As a Wheaton Warrenville South freshman boys volleyball player in 1998, playing in the Olympics was something Sean Rooney hoped to accomplish, but never thought he could touch.

Now, Rooney can embrace the dream. In fact, it’s all but within his grasp.

“It was always a goal,” the 6-foot-10 outside hitter said. “When I was at Wheaton Warrenville South, it seemed so far away. I didn’t know anything about volleyball when I started playing. When I got stronger and stronger, it became more believable.

“Now, looking back, it doesn’t seem like that long ago.”

Yet, half of the 25-year-old’s life has been invested in the sport.

“All the work that he’s put in over last 10 years coming to fruition,” Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier said. “I think he’s about ready to realize his dream, which I think is fabulous.”

Rooney returned to the area last weekend to play a pair of Federation Internationale de Volleyball World League matches against Bulgaria at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.

The former WWS all-stater led the Team USA with 15 kills, four blocks and an ace last Saturday in the team’s first World League loss. Bulgaria prevailed 12-25, 25-16, 25-20, 12-25, 15-13. The U.S. won in three games last Friday 25-23, 25-16, 25-16.

In recent years, Rooney has made an annual stop in Chicago with the Association of Volleyball Professionals Pro Beach Volleyball tour. Those days are behind him, at least temporarily. He joined the U.S. national team in May 2007.

“It’s been great for me,” Rooney said. “It’s been an awesome experience to represent my country.”

Rooney’s college coach thinks he could be on the fast track to being one of the best players in the world.

“I think he’s right on the border,” said Pepperdine University coach Marv Dunphy, who coached the U.S. to the 1988 gold medal. “In the international arena, it’s a pretty big jump to go from college player of the year to the top of the heap in the world. Typically, those guys are five to six years down the road from college.

“But I don’t think it’ll take Sean that long to get there. I think he’s right on the fringe. He’s already playing in the top league. When you’re playing in Russia, you’re playing against the best.”

Moving up
Rooney played professionally for Dinamo-Yantar, which is based in Kaliningrad, Russia, over the winter. The previous two years he played in South Korea and was the most valuable player in the Korean League while leading his team to consecutive championships.

He helped Team USA qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China with his performance in the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Olympic qualifier Jan. 6-11 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Rooney supplied 43 kills and three blocks in the tournament and won an award as “Best Spiker.”

“That’s a sign that he was playing real well,” Dunphy said. “I think he was pretty good at Pepperdine. He’s better now.”

The U.S. won the tournament and is ranked No. 3 in the world.

“I think we’re in a good position,” Rooney said. “We beat Bulgaria in the World Cup. We beat Brazil at the World Cup and they’re No. 1. We barely lost to Russia, and they’re No. 2. We’re right there on the cusp of taking everything.”

Rooney won a state championship at Wheaton Warrenville South and an NCAA championship at Pepperdine.

Players his height generally find themselves stuck in the middle of the court, but he’s always played outside hitter. He credits Schreier and Rick Butler at Sports Performance Volleyball Club for developing the ball skills that he feels are essential to his game.

“For me, the mental focus has always been there,” Rooney said. “I’ve always worked on the little, technical things. The average height for an outside hitter is 6-3. I might not be as fast as the smaller outside hitters, or as dynamic, but I’m able to pass the ball, get my feet to the ball and I’m able to help at the net.”

Schreier said, “We’ve always joked about how he’s got those small guy skills. You add that to a guy who’s coming in at 6-8, has a very good vertical and excellent shot selection. That put him on top. I think he was the No. 1 recruit in the nation his senior year.”

Dunphy conceded that some schools might have redshirted Rooney as a freshman, but Pepperdine needed him to contribute. He finished his career as the seventh collegiate men’s player to became a four-time all-American.

“The thing that sticks out in my mind about Sean is that he wanted to be a better volleyball player,” Dunphy said. “When you’re really good, you don’t have to go that far, but sometimes it’s difficult to get there. You have to be willing to lift and to train at a high level. He wanted to be good. As a coach, you want guys who are willing to put it all on the line.”

Finding a place in the world
Rooney tore the meniscus in left knee in January after the NORCECA tournament. He didn’t travel with the U.S. team to its matches in Finland last weekend, but expects to be on the court this weekend.

He was a member of the U.S. junior national team in the summer before his senior year at WWS. Only three players from that squad are on the current U.S. team.

“The program gave a lot to me,” said Rooney, explaining why he’s stayed close to the Tigers’ program. “I stop and think every day about how fortunate I’ve been. If I went to a different school and didn’t play for Coach Schreier, some of things might not have happened for me. So I’ll always root for him.”

While looking forward to his first Olympics and savoring the opportunity to participate, he’s hoping there are two more ahead for him. The timing of the proposed 2016 games in Chicago would be perfect for Rooney if the Windy City gets the bid.

“This is my first,” Rooney said. “In 2012, I hope to be able to finish my career up indoors and then move back to beach. I think it’s a little easier on your body. Once again, I’m looking eight years down the road, but I know it is possible.”

Meanwhile, there’s a world to conquer, one match and one season at a time.

“He has the potential to be one of the best in the world at his position,” Dunphy said. “It’s going to be interesting to see what happens. I’m pulling for him. He’s a great guy from a great family. If it’s at all possible, he’s going to be the best.”