Stanford in Rio | Raising a Champion (People.com) | Fueled by Family: Erik and Kawika (People.com) | Special to the Honolulu Star Advertiser by Kawika Shoji
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - After a heart-breaking five-set loss in the semifinals, the United States men's volleyball team, featuring Stanford alums Kawika ('10) and Erik ('12) Shoji and assistant coach Matt Fuerbringer ('97), rallied from an 0-2 deficit to topple Russia (23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-13) to win the bronze medal in Rio. It marks the fifth time the U.S. has medaled in men's volleyball, winning gold in 1984, 1988 and 2008, and bronze in 1992.
The Shojis became the ninth and 10th Olympians in Stanford men's volleyball's program history. The pair helped guide the Cardinal to its second national title in 2010. A three-time All-American, Kawika was named the AVCA National Player of the Year in 2010, while Erik became the first four-time AVCA First Team All-American in the history of the honors.
Fuerbringer served as an assistant coach on John Speraw's staff. He was a four-time All-American for Stanford from 1994-97, capping his career by guiding the Cardinal to the program's first national title.
Stanford was well represented with 39 athletes competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Among the contingent: 25 former, seven current and five incoming student-athletes, along with two former club sports competitors, in addition to five other delegates. Stanford's Olympians hailed from 10 countries and span 17 varsity sports.
| Date | Stanford Athlete | Opponent | Time/Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.7 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. Canada | L, 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-23) |
| 8.9 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. Italy | L, 3-1 (28-26, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23) |
| 8.11 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. Brazil | W, 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20) |
| 8.13 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. France | W, 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 14-25, 25-22) |
| 8.15 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. Mexico | W, 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-19) |
| 8.17 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. Poland | W, 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-20) |
| 8.19 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. Italy | L, 3-2 (30-28, 26-28, 9-25, 25-22, 15-9) |
| 8.21 | Erik and Kawika Shoji (USA) | vs. Russia | W, 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-13) |
A photo posted by Erik Shoji (@erikshoji) on Aug 21, 2016 at 9:07am PDT
CALL IT A COMEBACK! Down 0-2 to #RUS, #TeamUSA rallies back to win #Olympics #Bronze!!!!! #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/ifZysnUXO0
— Men's Volleyball (@StanfordMVB) August 21, 2016
The disappointment is immense but we have NOTHING to be ashamed of. I love this team & am proud of how we play. We will fight for bronze
— Kawika Shoji (@Kshoji7) August 19, 2016
You gotta be in to win it. Guess what? We are still in it! So proud of this crew. Work begins now! pic.twitter.com/o03IAkqd6x
— Matthew Fuerbringer (@mattyfuerbs) August 17, 2016
So rad, Gents!!!!! Keep up the domination. It's beautiful! @usavolleyball YOU TOO, LADIES!!!! https://t.co/vauJ674rbQ
— Kerri Walsh Jennings (@kerrileewalsh) August 17, 2016
#SquadGoals #TeamShoji #ShojiBros #Family #USAVolleyball #TeamUSA
A photo posted by Erik Shoji (@erikshoji) on Aug 14, 2016 at 2:43am PDT
A photo posted by Stanford Men's Volleyball (@therealstanfordmvb) on Aug 13, 2016 at 3:45pm PDT
Go get 'em boys!!!!!! ?????????????????? https://t.co/HntaIrl9r0
— Kerri Walsh Jennings (@kerrileewalsh) August 12, 2016
A photo posted by Kawika Shoji (@kshoji7) on Aug 11, 2016 at 12:55pm PDT
A video posted by USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:31pm PDT
A photo posted by Kawika Shoji (@kshoji7) on Aug 6, 2016 at 6:05pm PDT
UNFORGETTABLE experience walking in the Opening Ceremony! Proud to be a part of #TeamUSA. Let the games begin! pic.twitter.com/uoh2SFsrf6
— Kawika Shoji (@Kshoji7) August 6, 2016
Rio reunion w @GoStanford??& #TeamUSA volleyball players: @Kshoji7 & @shojinator at Maracanazinho! #Olympics #GoCard pic.twitter.com/bRCYpOR2hh
— Rosalyn Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) August 5, 2016
Team selfie in the Olympic Village. Opening Ceremony is in 2 days!! ????????????
A photo posted by Erik Shoji (@erikshoji) on Aug 3, 2016 at 4:01pm PDT
Staff photo before the madness gets going this weekend. #together pic.twitter.com/NQQ2SgQUBM
— Matthew Fuerbringer (@mattyfuerbs) August 4, 2016
A photo posted by Kawika Shoji (@kshoji7) on Aug 1, 2016 at 4:52pm PDT
.#ICYMI Here are the 12 players who will compete on the U.S. Men's National Team at @Rio2016_en #USAVolley2016 pic.twitter.com/pSVVal1s1U
— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) June 21, 2016