national team to gold medals at the 1985 FIVB World Cup,[3] 1986 FIVB World Championship, and 1987 Pan American Games.[2] He also won a silver medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games.[2]

College

Saunders played for the UCLA Bruins and won NCAA Championships in 1979, 1981, and 1982.[4] He was a first-team All-American in 1982.[4]

Saunders was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame in 2022.[4]

Awards

  • Three-time NCAA Champion — 1979, 1981, 1982
  • First-team All-American — 1982
  • Two-time Olympic gold medal — 1984, 1988
  • FIVB World Cup gold medal — 1985
  • Goodwill Games silver medal — 1986
  • FIVB World Championship gold medal — 1986
  • Pan American Games gold medal — 1987
  • UCLA Hall of Fame — 2022

See also

References

  1. ^ Moran, Malcolm (June 18, 1984). "U.S. Team Routs China in Volleyball". The New York Times. p. C8. Retrieved September 5, 2024. (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c d "Dave Saunders". Olympedia. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  3. ^ Krastev, Todor. "Men Volleyball V World Cup 1985 Japan - 22-01.12 Winner United States (1st)". Todor66.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Dave Saunders". UCLA Athletics. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.