Soerensen selected to join U.S. boys volleyball national team

Apr. 5—Meadville's Luc Soerensen will join an exclusive club.

Soerensen was selected as one of 20 boys volleyball standouts to join the 2024 U.S. Boys U19 National Team, as announced by USA Volleyball on Thursday. The team is will train in Anaheim, California, from May 3 to 11.

During that time, 12 of the 20 will be selected to represent the United States at the 2024 Boys U19 NORCECA Continental Championship from May 12 to 20 in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

"It felt amazing to be selected for the team. It's a great opportunity to be able top play with some of the top players in the country and represent my team on a national level," Soerensen said. "I'm really grateful for the chance to do so."

Sorensen is an outside hitter for the Meadville Bulldogs, but the 6-feet 8-inch tall sophomore will join the U19 team as a middle blocker.

"This is a one in a lifetime opportunity. He has the chance to play at the absolute highest level he can at his age, and a chance to represent our country," Meadville head coach Nick Bancroft said. "Even if he doesn't make the final 12-man roster, the opportunity to play with the best is something no one could pass up."

Charlie Sullivan, the men's head coach at Springfield College, will be the U19 team's head coach. He will be assisted by Pat Shawaryn from Penn State and Chris Seiffert from Concordia Irvine.

The U19 team has won the last two Pan American Cup tournaments in 2022 and '23. The team finished fourth at the World Championship in 2023, its best finish ever.

"Making the U19 team has always been something I had wanted to do since I found out about the possibility," Soerensen said. "I fly out for training in about a month and I'm really excited to compelte with the highest level of competition in the country"

In addition to the Meadville Bulldogs, Soerensen also suits up for the C2 Attack Volleyball Club, a club team in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Soerensen will leave for Anaheim in the midst of Meadville's season and will miss a couple of region matches and two tournaments for the Bulldogs. The timing should be beneficial for both parties.

"The timing of it is a little unfortunate for us, but other state's volleyball seasons are over by now. So it would be impossible for USA volleyball to work around everyone's schedule," Bancroft said. "I think it's actually going to be very beneficial for our team as well to allow other players to step up, develop and take on new roles while Luc is away.

"We wish him the best of luck and are happy to have him representing Meadville and Northwestern PA volleyball at the international level."

Alex Topor can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at atopor@meadvilletribune.com.