Sean Rooney (volleyball)

Sean Michael Rooney (born November 13, 1982) is an American former volleyball player who played on the United States national team. Rooney was a gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and FIVB World League (2008, 2014). He also competed in the 2012 Olympics in London.[1]

Sean Rooney
Personal information
Full nameSean Michael Rooney
NationalityAmerican
Born (1982-11-13) November 13, 1982
Wheaton, Illinois, United States
Height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Weight220 lb (100 kg)
Spike139 in (354 cm)
Block132 in (336 cm)
College / UniversityPepperdine University
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Number2 (national team)
National team
2007–2014 United States
Medal record
Men's volleyball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing Team
World League
Gold medal – first place 2008 Rio Team
Gold medal – first place 2014 Florence Team
Silver medal – second place 2012 Sofia Team
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Katowice Team
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2007 Rio Team
Last updated: December 28, 2014

Early life

Rooney was born in Wheaton, Illinois. He attended Wheaton Warrenville South High School and was named the 2001 Illinois State Co-Player of the Year (Greg Pochopien – Carl Sandburg High School), and led the team to the state championship.[2] In addition to volleyball, he also played golf and basketball.

College

Rooney attended Pepperdine in Malibu, California, where he graduated in 2005 with a degree in business administration.

During his NCAA career, he was a four-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American. By the end of his career, he ranked second nationally among NCAA Division I-II players in points per game, as he had 6.35 in 2005. He was named the 2005 Division I-II National Player of the Year.[3]

In 2005, he led Pepperdine to the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship, as they defeated UCLA on the Bruins' home floor in five sets.[4] It was the first time in 35 years UCLA lost at home during the NCAA tournament.[4] Rooney was named the Most Valuable Player of the Final Four.[4]

Professional

During the winters of 2006 and 2007, Rooney played for the Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in the South Korean League, where he garnered Most Valuable Player awards after leading the team to two consecutive Korean League titles.[2]

In the 2007–08 season, he played for Dinamo-Yantar in Kaliningrad, Russia.[2]

In the 2008–09 season, Rooney played with Fakel Novy Urengoy volleyball club based in Russia.

AVP

Rooney briefly joined the AVP beach volleyball tour, where he played in 2005 and 2006. His highest placing was fifth, which he achieved three times.[5]

National team

International

In 2008, Rooney was named "best spiker" of the NORCECA Continental Olympic Qualifying tournament on January 6–11 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He finished the tournament with 46 points on 43 kills and three blocks. The U.S. men won the tournament and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games.

In 2007, Rooney was named the Most Valuable Player of the U.S. men's match against Egypt at the FIVB World Cup. Rooney scored 18 points on 15 kills, two blocks and one ace as the United States won in straight sets.

Olympics

Rooney made his Olympic debut at the 2008 Summer Olympics, helping Team USA to a gold medal. He also was on the 2012 Olympic team that reached the quarterfinals.

References
  1. "Sean Rooney". Olympedia. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  2. Considine, Mike. Rooney close to realizing long-held Olympic dream Archived July 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine My Suburban Life (June 26, 2008). Retrieved on August 18, 2008.
  3. Senior Sean Rooney named AVCA National Player of the Year Pepperdine Athletic Department (May 4, 2005). Retrieved on August 18, 2008.
  4. "Volleyball" (PDF). NCAA. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  5. "Sean Rooney". Beach Volleyball Database. Retrieved September 8, 2023.

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