Elaine Youngs

Professional volleyball player Elaine Youngs played women's indoor volleyball at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and won a bronze medal in women's beach volleyball at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. Youngs was selected as a member of the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: February 14, 1970²
2. Birthplace: El Toro, California²
3. Resides:Durango, Colorado²
4. Height: 6'0"²
5. College: University of California Los Angeles²
6. Coach: Liz Masakayan²
7. Nickname: EY²
8. Played volleyball and basketball in school²
9. Enjoys hiking and reading²
10. Three dogs: Piggy, Zach and Mesa³

Volleyball Career

Prior to playing professional volleyball, Youngs played in college, for the University of California Los Angeles. She helped the team win the 1991 NCAA Women's Indoor Volleyball National Championship. Youngs graduated in 1993 with a degree in history. She joined the Women's Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) in 1997, where she was selected as Rookie of the Year. Youngs then joined the Association of Volleyball Professionals, or AVP, in 1999. She won several AVP awards in 2002, including Best Blocker, Best Offensive Player and the league's Most Valuable Player. In 2005, Youngs and then-partner Rachel Wacholder defeated Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, snapping their 50-consecutive-game winning streak.³

Career Highlights

• 1997: WPVA Rookie of the Year²
• 2002: AVP Best Blocker, Best Offensive Player, MVP²
• 2004: Summer Olympics, women's beach volleyball, bronze medal²

Timeline

• 1989-93: University of California Los Angeles²
• 1996: Summer Olympics, women's indoor volleyball²
• 2004: Summer Olympics, women's beach volleyball²
• 2008: Summer Olympics, women's beach volleyball²

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