Dan McConnell is one of the best Middles in the world. As you can see by his highlight videos, he has one of the quickest releases and powerful stroke that make returning his hits virtually impossible. He has a laundry list of accomplishments for Team USA, UC-Irvine and a host of junior teams. He took the time tonight to put a video together to share his support and encouragement to the NJ volleyball community. Take a look here:

Thanks so much Dan for engaging the NJ audience! Greatly appreciated… Reach out to Dan at this IG link, show your appreciation, and please make sure to follow him and build his audience…

https://www.instagram.com/dmc_5/

From the USA Volleyball website… link at https://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/athletes/Dan-McDonnell

Name: Dan McDonnell

Position: Middle blocker

Height: 6-7 (204cm)

Weight: 198 lbs (90kg)

Birthplace: Glendale, Ariz.

Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.

High School: Brophy College Prep (Phoenix)

College: UC Irvine (’12, sociology)

Other Career Highlights

• Helped UC Irvine win the 2012 NCAA Men’s D I-II National Championship with a victory over USC and served the final point for an ace
• Named to the 2012 NCAA All-Tournament Team, Second-Team All-MPSF and Volleyball Magazine Third-Team All-America
• Named an alternate to the 2016 Olympic Team
• Helped the U.S. Men win bronze at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and World Championship
• Won a gold medal with the 2017 NORCECA Continental Championship team
• Played on the 2016 and ’17 World League teams
• Played for the U.S. Men at the Pan American Cup in 2012 (silver medal) and 2013 (fifth place)
• Started playing volleyball as a sophomore in high school after he did not make the baseball team
• Attended the University of Arizona and played club volleyball until he was spotted by then UC Irvine assistant coach David Kniffin at a tournament in Las Vegas
• Served as a UC Irvine co-captain his senior year in 2012
• Has played professionally in France, Brazil and Finland

Personal: Parents are Kathy and John McDonnell…Older brother is Brian (1984) and younger sister is Trish (1992)

“I had zero awareness of college volleyball growing up. In Arizona, boys’ volleyball is not a sport respected a lot. I didn’t know about club volleyball. I spread my talent around a bunch of sports until I found volleyball my sophomore year of high school.” – Dan McDonnell