Volleyball: Ex-’Eaters bound for Rio

Former UC Irvine men’s volleyball All-Americans David Smith and Kevin Tillie will represent the United States and France, respectively, at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Smith, one of four veterans on the American squad, made the 12-man team that begins play in the 2016 Olympic Games on Aug. 7 against Canada.

The 6-foot-7 middle blocker, 31, who was part of the Anteaters’ first NCAA championship team in 2007, also competed for Team USA when it finished fifth in the London Olympics in 2012.

Smith helped the U.S. team win the FIVB World League title in 2015, and earn a silver medal in the World League in 2012.

Tillie, 26, who helped UCI claim back-to-back NCAA titles in 2012 and 2013, is a 6-7 outside hitter who will be competing in his first Olympics. France, returns to Olympic competition for the first time since 1996.

A two-time All-American for the ‘Eaters, Tillie will be coached by his father, Laurent Tillie, who played for France in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, and the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain.

The U.S. men’s Olympic team is coached by former UCI head man John Speraw, now at UCLA.

An assistant coach for the Americans is Matt Fuerbringer, an Estancia High product, who was an All-American at Stanford and later had a successful beach volleyball career.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports