Ex-USC men’s volleyball standout nominated for U.S. Olympic team


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Former USC men’s volleyball player Donald Suxho has been nominated for the U.S. Olympic men’s volleyball team, USA Volleyball announced Thursday.

A native of Albania before moving to the United States in 1996, Suxho, a setter, played for the U.S. during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where the men finished fourth. He did not, however, compete in the 2008 games in Beijing.

“It’s a good group of veterans with Olympic experience and first-time Olympians who have been an integral part of our team.” U.S. coach Alan Knipe said in a statement. “The staff put a lot of time into this decision and it was a long and challenging process.”

Suxho, who is among 12 nominees awaiting approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee, played for the Trojans from 1997 through 2000. As a senior, he was awarded with American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Year and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year honors.

The U.S. men’s volleyball team’s first game in the London Olympics is scheduled for July 29 against Serbia.