35-year old American middle blocker Russell Holmes has announced his retirement from competitive volleyball. Holmes was a starter on the U.S. team at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, where they finished 5th.
Holmes played collegiately at BYU from 2004, and after graduation had an 11-year professional career that took him to Austria, Brazil, Poland, Turkey, back to Poland, and finally the end of the 2016-2017 season playing with Paris Volley in France’s Pro A league. He didn’t wind up on a roster last season, but was playing with Blizzard Volleyball in the upstart, if sputtering, American men’s volleyball league the NVA.
Holmes announced his retirement via his Instagram page, concluding with a message of love for the sport.
“So it’s with a heavy heart that I say farewell to the sport that has given me so much and, at the same time, it’s with great excitement that I look forward to the future as I embark on a new adventure and journey,” the post reads. “I don’t know what my future holds but I do know that I will approach this new chapter with that same heart, grit, discipline, determination, passion, drive, integrity, humility, gratitude, and a never give in or give up attitude that I’ve done with in the past.”
Internationally, Holmes won gold at the 2015 World Cup, and won 3 World League medals, including a gold in 2014. He was a reserve at the 2015 FIVB World League and World Cup, and by the 2016 World League was on the extended roster but out of the American rotation.
At the 2012 Olympic Games, Holmes scored 7 points in the quarterfinals when the Americans were eliminated 3-0 by Italy. He scored 45 total points in 6 matches in the tournament.
Holmes’ Instagram post announcing his retirement, with the full text following, is below:
I’ve been avoiding this post for some time now but feel the need to express my deepest love and sincerest gratitude to the sport and the people that have changed my life forever. .
I could have never imagined that when I touched a volleyball competitively for the first time, at the age of 17, that it would have led me here. I could have never dreamt of all the amazing places around the world it would take me, all the beautiful friendships I would make, and all the life changing lessons and experiences it would provide for me.
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Volleyball has truly been a training ground for life and this whole journey has forever changed me. I can’t even begin to express how truly humbled and grateful I am for all the individuals who have played a vital part in my growth and success. It’s sponsors, agents, coaches, trainers, club owners and managers, teammates, fans, friends, my family, and most of all, my children and incredible wife. It’s all of you and everyone. Whether you’ve been on the train with me along my entire journey or just at one stop/station along my path, you’ve all made an extreme impact on me. The love and support from all of you is overwhelming and I want to express my heart felt gratitude and love right back to you.
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So it’s with a heavy heart that I say farewell to the sport that has given me so much and, at the same time, it’s with great excitement that I look forward to the future as I embark on a new adventure and journey. I don’t know what my future holds but I do know that I will approach this new chapter with that same heart, grit, discipline, determination, passion, drive, integrity, humility, gratitude, and a never give in or give up attitude that I’ve done with in the past.
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So here’s to volleyball, the journey, all of you, and to the future ✌🏻🤟🏻
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