Tim Hovland | 2020 Thomas Haine All-Time Great Male Player

Tim Hovland was a three-sport high school star in California and moved on to be among the best in the world in both indoor and beach volleyball.

After a junior volleyball career on both the hardwood and sand, Tim matriculated to the University of Southern California where he held an outstanding four-year career. He was a three-time all-American from 1979 to 1981. He sparked the Trojans to three consecutive NCAA championship matches and was all-tournament each year. USC won the 1980 NCAA crown and was runner-up in 1979 and 1981. He was honored with induction into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

While at USC, Tim became a force on the national scene. He was selected USA Volleyball All-America first-team six times from 1979 to 1984, including MVP in 1983, in leading Nautilus Pacific to four USA Volleyball Open National Championships titles during that span.

Tim mixed his playing time at USC with competing for the U.S. Men’s National Team. He helped the U.S. win the Canadian Cup by defeating Cuba in 1981 and was named MVP. Tim sparked Team USA to the silver medal at the 1981 NORCECA Championship. He spent eight years competing in the Italian Serie A1 pro league. Tim led Kappa Turin to the league title and MVP in 1984, becoming one of two Americans to accomplish the double feat.

While not playing in Italy during the winter months, Tim returned to his roots playing beach volleyball during the summers. He won 46 titles on the AVP Tour and over $1 million. Tim teamed with Mike Dodd to win 18 titles in 1988-89 alone and reached the podium in 39 of 48 tournaments. Overall, he won 60 titles including five consecutive Manhattan Beach Opens, four Hermosa Beach Opens and four World Championships. He was inducted into the California Beach Volleyball Association Hall of Fame in 2000.

In 2000, Tim was selected to Volleyball Magazine’s All-Century first team.