CHICAGO (November 21, 2019) – Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball head coach Mark Hulse announced the signing of eight new student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The Ramblers have added Jonathan Drysdale-Anderson (Surrey, England/Tasis England), Josh Gottlieb (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South), Dan Mangun (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy), Jack Martel (St. Louis, Mo./Kirkwood), Ben Montplaisir (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge), Matt Oakley (Carlsbad, Calif./Sage Creek), Justin Ross (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson), Parker Van Buren (Cross Plains, Wis./Middleton) who are scheduled to debut in the 2020-21 academic year.
 
"This is a big class for us, not just in numbers, but in potential," Hulse said. "It is full of big physical guys, high volleyball IQ's, and a collective desire to compete for national championships. The group gives us added depth, physicality, and competition at every position, not to mention eight special and motivated young men who will continue to uphold the high standards of our program. We're honored to have them aboard and we're looking forward to watching them develop."
 
 
JONATHAN DRYSDALE-ANDERSON
OPP | 6'5
Surrey, England | Tasis England
 
Three-time MVP of the International Schools Sports Tournament (ISST) European Volleyball Tournament (2016, 2017, 2018)…Named U15, U16 and U18 Nationals MVP after leading all three teams to the National Championship… Two-time MVP for Richmond Volleyball Club Men's Super League…Named 2019 MVP of the ISAA Conference European Volleyball Tournament…Guided team to ISST Tournament Finals three times (2016, 2017, 2018)…Led Tasis England to ISST Championship in 2016 and ISAA Championship in 2019…Finished with 58 points in Northern European Championship…Plays club for Richmond Volleyball.
 
Hulse on Drysdale-Anderson: "Jonathan impressed us with his dedication to the sport, not just indoors but also on the beach. He has represented British volleyball all across Europe, and we will benefit from his high volleyball IQ, love of the game, and international experience."
 
 
JOSH GOTTLIEB
OH/OPP |6'6
Wheaton, Ill. | Wheaton Warrenville South
 
Helped lead team to a fifth place finish in the USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championship 18 Open…Earned DuKane All-Conference (2019), Daily Herald All-Area First Team (2019), All-State Honorable Mention (2019), the WWS Thomas Jaeschke Attacking Award (2019) and DuPage Valley Conference Special Mention (2018)…Totaled 481 kills, 63 blocks, 17 aces and 176 digs in his career…Plays club for Sports Performance.
 
Hulse on Gottlieb: "Josh is another big physical pin hitter who we think could grow within the program. He has a great pedigree both from club and high school ball, and we enjoyed getting to work with him at camps and clinics over the years. His desire to grow and enthusiasm for the game will be assets immediately."
 
 
DAN MANGUN
S | 6'4
Joliet, Ill. | Joliet Catholic Academy
 
Two-time All-East Suburban Catholic Conference Selection (2018, 2019)… Member of the 2019 USA Youth A1 Team and 2018 USA Youth Continental Team…Named to the 2018 Herald-News All-Area Team…Helped lead team to back-to-back Southwest Classic Championships (2018, 2019) and 2018 Dennis Lafata Boy's Qualifier Championship…Plays for Uno Volleyball Club.
 
Hulse on Mangun: "Dan is a pure setter, but also a natural leader and competitor on the court. He has been setting a dynamic offense for years and leading his teams at a high level. We love the way he captains the teams he is a part of, and we look forward to watching him work with the athletes we have in the gym."
 
 
JACK MARTEL
MB | 6'6
St. Louis, Mo. | Kirkwood
 
Named 2019 All-District and 2019 All-Suburban XII Conference…Two-sport athlete, lettering in volleyball and basketball at Kirkwood High School…Registered 225 kills in 2019 for an average of 3.46 kills per set…Tallied 43 solo blocks, while assisting in 10 to average .82 blocks per set…Plays club for High Performance St. Louis.
 
Hulse on Martel- "Jack is a big physical guy who has a very high ceiling. He is still somewhat new to the sport, which makes him even more fun to watch. He understands how to work hard on and off the court, and we think he could flourish here at Loyola."
 
 
BEN MONTPLAISIR
MB | 6'6
Irvine, Calif. | Woodbridge
 
Team Captain junior and senior year…Named All-Pacific Coast League First Team…Named All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section…Helped lead Woodbridge to 2019 state playoffs for the first time in eight years…Plays for Orange Coast Volleyball Club.
 
Hulse on Montplaisir- "You can't help but enjoy watching Ben play volleyball. He's a tremendous athlete with an elite motor, but also a great teammate. His enthusiasm, combined with his competitive drive, makes him a force on the court and we are excited to see his impact on the team and our culture."
 
 
MATT OAKLEY
L | 6'1
Carlsbad, Calif. | Sage Creek
 
First four-year starter in Sage Creek Varsity Boys Volleyball history…Sage Creek all-time leader in sets played, serve receives and digs…Three-time Defensive Player of the Year…Three-time All-Valley League honoree...Team Captain senior year…Two-time USA Volleyball High Performance National Training Program Selection… Helped lead Sage Creek to three Valley League Championships (2017, 2018, 2019), the San Diego Section Open Division Finals (2019), CIF Southern Regional Quarterfinals (2019), San Diego Open Division Beach Volleyball Championship (2018), San Diego Sectional Championship (2017), and CIF Southern Region State Championship (2017)…Earned CIF "Pursuing Victory with Honor" award for performance in State Championship (2017)…Competed with USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championships Open Division four consecutive years…Plays for Orange Coast Volleyball Club.
 
Hulse on Oakley- "Matt impressed us with his poise as much as with his platform, and we think he can raise the level of play throughout the gym with his consistency and competitiveness. He's cool and collected in tough moments, and understands how to work for and with his teammates."
 
 
JUSTIN ROSS
MB | 6'8
Buffalo Grove, Ill. | Adlai E. Stevenson

Named to the 2019 North Suburban Conference All-Conference Team, the Chicago Tribune All-Area Team, the Lake County All-Area Team, the News-Sun Boys Volleyball All-Area Team and Volleyballmag.com's 2019 Boys 25 Underclassmen To Watch List… Co-captain junior and senior year…Participated in USA Volleyball's 2019 A1 Training Camp…Helped lead Adversity Volleyball Club to 13^th place finish in 2019 18s Open at Boy's Junior Nationals and 2^nd place finish in 16s Club at 2018 Boy's Junior Nationals…
 
Hulse on Ross- "Justin is stellar in all that he does, and his enthusiasm is contagious. He's a tall, strong middle with good mechanics and a heavy arm, making him pretty tough. He has a ton of potential, and he's already working hard, which is a promising combination."
 
 
PARKER VAN BUREN
OH | 6'9
Cross Plains, Wis. | Middleton
 
Earned 2019 All-State First Team honors, Big 8 Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference…Set Middleton record for single season kills with 509 (.467 hitting percentage)…Named to 2018 All-State Second Team, All-Conference First Team and was named team MVP…Helped lead Middleton to state-runner up finish in 2018…Plays for Milwaukee Volleyball Club who finished 10^th in Nationals in 2018…Registered 906 kills in high school career including 53 aces senior year.
 
Hulse on Van Buren – "As a long, springy outside hitter, Parker is an exceptional athlete who has unlimited potential in our sport. He's a three-sport athlete in high school, and he understands how to work hard and improve in his craft. We look forward to getting him into the gym and watching him continue to grow."