Jablonsky, Hansen close in on Olympic roster spot

Former UC Irvine All-American Jayson Jablonsky and Corona del Mar High product Kevin Hansen are among the 19-player preliminary roster from which the 12-player USA Olympic men’s volleyball team will be named.

The roster that will compete in Beijing, China later this summer will be announced in mid-July.

Jablonsky, 22, who helped the Anteaters win the 2007 NCAA championship as a senior, is the youngest of the 19 players on the preliminary roster. The 2006 American Volleyball Coaches Assn. Player of the Year as a junior in 2006, Jablonsky is one of five outside hitters on the roster.

Hansen, a star in basketball and volleyball at CdM, who went on to become an All-American at Stanford, is one of three setters on the preliminary roster. He is believed to have the edge over former UCLA star Brandon Taliaferro for the backup setter role behind veteran Lloy Ball.

The men’s volleyball tournament runs Aug. 10 through Aug. 24 in Beijing. The Americans are attempting to win their first medal in the sport since 1992.

Team USA won gold in 1984 and 1988 and claimed the bronze medal in 1992.

— From staff reports