He is seven feet tall, full of energy, and not afraid to bust a move. Roman Payne, the middle blocker turning heads for Team USA at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship, went viral for a courtside dance – but he is proving there is a lot more to him than a good groove.

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These days, he is focused on timing his blocks, hitting hard, and making a real impact where it counts.

During a match against Finland in Tashkent, Payne joined the sideline celebration after the first set. “We had just won the first set against Finland and there was new music I’d never heard, dancers on the court, and I was just feeling good,” he recalled. “We’re in a whole new country. I played well in that set, and I just had to let my dance moves out – not gonna lie.”

When the music stopped, his focus shifted back to what he does best. A Best Blocker award from the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championship backs up his presence in the middle, but Payne knows he is just getting started.

“I love to hit the ball. I’m a great attacker,” he said. “But I need to get my blocking up. I need to get some more blocks. I’m seven-foot for a reason. I have a big arm, I hit the ball hard, and ‘see ball, hit ball’ is what I always say.”

He recognises that the level of competition in Tashkent is no joke. “This is the best of the best,” Payne said. “All these teams are the best from their region and qualified for this tournament. No teams here are easy. We went to five with Colombia on Saturday. We can’t underestimate anybody. I think we need to step up our passing, our defense, and just work better as a team. Culture’s first.”

Payne did not start out passionate about volleyball. “My parents actually forced me into playing volleyball,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to play at all. I didn’t think it was a fun sport. But I ended up falling in love with it. I kept pursuing it and got better and better. And now I’m in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, representing USA on the U19 team, which is amazing.”

His older siblings, both college athletes, helped inspire that change. Watching them, he said, made him want to raise his level. “They inspired me to be who I am now.”

Now he is heading to the University of Hawaii, a decision he made after visiting several top programs. “I took visits – about seven or eight different ones,” Payne explained. “I ended up going to Hawaii. I saw the fans, the atmosphere, the island, the beach. I just loved everything about it. The coaches. It was an easy decision. I think it’s a great fit.”

Payne also feels a strong connection to Taylor Averill, a fellow middle blocker who starred at Hawaii and played for Team USA. The two met during training before the NORCECA Championship. “He’s a leader, a role model of mine,” Payne said. “One of the best blockers in the Olympics. I try to learn from his game. He connected with me on Hawaii, and he said it was a great choice. I can always reach out to him if I need anything. He’s a great guy.”

Being seven feet tall tends to draw attention, even off the court. “Usually the first question is, ‘Do you play basketball?’” he said, laughing. “Which is kind of annoying, but I know I’m going to get it for the rest of my life. I love when people come up to me. I love answering questions, taking pictures. After the games here, taking photos with fans from Uzbekistan – it’s really crazy. I’m honored to be here.”

Looking ahead, Payne is already thinking beyond college. “Obviously, play four years, maybe five at Hawaii,” he said. “After that, I want to play professionally. And then my goal is to hopefully get to the Olympics one day.”

That goal is not just talk. “Hopefully the next cycle would be a good time for me to get out there.”

Getting called up to the national team for the first time was a moment that stuck with him. “It kind of proved to me that all this hard work has paid off,” he said. “It changed my mentality. Like, this is the real deal. You have to lock in. It’s not just high school or club volleyball in the U.S., you’re representing your country, and you’re playing against other countries. I was kind of shocked, not gonna lie. But I felt like I deserved it, and all my hard work paid off.”

Payne is building something special, and the biggest moves are still to come

2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: full schedule

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