The quintessential pro

What separates good from great, and great from elite?

It’s the ability to play IN the moment and FOR the moment. It’s what makes Clay Stanley a three-time Olympian, one who is seeking a second consecutive gold medal in men’s volleyball.

The MVP of the 2008 Beijing Games is ready to lead. The 6-foot-9 opposite embraced his new role as team captain much as he embraced the sport so entrenched in his DNA.

Although Kaiser High did not offer boys volleyball when Stanley attended, he had plenty of exposure to the sport. His father, Jon, a two-time Olympic team member (1968, ’72), has been a force for Outrigger Canoe Club and other masters teams for decades, earning more than 30 USAV All-America honors.

His mom, Sandra, a Canadian national, played in the now-defunct IVA, a U.S. pro league. Both parents are in their respective countries’ volleyball halls of fame.

When Sandra later married into the Haine family, Clay added an impressive branch to his family tree. The late Tom "Daddy" Haine, his step-grandfather, captained the 1968 Olympic team, and stepfather Marc was an All-American at San Diego State and for Outrigger at nationals.

Still, Clay Stanley — who played basketball and water polo for the Cougars — didn’t begin playing national-level volleyball until he was 17. His debut at the Junior Olympics was beyond impressive, Jon Stanley said.

"It was pretty amazing," the elder Stanley said. "When I asked him what he wanted to play in college, thinking it would be basketball, he said, ‘No, I think I’ll play volleyball.’ I said OK, and he started practicing with Outrigger. He went to JOs and went from nothing to (UCLA coach) Al Scates offering a full ride. This from a guy who doesn’t recruit or give full rides.

"I think we all saw the potential. And once he got to (the University of Hawaii), it was an amazing process. He just blossomed the more he played, has gotten better every year."

Stanley has become the go-to player at the most demanding of go-to positions: opposite. He usually gets the most sets, including the "help-bail-us-out" ones.

"He’s one of the best volleyball players in the world," U.S. Olympic coach Alan Knipe said. "He has two roles in London. We want him to be the opposite that everyone has become accustomed to seeing with big swings and great blocking and serving. In a lot of ways he is our leader and captain. He’s new to that role, but it’s something he has down well.

"The best compliment I can give Clay is if anyone wants to emulate a professional athlete and his work ethic, come watch him work either on the court or in the weight room. He’s worked to get where he is."

U.S. Olympic women’s coach Hugh McCutcheon, the men’s coach in 2008 and assistant in 2004, agrees.

"There’s no doubt he’s come a long way since 2004," McCutcheon said. "He is physically able to dominate from the net to the service line. He’s a phenomenal volleyball player. I’m a huge fan.

"On top of everything, he’s a mature, composed man who always wants to be playing in the moment. He thrives in that environment."

Ask Stanley if there is pressure for the U.S. to defend its gold or for him to repeat as most outstanding player and the answer is like one of his shut-down blocks.

"I don’t even think about it, so no pressure," he said. "I don’t think about my successes and tend to take things as they come. I’m just hoping to do well and win a medal. I feel fortunate to have had a lot of great coaches and teammates to help me get to the level I’m at."

He’s been at a very high level since leaving UH after his junior season to play professionally. The money’s been very good, with Stanley earning in the high six figures annually in Europe.

His career has been relatively injury-free, surprising since he has played nearly year-round for more than 10 years. It caught up to him within the past year when he sat out four months after surgery to repair his right knee.

"I think he’s learning he’s got to protect his health, not go year-round," Jon Stanley said. "It probably cost him $700,000 to $800,000 by not playing this year. I don’t see why he can’t go for a fourth Olympics (in 2016). Somebody’s going to have to beat him out and no one has been able to challenge him for his position yet."

Clay Stanley agreed.

"I don’t see this as the end of my volleyball career," he said. "If I can make another Olympics, I’m damn well going to try. I have no plans (for retirement from the national team) because I’m not done playing. I really enjoy playing. I enjoy working hard. I enjoy making good money and I love being part of the team and winning tournaments and championships."

The U.S. heads to London ranked No. 6 in the world and is coming off a second-place finish in the FIVB World League earlier this month. It was somewhat of a surprise silver medal given that the U.S. had opened the tournament with three consecutive losses.

"I think repeating (Olympic gold) this year will be a tougher task," Jon Stanley said. "If they can, it would be a great achievement."

Dad and other family members will be in London if it happens. Being an Olympian is a rare thing and the Stanleys are the rarest of the rare: In 2004, Jon and Clay became the first father and son to compete in Olympic volleyball.

"Some of that is merely by chance," Jon Stanley said. "There have been other fathers and sons on national teams, but the teams didn’t qualify for the Olympics. Part of the reason is in the old days only a handful of teams ever made it to the Olympics. The sport wasn’t in there until 1964, so the chances of it happening before now weren’t there."

Both appreciate the connection.

"It’s great being an Olympian and share the same type of experiences with my dad," Clay Stanley said. "I enjoy having my family support me at the Games, even though I don’t get to see them very much."

Jon Stanley is bringing some of the family to London, including son Wil, a 5-11 setter.

"What would be fun for me is if Wil could make the national team in four years and set Clay," Jon Stanley said. We’re going to London. We’re going through everyone we know to get tickets."