Brook Billings
Encyclopedia
Brook Michael Billings (born 30 April 1980 in Santa Barbara, California
) is an American
indoor volleyball
player, who plays as an opposite-hitter for the U.S. National Team
. He joined the team in May 2002.
in Santa Barbara
with his friends. Would like to have seen Sublime
in concert. Says "a million dollar car-with wings" is the first thing he would buy if he won the lottery. Chose "mind reading" as the superpower he wants. His pet peeve is "when people drive slow in the far left lane on the freeway." Brook is engaged to Former UCSB Middle Blocker, Brett Quirarte.
, Germany
and then scored 16 points in an exhibition victory over Germany played in Chemnitz
.
, finishing as the United States' second-leading scorer, and fifth overall, with 61 points on 54 kills, six blocks and one ace. He led the U.S. Men
in scoring in their matches against Argentina
(12 points), Puerto Rico
(14 points) and Cuba
(16 points). Played in four World League pool play matches and scored 20 points.
. Helped the squad win the inaugural Pan American Cup
.
qualified for the 2006 World Championships.
on January 10. The men posted a perfect record of 6-0 en route to the gold medal, which included a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Cuba in the championship match. Scored a match-high 17 points on 16 kills and one block in a 3-1 pool-play win over Cuba after replacing starting opposite Clay Stanley
.
in the Dominican Republic
. The Americans finished fourth (3-2) at the Pan Am Games after losing to Brazil
in the bronze medal match. Saw action in just six of 11 matches at the World Cup and played 20 of a possible 37 sets but still scored 86 points on 73 kills and 13 blocks to finish fourth on the team in total points and tops in points per match at 14,33.
on June 30 and 20 points (17 kills, two blocks, one ace) in a 3-2 win over Greece
on August 30.
Hot Volleys Vienna
Osaka Blazers Sakai
AZS Częstochowa Caribes de San Sebastián Fenerbahçe Istanbul
Al-Ahli Club Dubai Suwon KEPCO 45 Iraklis Thessaloniki
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indoor volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
player, who plays as an opposite-hitter for the U.S. National Team
United States men's national volleyball team
The United States men's national volleyball team is the national team for the United States of America, it is governed by USA Volleyball....
. He joined the team in May 2002.
Personal life
Parents are David Billings and Daphne Von Essen. His stepmother's name is Beth Berger. He also has a sister, Summer Billings and a brother, James Von Essen. He enjoys snowboarding, basketball, electronics, a little bit of golf, surfing and music concerts. One of the most defining moments in his life was being recruited and accepted to USC. Majored in public policy and management at USC. His off-court goals include finishing school, getting married and having a family. Considers real estate as a possible future profession. Most prized possessions are his family, his friends and his clothes. One of his fondest childhood memories is spending all day at East BeachEast Beach (Santa Barbara)
East Beach located in Santa Barbara, California is often the first beach seen upon entering Santa Barbara. East Beach is the primary beach for tourists, as some of the major Santa Barbara hotels face this beach....
in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
with his friends. Would like to have seen Sublime
Sublime (band)
Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
in concert. Says "a million dollar car-with wings" is the first thing he would buy if he won the lottery. Chose "mind reading" as the superpower he wants. His pet peeve is "when people drive slow in the far left lane on the freeway." Brook is engaged to Former UCSB Middle Blocker, Brett Quirarte.
2002
Earned All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) honorable mention. Led the team in kills (386) and in kills per game (4,39).2001
Earned Asics/Volleyball All-American and All-MPSF honorable mentions. Led USC in kills (390) and blocks (68) and was second in digs (118). Finished eighth nationally in kill average at 4,88 (fourth in the MPSF at 5,21). Posted double-figure kills in 20 of his 22 matches, with nine matches of 20-plus kills.2000
Earned Asics/Volleyball All-America first team, AVCA All-America second team and All-MPSF first team honors. Led the team in kills (601) while hitting 0,339. Finished third on the team in digs (160) and had 73 blocks. Ranked fifth nationally in kill average (6.84) and third in the MPSF (6.83). Posted double-figure kills in 24 of his 25 matches, with 18 matches of 20-plus kills and six matches of 30-plus kills (including an MPSF and USC season-high 50 kills at Loyola Marymount, a career best).1999
Started all but two matches at opposite hitter as just a freshman and made an immediate impact. Garnered Asics/Volleyball National Co-Freshman of the Year and MPSF Freshman of the Year honors, as well as being an All-MPSF honorable mention selection. Led the team in kills with 640, the most ever by a USC freshman and the fourth-most by any Trojan ever, while hitting 0,317. Finished sixth nationally in kill average (6.17). He also had 169 digs (second on the team) and 92 blocks (fourth on the team). Posted double-figure kills 26 times, with 17 matches of 20-plus kills and six matches of 30-plus kills.2008
Brook was an alternate for the Olympic Team. Played in two World League pool play matches in Bulgaria and scored four points. Played in the Four Nations' Tournament in LeipzigLeipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and then scored 16 points in an exhibition victory over Germany played in Chemnitz
Chemnitz
Chemnitz is the third-largest city of the Free State of Saxony, Germany. Chemnitz is an independent city which is not part of any county and seat of the government region Direktionsbezirk Chemnitz. Located in the northern foothills of the Ore Mountains, it is a part of the Saxon triangle...
.
2007
Brook had a stellar run at the Pan American Games on August 23–28 in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, finishing as the United States' second-leading scorer, and fifth overall, with 61 points on 54 kills, six blocks and one ace. He led the U.S. Men
United States men's national volleyball team
The United States men's national volleyball team is the national team for the United States of America, it is governed by USA Volleyball....
in scoring in their matches against Argentina
Argentina men's national volleyball team
The Argentina national volleyball team is the national volleyball representative of Argentina. The team is controlled by the Argentine Volleyball Federation ....
