Lake Nona is home to several world-renowned athletes – one of them being 2008 Olympic gold medalist Phil Dalhausser. Dalhausser and seven other powerhouse beach volleyball Olympians and Olympic nominees have been using Boxi Park’s volleyball courts to train and mimic the conditions that may be seen at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. They will exhibit their skills in beach volleyball this Thursday at Lake Nona’s Boxi Park.
The group of pros includes Dalhausser and his partner Olympian Nick Lucena; Olympian Jake Gibb and his Olympic nominee partner Taylor Crabb; Olympic silver and bronze medalist April Ross and her partner, Olympic nominee Alix Klineman; and Olympic nominees and partners Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil.
These eight athletes from the USA Volleyball Beach National Teams will participate in an exhibition at Boxi Park on Thursday, July 1, from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are free and available for the public online.
“Having Team USA come to Boxi Park in Lake Nona to train before the Olympic Games is just another reason why we call our neighborhood ‘Pleasantville,’” said Dalhausser. “I am fortunate not only to train here, but it’s also home to our volleyball academy. To share it with Team USA and to show the community what world-class beach volleyball looks like is pretty darn cool. I hope this exhibition helps grow the sport in Central Florida.”
In addition to free access to professional beach volleyball matches, Lake Nona residents have the Phil Dalhausser Beach Volleyball Academy at their fingertips. The academy is also hosted by Boxi Park every week and provides classes, group sessions and training for kids and teens looking to hone their skills or start learning from scratch. Adult leagues are available through the academy as well. Dalhausser’s family of volleyball pros, including wife and volleyball professional Jennifer and brother Mark, teach for the organization.
The USA Volleyball exhibition is the most recent sports tournament held in Lake Nona. World-class athletes seek out our region for its top-of-the-line training facilities and amenities. Lake Nona has previously hosted the LPGA Gainbridge Tournament, NCAA Men’s and Women’s Division I Championships, and many more prior to this.
USA Volleyball’s teams have won an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984, four Paralympic medals since 2004 and numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles. Come support the nonprofit’s volleyball aficionados this Thursday at Boxi Park and help them bring home some more Olympic medals!
