2012 U.S. Olympian Russell Holmes has transferred to Paris Volley in spite of the spring transfer window being closed. The move was allowed under league medical wildcard rules due to an injury to Franck Lafitte that has left the team short-handed.
L'international Américain @russellholmes12 rejoint le groupe parisien en tant que joker médical pour pallier l'absence…
Posted by Paris Volley on Monday, February 13, 2017
Holmes is a 6’9″, 34-year old middle blocker who has 4 international medals. He played on the American team in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Games, where the team placed 5th. In the team’s quarterfinal game, where the Americans were knocked out of contention, Holmes had 5 kills, 2 blocks, and 3 digs in an all-around effort, though it resulted in a sweep by the Italians.
His international medals for Team USA came in the form of golds at the 2014 World League and 2015 World Cup, a silver in the 2012 World League, and a bronze in the 2015 World League.
Holmes played collegiately at BYU and has since bounced around to clubs in Brazil, Austria, Poland, Turkey and most recently back to Poland with Resovia Rzezow. With his latest club in 2014 he won a silver medal in the CEV Champions League, and in 2011 with Jastrzebski Wegiel he took silver at the Club World Championiships.
Holmes hits at 352cm (139 in) and blocks at 335cm (132in).
Paris Volley currently sits 4th in France’s top flight Ligue National de Volley (LNV). With 30 points, they’re 8 behind Chaumont after 16 rounds of play. Holmes will have the opportunity to play alongside the leagues top middle this season, Ardo Kreek, who like Holmes can both hit and block out of the middle. Lafitte had just 8 points in 1 game played this season
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