Published: August 18, 2008 03:17 pm            

NEW – Volleyball teammates living in the moment

BEIJING — If he wanted to, Tom Hoff could let his mind wander as his Olympic career winds down, the second-oldest player on the surprising U.S. men’s indoor volleyball team making his third and likely final appearance on the world’s biggest stage.

Hoff isn’t interested.

“I’m sure after it’s all done I’ll look back on it,” Hoff said. “But right now, I have a job to do.”

Sean Rooney is following similar focus, although the team’s youngest player admits to the occasional peek ahead.

“Eight years ago, I was thinking it’d be cool to play in Beijing,” Rooney said. “Then I thought that was stupid because it was so far in the future and might not happen. So now I’m thinking ahead again. London would be nice. And also to finish up in Chicago would be my ultimate dream. That would just be incredible.”

Hoff’s career is winding down. Rooney’s is winding up. Yet the two Chicago-area athletes are living in the moment here, enjoying a 5-0 record coming out of start in pool play even as the team deals with the unexpected tragedy involving the killing murder of coach Hugh McCutcheon’s father-in-law.

“Obviously, the trip started off horribly, but we pulled together as a team,” Rooney said. “Coming into this summer, we’ve gotten better every match. It’s really hard to keep improving. But we have so far every match here.”

Their next, a Wednesday quarterfinal matchup against Serbia, again likely will feature spot duty for Hoff, a middle blocker, and Rooney, an outside hitter who ended the recent win over China match with a vicious spike.

Both players understand their roles.

“As the third or fourth outside hitter, you have to be ready to make a difference right away,” Rooney said. “It’s not always going to be at the end of a game when we’re winning. Sometimes, it’s the other way when we’re losing. That’s a hard job too.

”This team is so experienced. The older guys are doing a great job of teaching the younger guys. We have a good mix of players.“

Hoff takes seriously his role as captain, which he’s held since 2005.

”When we get in bigger matches, when young guys might be a bit overwhelmed, that’s the time when myself and other older guys who have been there can help,“ Hoff said. ”You really have to close your window and just focus on what you’re doing.“

Which is precisely why Hoff won’t let his mind wander to beyond these Games.

”You try not to think about all you’ve been through and all the time you put in,“ Hoff said. ”Yeah, this could be my last Olympics. But if you take all that and put it on yourself, obviously it’s very hard to do your everyday job, which is come in, get warmed up and play the game.

“I’m sure a couple years down the road I’ll appreciate it much more. But right now, I’m just a volleyball player. I have a lot of experience. I can help the guys out a lot. I can play the game. And that’s what I’m concentrating on.”

        

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