Taylor Sander led the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 3-1 victory (31-29, 21-25, 25-10, 25-23) against top-ranked Brazil last Sunday in Florence, Italy, earning the U.S. a second World League title.
The former BYU volleyball outside hitter has proven his relevance on the international level since leaving BYU this past May.
He also added to the victory by winning the tournament MVP, becoming only the second American to hold that title.
“If you had asked before World League started, we wouldn’t have predicted that he would win it,” USA Volleyball spokesperson B.J. Evans said. “But once we saw how he was playing, it was not a surprise.”
Sander scored 24 points during the championship game, including 22 kills. Along with earning MVP he also won the tournament’s “Best Spiker” honor.
Other former Cougars took part in the game, one including middle blocker and Olympian Russell Holmes and Assistant Coach Mike Wall.
Now that the World League tournament is over, Sander will play for an Italian serie A1 (top level) team, Blu Volley Verona.
