Former USC All-American Dave Yoder dies of leukemia

A former All-American and all-conference outside attacker for USC died during the weekend.

Dave Yoder, 46 years old, died Friday in Mission Viejo, Calif., after a lengthy battle with lymphocytic leukemia.

Yoder was a four-year starting outside attacker at USC from 1984-87 and helped lead the Trojans to three Final Four appearances. As a senior, he was named a Second-Team All-American and to the all-conference second-team.

Yoder during his junior season was also an All-American Honorable Mention as USC won the conference championship and reached the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.

More than 20 years since ending his college career, Yoder is still the school’s single-season record holder for matches with double-digit kills, accomplishing the feat 37 times as a senior in 1987. He also remains one of two Trojans to have two matches with more than 20 kills and 20 digs.

While at USC, Yoder played for his older brother Bob Yoder — who was the Trojans head coach from 1982-89.

Following his time at USC, Dave Yoder played professional volleyball in Belgium in 1987 and pro beach volleyball in 1988 before retiring to start a career in real estate development.

Dave Yoder was one of four members of his family to play volleyball at USC. Bob Yoder prior to coaching the Trojans was an All-American and led USC to the 1977 NCAA championship. His niece, Erin, is a junior defensive specialist on the No. 1 USC women’s volleyball team, while his nephew, Paul, is a freshman libero/outside hitter on the USC men’s volleyball team.

Along with his family’s USC ties, Dave Yoder’s nephew, Cory, was an All-American outside attacker at UC Irvine and helped the Anteaters win the 2009 NCAA championship.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at Casino San Clemente. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo or blood can be donated via the American Red Cross.

Dave Yoder is survived by his wife, Karen, and children, Molly (a freshman libero on the UC Irvine women’s volleyball team) and Lucas (a junior on San Clemente High’s volleyball team), plus his mother, June, brothers, Bob, Jim and Paul, sister, Mary, and 14 nephews and nieces.