Lloy Ball sang the national anthem with gusto Sunday, which he does to honor his grandparents every time it is played. This time it meant more than ever, coming during the medal ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.

Ball became the third Fort Wayne athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, joining swimmers Sharon Wichman-Jones (1968) and Matt Vogel (1976), as the U.S. men's volleyball team defeated Brazil 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23.

On his fourth try, after 14 years starting as the team's setter, the 36-year-old Woodburn native and former IPFW all-American won his first Olympic medal, helping the Americans rally from a 20-17 fourth-game deficit.

Then he ran into the stands to jump into the arms of his wife Sarah, son Dyer, 7, and his parents, Arnie and Sandy. His family made the trip to Beijing just as they had to Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. Though his team on the court kept changing, his team off the court provided consistent encouragement.

“After a quick team chaos of hugging, I got over to Sarah as soon as possible,” Ball said. “She was in tears, my mom and I had a nice cry. Dad, who I haven't seen cry too many times, was really emotional. I just needed to share this with them as soon as possible.

“This was for our family. As much as it was a personal vindication for all the sacrifices I've made, they have sacrificed just as much. They gave up so much and helped push me to get back to this place where I finally got it done.”

Ball's team won more matches during this Olympics than his other three teams combined, going 8-0. As they did several times during the more important matches, the Americans lost the first game and then regrouped, continually hanging around until they could make late charges to win.

“We all wanted a gold medal very badly, and it adds to a little anxiousness,” Ball said. “I don't think it was our best match, but I think (Brazil) felt more pressure than we did. When we started coming back, all of a sudden their eyes were getting real big.

“We just kept grinding it out. It wasn't real pretty. It's not luck, but things were going our way. All the hard work and effort the guys put in every day culminated in this win. It was another example of us all sticking together and helping each other grind it out.”

Ball finished with 90 assists and 10 digs as the Americans beat the defending Olympic champions, who were trying to become the first champion to defend its title since the Americans in 1988.

It was also the end of a tumultuous and emotional 17 days for the American team. Before the team even played a match, coach Hugh McCutcheon's father-in-law was killed and his mother-in-law was gravely injured when they were attacked by a man with a knife the day the Olympics opened. McCutcheon missed the team's first three matches but came back to help them win the championship.

“It hit everybody a little bit afterwards,” Ball said. “It was an underlying thing the whole tournament, and it was nice to have the picture of him holding one of the medals. The guys blocked it out as much as possible, but this win for him hopefully puts a positive light on a horrific situation for everyone and his family. It would have been the worst thing possible for us not to give our best effort under those circumstances. The guys put it all on the line.”

As a way to change his Olympic luck, the always-superstitious Ball decided not to shave during the tournament. He may have a little trouble using a razor near the medal hanging around his neck.

“I can't tell you how many people have come up to us and congratulated us and talked about how happy they were for us,” said Ball's father Arnie, coach of IPFW's men's volleyball team. “This is finally the payoff. The medal is heavy, and let me tell you, when they raise your flag and play the anthem, it's an amazing moment.”

Especially while singing your heart out.