BYU volleyball coach Tom Peterson has announced that 10 new players and three returned missionaries will join the men's volleyball team for the 2006 season.
"This is a very good recruiting class," Peterson said. "They'll be good after we get a chance to work with them. It's hard to start as a newcomer, but depending on how hard they work and a few other factors, a few of these guys could earn a spot in the rotation."
The top high school recruits include 6-foot-6 middle blocker Ryan Oates from Wheaton, Ill.; 5-10 libero Andy Pompei from Fairview Park, Ohio; and 6-8 outside hitter Va'a Futi Tavana from Kalaheo, Hawaii. Oates and Pompei were Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selections. Pompei was a Mizuno High School First-Team All-American, while Oates made the second team.
The class also includes Rodrigo Gomes, a 6-2 outside hitter from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Yamil Perez, a 6-1 setter from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Gomes will compete for time this season, while Perez will have the chance to learn from senior Rob Neilson, the starting setter.
Jonathan Charette and Joshua Allen are transfer students from junior colleges. Charette, a 6-2 opposite hitter from Fullerton, Calif., played two years at Long Beach City College, where he earned state MVP honors as a freshman and conference MVP honors as a sophomore. Allen, a 6-4 middle blocker from Hacienda Heights, Calif., played two years at Golden West Community College, earning all-conference honors both years and player of the year honors last season.
Quentin Smith from Sandy (Skyline High School) joins two other players from Utah, Matt Heyes and Bryan Stewart. The final two recruits are Curtis Cohun, a 6-5 outside hitter from Calabasas Hills, Calif., and Christopher Underwood, a 6-3 outside hitter from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Three Cougars who red-shirted before serving LDS missions are back. Chip Neff is a 6-4 setter from Thousand Oaks, Calif. Shawn Mauina is a 6-1 outside hitter from Henderson, Nev. Nick Tauaese is a 6-3 outside hitter.
"These players bring a lot of talent to the team," Peterson said. "They will add needed depth and competition in the gym to help us be more prepared for matches."