Dec. 8, 2005

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The pools and schedules for next year’s FIVB Volleyball World Championships in Japan were announced at the drawing of lots ceremony in Tokyo on Nov. 29. The USA Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams will both compete in the prestigious event.

The USA Women, who captured the silver medal at the 2002 World Championships in Germany with an amazing 10-1 record, will be a member of Pool C along with Brazil, Cameroon, Kazakhstan, Netherlands and Puerto Rico.

The Americans open the tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 31 against Kazakhstan, followed by a match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, Nov. 1. After a rest day on Thursday, Nov. 2, Team USA resumes pool play against Cameroon on Friday, Nov. 3. The United States will then have a showdown with arguably the world’s best team, Brazil, on Saturday, Nov. 4, before finishing pool play the next day against NORCECA rival Puerto Rico.

Pool A for the women features Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica, Japan, Kenya, Korea and Poland, while Pool B includes Azerbaijan, 2004 Olympic gold medalist China, Dominican Republic, Germany, Mexico and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Russia. Pool D boasts 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Cuba, defending world champion Italy, Egypt, Peru, Serbia and Montenegro and Turkey.

On the men’s side, Team USA is a member of Pool C along with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Iran, 2004 Olympic silver medalist Italy and Venezuela. The Americans, the only team to beat eventual gold medalist Brazil at the last World Championship in Argentina, finished tied for ninth place in 2002.

The USA Men begin play on Friday, Nov. 17 against Venezuela, followed by a match against Bulgaria on Saturday, Nov. 18. The team then takes on the Czech Republic on Sunday, Nov. 19 before all teams enjoy a rest day on Monday, Nov. 20. Team USA resumes action against Italy on Tuesday, Nov. 21 before concluding pool play the next day against Iran.

Pool A for the men includes Argentina, China, Egypt, Japan, Poland and Puerto Rico, while Pool B is made up of Australia, defending world and Olympic champion Brazil, Cuba, France, Germany and Greece. Pool D features Canada, Kazakhstan, Korea, 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Russia, Serbia and Montenegro and Tunisia.

The USA Women and USA Men both qualified for the 2006 event by winning their respective FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournaments in Puerto Rico in August.

In addition to the 2002 silver medal, the USA Women also earned another silver medal (1966) and two bronze medals (1982 and 1990) in past world championships. The USA Men won the world championship in 1986 and finished third in 1994 to post their best finishes.

2006 FIVB Volleyball World Championships

USA Women Schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 31

Kazakhstan vs. USA

Wednesday, Nov. 1

Netherlands vs. USA

Friday, Nov. 3

Cameroon vs. USA

Saturday, Nov. 4

Brazil vs. USA

Sunday, Nov.5

Puerto Rico vs. USA

USA Men Schedule

Friday, Nov. 17

Venezuela vs. USA

Saturday, Nov. 18

Bulgaria vs. USA

Sunday, Nov. 19

Czech Republic vs. USA

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Italy vs. USA

Wednesday, Nov. 22

Iran vs. USA