Carson Clark has accomplished some great things on the volleyball court since graduating from Santa Barbara High in 2007.
The 6-foot-5 opposite hitter won a NCAA title with UC Irvine, was named first-team All-American and earned a gold medal for the U.S. at the Pan American Games.
Former SBHS star Carson Clark is on the U.S. roster for the FIVB World Championships in Italy.
His latest honor, however, might be the most impressive. Clark was named to the 14-man U.S. roster that will compete in the FIVB World Championships, which start this weekend in Italy.
He is the only current collegian player on the team, which includes several players from the 2008 gold medal-winning Olympic team.
“It’s not necessarily the team we would have chosen on paper to start the summer,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe said. “But that’s why you have training blocks and you get into the gym. Guys play themselves into position.”
Clark, who is entering his junior season at UC Irvine, is behind 2008 Olympic Most Valuable Player, Clay Stanley.
Clark is no stranger to international volleyball. He played with the U.S. A2 team that won the gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Another area player on the team is libero Alfee Reft of Oxnard. He’s been on the roster for the last two World League campaigns.
The U.S. men begin World Championship competition with the first round of pool play in Reggio Calabria, Italy, on Sept. 25 against Mexico at noon PT. On Sept. 26, they will play Venezuela and on Sept. 27, they take on Argentina. Their results in the first round will determine where the team goes next.
RJ AT SMCC: Former Santa Barbara and Carpinteria quarterback RJ Rosborough has been sharing starting quarterback duties at Santa Monica City College.
In his first three games, he’s completed 34 of 61 passes for 355 yards and one touchdown, with four interceptions. The Corsairs are off to 2-1 start.
BRIANA GETTING IT DONE: Santa Barbara grad Briana Lopez is tearing it up for the South Carolina State women’s soccer team.
The freshman striker leads the squad in scoring with five goals and three assists. She scored goals in the Bulldogs’ last two matches and was named to the all-tournament team at their Bulldogs/Sleep In Classic. The team is 4-3-1.
“I think I’m doing really well and showing how good of a player I am,” Lopez said in an email to Presidosports.com. “The coaches think I can do way better and perform to a higher level.”
While she admits to being homesick, Lopez said she’s bonded with her teammates.
“The freshman class is really another reason why I like it here,” she said.
HONORED: Notre Dame junior outside hitter Kristen Dealy, a Santa Barbara alum, was named to the all-tournament team at the Notre Dame Invitational She averaged 3.64 kills and 4.36 sets in the three-day event. The Fighting Irish are 7-5.
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