Washington volleyball coach thrilled that Courtney Thompson and
Tama Miyashiro are on the roster for London
“It’s a great, great day.”
That was Washington coach Jim
McLaughlin’s first reaction when he learned that two of his former players
had been named to the 12-member USA
Olympic roster for the 2012 London Olympics.
“I’m just fired up,” he said.
University of Washington head coach Jim McLaughlin -Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann |
Back in 2003, McLaughlin placed
his offense in the hands of Courtney
Thompson, an undersized setter with an outsized personality. While other
snickered, Thompson led Washington to a string of success, capped by three
Final Four appearances and a national title.
But during the past decade,
American universities have produced dozens of quality setters, many of them
taller and—well, many of them who look the part. Even a few weeks ago, few gave
Thompson a chance to be named one of the USA’s two Olympic setters (Minnesota’s
Lindsey Berg is the other.)
“It’s a testament to who she is
as a person,” McLaughlin told Volleyblog Seattle. “You know, I think ability is
always part of the equation, but maybe the most important part is the
intangibles. And Courtney has that in place better than anybody. I mean, just
in terms of how hard she competes.”
“She competes, but she is a
great teammate. And she makes the people around her better. And it will be a
stronger unit because she’s on the team.”
Many also thought Tama Miyashiro was a longshot. But,
like Thompson, she made every chance of every opportunity as the USA won the World Grand Prix tournament Sunday.
“I’m so happy she’s going,” said
McLaughlin. “She’s laid back, but she’ll compete. She’ll make improvements. She’ll
do what you need to do.”
see also:
Two former UW All-Americans named to US Olympic team
see also:
Two former UW All-Americans named to US Olympic team
Plus Janine Sandell is representing the UK - three UW teammates in the same olympic game...Don't think any other program can make that claim. A great day for Jim and the UW program.
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