Two ex-’Eaters on U.S. roster

Former UC Irvine men’s volleyball All-Americans David Smith and Dan McDonnell are among 19 players named to the United States national team’s preliminary World League roster.

Smith, who competed for Team USA in the 2012 Olympics in London, is a 6-foot-7 middle blocker who helped UCI win its first NCAA title in 2007.

McDonnell, hoping to earn a roster spot for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a 6-6 middle blocker who helped UCI capture the NCAA title in 2012.

Team USA and former UCI coach John Speraw coached both players as Anteaters.

The Americans will begin World League play Thursday and continue Friday and Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. They face Argentina on Thursday, Iran on Friday and the host Brazilians on Saturday.

Additional World League matches are set for June 24-26 in Italy and July 1-3 in Dallas.

Smith and McDonnell are among four middle blockers on the World League roster. Only 12 players will be chosen for the Olympic team.

The U.S. won the World League title in 2014 and finished third in 2015. The 2014 crown was only the second in World League competition, the first in 2008. Team USA was third in 2012 and third in 1992, 2007 and 2015.

— From staff reports