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copied from Erik Shoji

Erik Thomas Shoji (born August 24, 1989) is a Japanese American professional volleyball player and social media influencer. Recognized for his contributions as a libero, Shoji has gained acclaim both on and off the court. He has been an integral member of the United States national team and has proudly represented his country at the Olympic Games. At the club level, Shoji has honed and showcased his exceptional skills while playing for ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle, a prestigious professional volleyball club. With an impressive athletic career and a growing presence in the digital sphere, Shoji continues to make a lasting impact in the world of volleyball and beyond.

Personal life
Shoji was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai'i. His passion for volleyball began at the age of 7 when his father introduced him to the sport, marking the beginning of a remarkable athletic journey.

Coming from a family deeply entrenched in sports, Erik was exposed to a rich sporting environment from an early age. His father, Dave Shoji, holds a prominent place in women's volleyball history as the highly successful head coach for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Wahine Volleyball team. Meanwhile, his mother, Mary Shoji, a former basketball player at the University of Hawai'i, later found her calling coaching volleyball at Punahou School.

Erik's siblings also inherited the family's athletic genes. His older brother, Kawika Shoji, emerged as a professional volleyball player, specializing as a setter, and even represented the United States national team. Erik's sister, Cobey, showcased her volleyball skills at both the University of Las Vegas and the University of Michigan, further cementing their family's connection to the sport. Additionally, Erik's cousin, Malia, currently serves as the head coach for UNLV volleyball, while his uncle Tom has also made valuable contributions as a volleyball coach.

Beyond his notable achievements on the court, Erik Shoji takes pride in his Asian-American heritage and actively shares his cultural roots with others. As a descendant of Japanese Americans, he holds a special connection to his grandparents' heritage and celebrates it through various avenues. Moreover, Erik serves as an Equal Jersey Ambassador for the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), using his platform to promote equality and inclusion in the sport.

Erik Shoji's influence extends into the digital realm, where he engages with fans and fellow enthusiasts through his YouTube channel and TikTok page. On his YouTube channel, he offers reactions to volleyball videos, vlogs about his experiences, and engaging discussions about the sport. Simultaneously, his TikTok presence showcases not only his passion for volleyball but also his participation in online challenges and trends, further expanding his reach and connection with a wider audience.

Career
Shoji's educational journey began at Punahou School in Honolulu, where he demonstrated exceptional prowess in both volleyball and tennis, garnering numerous accolades. Throughout his tenure, Shoji's remarkable athletic abilities propelled him to secure a remarkable array of achievements, including four-time All-State First-Team distinctions and two prestigious All-America selections in volleyball. Additionally, he triumphed in three separate instances as a volleyball player, clinching state titles for his school. Demonstrating equal competence on the tennis court, Shoji achieved the distinction of being a two-time All-State honoree and secured a state title in this sport as well.

Shoji's talent and dedication were not confined to his school endeavors alone. As an integral member of the Outrigger Canoe Volleyball Club, he contributed significantly to the team's success, ultimately clinching a noteworthy silver medal at the esteemed Junior Olympics. Such achievements merited Shoji the honor of an All-Tournament selection, further underscoring his exceptional skill and strategic acumen. Even during his high school years, Shoji's capabilities transcended national boundaries. He had the privilege of representing the United States youth national team, proudly donning the national colors while showcasing his aptitude on the international stage.

Throughout his collegiate volleyball career, he amassed an impressive collection of awards and accolades. As a freshman in 2009, he burst onto the scene, being named the AVCA's national Newcomer of the Year and receiving first-team All-American honors. His exceptional defensive skills were evident as he set the unofficial national record for digs in a season with an astounding 447, leading the nation in both total digs and digs per set. He was also recognized with a spot on the All-MPSF second team and the All-MPSF freshmen team.

Continuing his outstanding performance, he earned his second consecutive AVCA first-team All-America honor in his sophomore year (2010). Not only did he excel in digs, leading the MPSF and ranking fourth in the nation with an average of 3.46 digs per game, but he also showcased his versatility as an alternative setter. Additionally, he received NCAA and MPSF All-Tournament honors, further solidifying his reputation as a top player. Academically, he was recognized with a place on the MPSF All-Academic team and was the proud recipient of the Stanford Athletic Board's Block "S" Outstanding Male Sophomore Award.

In his junior year (2011), he continued to dominate the volleyball court, earning his third consecutive AVCA first-team All-America honor. He set a new record for career digs at Stanford, surpassing 1,098 digs across all eras. His consistent defensive prowess was evident as he recorded the third-best single-season dig total for a Cardinal player in the rally-scoring era, tallying 286 digs. Notably, he showcased his leadership skills by ranking second on the team in assists, proving his all-around contribution to the team's success. He was honored with a spot on the All-MPSF second team and once again demonstrated his dedication to academics, earning a place on the MPSF All-Academic team.

As a senior in 2012, he made history by becoming the first player to earn four consecutive first-team All-America honors in the history of the AVCA. His unparalleled performance on the volleyball court solidified his legacy as one of the greatest liberos in collegiate volleyball history. He was named AVCA first-team All-American and made the All-MPSF first team, receiving recognition for his exceptional defensive skills. Moreover, his outstanding contributions were acknowledged through multiple awards, including being named to the MPSF All-Tournament team and earning both AVCA and MPSF Player of the Week honors. His dedication and achievements extended beyond the volleyball court, as he was bestowed with the prestigious Biff Hoffman Award as Stanford's Outstanding Male Senior by the Stanford Athletic Board.

From the beginning of his collegiate career to his final year, he left an indelible mark on the sport of volleyball. His unparalleled defensive prowess, record-breaking achievements, and numerous awards solidify his status as one of the most accomplished and respected players in collegiate volleyball history.

Shoji has gained extensive experience competing for various clubs in different countries such as Austria, Germany, and Poland throughout his professional career. Additionally, he has had the opportunity to represent the US national team and the US Olympic team, allowing him to visit numerous countries. Erik's talent and dedication have earned him several notable individual awards, including recognition for his exceptional digging, receiving, defending, and libero skills. He has played a significant role in leading his teams to both national and international championships, with the most recent accomplishment being their triumph in the Polish Cup final, where they secured the gold medal.

Club

 * CEV Champions League
 * Gold_medal_europe.svg 2021–22 – with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle


 * CEV Cup
 * Simple_gold_cup.svg 2015–16 – with Berlin Recycling Volleys


 * National championships
 * 2005−06 Silver_medal_northamerica.svg Junior Olympics, with Outrigger Canoe Volleyball Club
 * 2013–14 Simple_gold_cup.svg Austrian Cup, with Hypo Tirol Innsbruck
 * 2013–14 Gold_medal_with_cup.svg Austrian Championship, with Hypo Tirol Innsbruck
 * 2015–16 Simple_gold_cup.svg German Cup, with Berlin Recycling Volleys
 * 2015–16 Gold_medal_with_cup.svg German Championship, with Berlin Recycling Volleys
 * 2021–22 Simple_gold_cup.svg Polish Cup, with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
 * 2021–22 Gold_medal_with_cup.svg Polish Championship, with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
 * 2022–23 Simple_gold_cup.svg Polish Cup, with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle

Youth national team

 * 2006 Silver_medal_northamerica.svg NORCECA U19 Championship

Individual awards

 * 2007: FIVB U19 World Championship – Best digger
 * 2008: NORCECA U21 Championship – Best receiver
 * 2008: NORCECA U21 Championship – Best defender
 * 2008: NORCECA U21 Championship – Best libero
 * 2015: FIVB World Cup – Best libero
 * 2019: FIVB Nations League – Best libero