COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 12, 2018) – Looking for a last-minute gift? How about some of the best volleyball in the world?
International volleyball returns to Hoffman Estates, Ill., in 2019 as the Sears Centre Arena will host the world No. 2-ranked U.S. Men along with Canada, China and Japan on June 21-23 for FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
All-session tickets will go on sale Monday (12/17) at SearsCentre.com. Single-session tickets and group tickets will go on sale soon.
The VNL consists of 16 top men’s volleyball teams playing a round-robin format with each country hosting a weekend of matches over six weeks. Six teams will advance to the final round, which will be in the United States on July 10-14 at a site to be determined.
As host, the United States will qualify automatically for the final six.
The U.S. Men won the bronze medal at the 2018 VNL Final Round in France. The team went on to win the bronze medal at the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Italy.
A focus for the U.S. Men in 2019 will be evaluating players as the team prepares to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“I expect this season to be really competitive as our players look forward to 2020,” U.S. Head Coach John Speraw said.
“We always look forward to competing in the United States and the crowds at the Sears Centre make for a great atmosphere.”
Among the U.S. players expected to compete are 2018 Olympic medalists Matt Anderson, Micah Christenson, Max Holt, Aaron Russell, Taylor Sander, David Smith, and Erik and Kawika Shoji.
Middle blocker Jeff Jendryk, who is also expected to compete, grew up in nearby Wheaton, Ill., and played college volleyball at Loyola of Chicago.
Match Schedule
(All times CT)
Friday, June 21
5 p.m.: China vs. Canada
8 p.m.: USA vs. Japan
Saturday, June 22
2 p.m.: China vs. Japan
7:30 p.m.: USA vs. Canada
Sunday, June 23
Noon: Japan vs. Canada
4:30 p.m.: USA vs. China