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UCLA has reloaded with a recruiting class featuring multiple all-state selections and individuals who have competed at international tournaments.
Recent high school graduates Ethan Hill, Mads Kyed Jensen, Cole Ketrzynski, Alex Knight, Merrick McHenry, Marcus Partain, Cole Power and Kyle Vom Steeg have all committed to play for the Bruins beginning in 2020.
Hill, a 6-foot-7 middle attacker from San Juan Capistrano, California, helped lead the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team to the silver medal at the 2018 NORCECA U19 Continental Championship and a berth in the upcoming FIVB U19 World Championship. He also was a multiple time first-team all-state selection with his high school team and and multiple time All-Tournament Team selection at the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships with his club team.
Jensen, a 6-foot-10 setter, is a member of the Danish Men’s National Team and helped his country finish in third place at the 2019 CEV Volleyball Silver League. He also was named both the Best Setter and Most Valuable Player at the U17 Nordic Championships.
Ketrzynski, a 6-foot-7 outside attacker from Toronto, Canada, was a member of the Canadian Boys’ Youth National Team. In addition, Ketrzynski helped his club team win a Canadian Youth Championship.
Knight, a 6-foot-6 outside attacker from Santa Monica, California, helped the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team qualify for the 2019 U19 World Championship. He also led his club team to a bronze medal at the 2018 Boys’ Junior National Championships and was named to the 2018 All-Tournament Team.
McHenry, a 6-foot-7 outside attacker, is one of the first players from Texas to join UCLA in the program’s history. Along with participating on the U.S. Men’s Junior National Training Team, McHenry was an all-state long jumper while in high school.
Patain, a 6-foot-3 setter from Los Angeles, led his high school team to back-to-back sectional championships and was named to the All-City Team in multiple seasons. He also has been a member of the USA Volleyball A1 High Performance Beach National Team since 2015.
Power, a 5-foot-11 libero from Huntington Beach, California, earned All-Tournament honors at the 2017 and 2018 Boys’ Junior National Championships. He also was a member of the 2018 U.S. Boys’ Youth National Training Team.
Vom Steeg, a 6-foot-7 opposite from Aliso Viejo, California, earned all-state honors multiple times during his high school career. He also helped his club team win back-to-back gold medals at the Boys’ Junior National Championship.
UCLA one year removed from making the NCAA Tournament finals ended last season reaching the MPSF Tournament semifinals and was in contention for the final at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Among the starters returning to the Bruins for the upcoming season includes All-American middle attacker Daenen Gyimah.