(12 points), Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico men's national volleyball team
The Puerto Rico men's national volleyball team represents the Puerto Rico in international volleyball competitions and friendly matches. In 2007 the squad won the silver medal at the NORCECA Volleyball Championship after defeating Cuba in the semi-finals...
(14 points) and Cuba
Cuba men's national volleyball team
The Cuba men's national volleyball team is the national team of Cuba.-Team:Team for the Volleyball World League 2010.Coach : Orlando Samuels -Achievements:*Volleyball World Championship ...
(16 points). Played in four World League pool play matches and scored 20 points.
2006
Was on the preliminary roster for the World Championships. Scored seven points for the U.S. Men in their opening World League match against PolandPoland men's national volleyball team
The Poland national men's volleyball team is the national volleyball team from Poland, controlled by the Polski Związek Piłki Siatkowej , which represents the country in international competitions and friendly matches. It is one of the world's strongest teams, being the 2009 European Champions and...
. Helped the squad win the inaugural Pan American Cup
Pan American Cup
The Pan American Cup is an international men's and women's field hockey competition organised by Pan American Hockey Federation . The tournament is started in 2000 for men's competition and women's competition started year later...
.
2005
Earned a gold medal as Team USA won its second-straight NORCECA Continental Championship with a four-set victory over Cuba on September 15. The USA Men qualified for the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup with the win. Also earned a gold medal in August at the FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament as the USA MenUnited States men's national volleyball team
The United States men's national volleyball team is the national team for the United States of America, it is governed by USA Volleyball....
qualified for the 2006 World Championships.
2004
Brook made his first-ever Olympic appearance in Athens, Greece as the USA Men finished fourth overall. Ranked sixth on the team in total points with 28 on 23 kills and five blocks. Team USA qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caguas, Puerto RicoCaguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
on January 10. The men posted a perfect record of 6-0 en route to the gold medal, which included a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over Cuba in the championship match. Scored a match-high 17 points on 16 kills and one block in a 3-1 pool-play win over Cuba after replacing starting opposite Clay Stanley
Clay Stanley
Clayton “Clay” Iona Stanley is an American volleyball player. Stanley has been on the U.S. men's national team since 2000 and has made two Olympic appearances, in 2004 and 2008...
.
2003
Led Team USA in scoring and ranked third among all scorers with 73 points on 67 kills, five blocks and one service ace at the Pan American GamesPan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. The Americans finished fourth (3-2) at the Pan Am Games after losing to Brazil
Brazil men's national volleyball team
The Brazil men's national volleyball team is the national team of Brazil. It is governed by the Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol and takes part in international volleyball competitions...
in the bronze medal match. Saw action in just six of 11 matches at the World Cup and played 20 of a possible 37 sets but still scored 86 points on 73 kills and 13 blocks to finish fourth on the team in total points and tops in points per match at 14,33.
2002
One of the team's biggest surprises during the 2002 season. Ranked first on the team in total points (266) and total kills (223). Also ranked third in stuff blocks (30), points per set (2,83) and digs (97). Scored a career-high 26 points (24 kills, one block, one ace) in a 3-2 upset of eventual World Champion Brazil on September 30 during pool play. Also scored 21 points (19 kills, one block, one service ace) in a five-set win over AustraliaAustralia men's national volleyball team
The Australia Men's national volleyball team, also known as Volleyball Team Australia Men is the national volleyball team of the volleyball-playing nation of Australia....
on June 30 and 20 points (17 kills, two blocks, one ace) in a 3-2 win over Greece
Greece men's national volleyball team
The Greece men's national volleyball team is the national team of Greece. It is governed by the Hellenic Volleyball Federation and takes part in international volleyball competitions.-Olympics:-World Championship:-World League:...
on August 30.
2007
- Americas' Cup (Gold Medal).
- Pan American Games (Silver Medal).
- FIVB World League (Bronze Medal).
2005
- FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal).
- NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal).
2004
- NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Gold Medal).
- Japan Tour.
- Houston Series.
- USA Global Challenge (Gold Medal).
- Serbia and Montenegro Tour (Silver Medal).
- Olympic Games (Fourth Place).
2003
- Colorado/Nebraska Tour.
- Canada Tour.
- Pan American Games (Fourth Place).
- NORCECA Zone Championships (Gold Medal).
- World Cup (Fourth Place).
2002
- Dallas Tour.
- Six-Nation Tournament (Italy).
- Louisville Tour.
- Bulgaria Tour.
- Greece Tour.
- Florida Tour.
- World Championships.
Professional
Former teams he has played professionally on:Hot Volleys Vienna
Aon hotVolleys Vienna
aon hotVolleys Vienna is an Austrian volleyball club which is playing their home matches at the Budocenter in Vienna.The team participates in the Men's CEV Champions League 2007-08-Previous names:*....-1999 : Donaukraft Wien...
Osaka Blazers Sakai
Osaka Blazers Sakai
Osaka Blazers Sakai is a men's volleyball team based in Sakai city, Osaka, Japan. It plays in V.Premier League.The club was founded in 1939 as part of the Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-based Yawata Steel athletic club which also included football club Yawata Steel F.C....
AZS Częstochowa Caribes de San Sebastián Fenerbahçe Istanbul
Fenerbahçe Men's Volleyball
Fenerbahçe Grundig is the men's volleyball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major sports club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The senior team's name sponsor is Grundig....
Al-Ahli Club Dubai Suwon KEPCO 45 Iraklis Thessaloniki