CHICAGO (December 2, 2018) - The Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball program announced on Sunday (Dec. 2) the addition of seven student-athletes for the 2019-20 academic year.
The seven newcomers are set to join the team for the 2020 season. The class features four pin hitters and one libero, setter and middle blocker, all of whom will compete for playing time with a talented crop of current Ramblers.
"I thoroughly enjoyed recruiting each of these guys, not just because we think they will have a big impact on the program, but because they are outstanding young men," head coach
Mark Hulse said. "They are all used to competing at a high level, and we look forward to having them as part of our program."
Jack Yentz | 6-6 | OH | Fr. | Sun Prairie, Wis.
Yentz provides Hulse with depth on the pins coming from the Milwaukee Volleyball Club (MVC) up in Wisconsin. The 6-6 outside hitter has competed against the best in his age group, being a part of teams that finished third at the 15s and 16s age group nationals. Yentz was also named to the All-Tournament team after MVC's run though nationals his 16s year.
"I knew the moment I visited Loyola that I wanted to go here. The coaches are great, the players are great and the campus is unbelievable - right on the water and only a couple minutes from downtown." -Jack Yentz.
Brian Voight | 6-5 | S | Fr. | New Berlin, Wis.
Another product of the Milwaukee Volleyball Club, Voight tallied 1,071 assists in 2018 playing alongside Yentz. Possessing good size at the setter position, Voight captains a successful New Berlin United team that was a Wisconsin State Tournament Semifinalist in 2015 and 2016. Already holding the school record for career assists, Voight earned First Team All-State nods in 2018, and was a First Team All-Conference selection three years in a row (2016-18).
"I had three primary criteria that I was looking for in a school: academics, strength of program, and team chemistry. It was obvious from the first time I visited the campus that Loyola and its volleyball program met all three. I'm beyond excited to be attending a university that exceeds my expectations." -Brian Voight.
Colman Chadam | 6-5 | OH | Fr. | Diablo, Calif.
Chadam is a four-year letterwinner in varsity volleyball at Monte Vista High School in Danville, Calif. He is a team captain and was named First Team All-Conference for the 2018 Boys High School season. The 6-5 outside hitter has been a member of the Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy since 2017 and was a 16 Open Bronze Medalist that same year.
"I chose Loyola because of its strength in Economics and Business. I wanted to play at the highest level with coaches and a community who really care about the sport. In the end, it feels like an extended family." -Colman Chadam.
Jake Maffett | 6-4 | OH | Fr. | Lakewood, Calif.
A highly touted recruit out of the Southern California region, Maffett was selected to the USA Volleyball High-Performance A1 in 2017 and 2018, and was also an alternate for the Youth National Team in 2018. Maffett is entering his fourth season on the Los Alamitos High School varsity boys volleyball team, and will look to build off the momentum from being named to the All-Tournament team in the Orange County Championships his junior year.
"I chose Loyola because of the combination of academic prowess, a coaching staff that would help me excel, and the multitude of new opportunities Loyola offers." -Jake Maffett.
Taylan Cook | 6-2 | L | Fr. | Carlsbad, Calif.
Cook split his high school years between suburban Denver and his current hometown of Carlsbad, Calif. Prior to the move, Cook was a 2x Colorado 5A State Champion at Legacy High School and was named to the 2015 BJNC 15 Club All-Tournament Team for his club team's run to the 15s championship. The libero capped off his prep career in Southern California as a Valley League champion (2018) and a San Diego County Boys Beach Volleyball Open Division champion (2018).
"I chose Loyola because of the amazing coaching staff, great academics, and to have a chance to win a national championship." - Taylan Cook.
Colton Brooks | 6-4 | OH | Fr. | Pleasanton, Calif.
Brooks comes to Rogers Park as a 2x Athletic League Champion at Amador High School (2017-18), and brings a plethora of leadership experience, captaining both his high school and club teams. His success with the Bay To Bay Volleyball Club earned him national recognition on the VolleyballMag.com Top-25 Underclassmen to Watch list, and had the opportunity to showcase his skills in the Boys Junior National Championships where he won a gold medal.
"I chose Loyola because of the incredible campus, programs, and people. The atmosphere in Chicago is one that I can see myself enjoying for many years, and I look forward to playing under such experienced coaches and players." - Colton Brooks.
Anton Frank | 6-9 | MB | Fr. | Berlin, Germany
The lone middle blocker in the early period recruiting class comes from Germany. Listed at 6-9, Frank brings over winning prestige, starting with a first place finish in the United World Games in 2017. His successful track record doesn't stop there, complementing the first place finish by being a part of a third place team at the U20 German Championships in 2018, and a second place team on the U18 circuit the year before that. He has been the captain of his youth team since 2016: Berlin TSC.
"The reason I chose Loyola is to play high level volleyball with a great team and very nice coaches, as well as going to a college with a magnificent looking campus." - Anton Frank.
#OnwardLU
