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Minnesota Native is Coming Home as a Member of USA Men’s Team
by Rob Leer
Until this year, friends and family of Apple Valley native Jim Polster had to travel to foreign lands to see him play volleyball for the USA Men’s National Team. In July, all they will need to do is drive north a few miles on Interstate 35W. Polster, 27, and his teammates will bring their game to Target Center on July 29-30 for a two-match series with Team Japan, as part of the FIVB World League, which features 16 of the world’s best men’s volleyball squads. For Polster, a 6-foot-6 outside hitter, the road to a spot on Team USA was a long one. He grew up in St. Paul and Apple Valley, Minn., before moving to Laguna Niguel, Calif., at age 17. “I was looking for a sport to play in the winter to keep me in shape for my main sport at the time, baseball,” Polster said. “All my friends played hockey, but getting hit like that just didn’t look like very much fun.” Polster played for four years for Minnesota’s lone boys volleyball club team at the time, Team ‘Sota. During that time, he realized he enjoyed setting and spiking more than fielding and hitting. “The curveball was the end of me,” Polster said. “It was then that my family moved to California where volleyball for boys is rather popular. I realized I had to choose to play volleyball full-time.” After a stellar career at Dana Hills High School, Polster picked Long Beach State University to play his collegiate volleyball. “I got to play in one final four during my college career,” Poster said. “Three of the four years I was on the team, we were ranked No. 1 in the country.” After his senior year at Long Beach State, the All-American outside hitter was selected to play in the World University Games, a tournament similar to the Olympics for college-aged athletes. Polster’s squad won the gold medal, and with the hardware came a shot at playing for the National Team. “I made the team and have played in every major world competition except the Olympics,” he said. “Being able to represent your country on the court is a really humbling feeling.” USA Men’s National Team coach, Hugh McCutcheon says Polster has the ability to be a future leader of his team. “Jimmy is very talented. He started for me last year. He’ll be in the mix when we come to Minnesota,” McCutcheon said. “I know he’s excited to come home and play in front of some friends and family. He had a great career at Long Beach State and he is a proud member of Team USA.” While it’s been almost a decade since he played in Minnesota, Polster is confident a few friends and family members will take in his matches at Target Center. “I have a large family, most of whom have never seen me play,” he said. “It should be fun and I expect our team to do well.” So how exactly does a kid from Minnesota make it big as a volleyball player? For Polster, it was top-notch coaching and a chance to play in California against some of the best competition in his age group. “I hope men’s volleyball continues to catch on in Minnesota,” he said. “There are many more opportunities now than there was when I was younger. I think people will be amazed by our level of play when they come out to see us in July.” Tickets for World League 2006 taking place at Target Center July 29-30 are available now at the box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at 651-989-5151 or on line at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit USA Volleyball's 2006 World League page for more information on the tournament and dates. |
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