Who is your favorite Volleyball player that not many people know?

Question

We had some frustration here recently on the lack of quality discussion and experience of Volleyball players.

I'm always interested in hearing about new players or little known players around the world. I also think a question like this could give young people some more knowledge. So...

Besides Karch Kiraly and Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, who are your favorite volleyball players:

You can give some great well-known up and coming HS or college players, as well as the pros either in beach or in FIVB or international pro leagues.

I'll give the best answer to the person who educates me the most. :)

Answer 1

franki montoya

Answer 2

kerri walsh

Answer 3

Alix Clineman

Answer 4

Dan, thanks for the kind words.

I will list Natalie Williams as one of my favorite players.  For different reasons than most people choose favorite players.  She played for UCLA in basketball and volleyball.  She was a four year letter winner in both sports and was an All American in both sports in the same year.  She played in the WNBA.  

She played for a little while with the USA women's volleyball team.  She played in a tour match in Houston.  I was helping promote the match.  I had a friend that was a junior high player at the time.  Because I was helping promote the match, I got some passes to a team luncheon.  I took my friend.  Her idol was Natalie.  We walked up to Natalie and asked for her autograph.  Instead of the usual sign and leave, she signed the autograph.  And then she took my friend to meet all of the other players and the coaches and had them sign the autograph book as well.  She went way out of the way to make a young fan happy.  Natalie treated my friend like she was her sister and not a total stranger.  My friends parents told me that she was talking about Natalie for months after that.  She started working harder on her volleyball and basketball skills.  She went on to play college basketball and plays adult USAV volleyball still.  

I view Karch Kiraly the opposite way for the opposite reason.  I took another junior high aged friend that worshipped him to see a USA men's match in Houston.  I got her a floor pass.  She just loved it.  And then Karch got mad a call by the referees.  He lost it.  He went on a rampage.  He screamed at the referees and he slammed the pads surrounding the pole.  He ran around the court and continued screaming at the referees.  My friend was crushed.  Her idol was an obnoxious jerk.  She did not play volleyball after that season.  (I am not saying that the incident caused her to quit, but it may have been a factor.)

Answer 5

Jim Polster - US mens National Team

Answer 6

alex klineman ! :]

Answer 7

I would have to say Gordon Morrison, hands down.

Other players (including KK and MM) inspired me with their on-court performance, but also showed me that there would be a limit much lower than the sky. Gordon is supporting the community with his knowledge and love, and is showing everyone that you can also do it at the same level that he does it.

Answer 8

I like Kerri walsh and misty may the most

But the best rookie, i think, is april ross because she got the rookie award and stuff like that