Follow
UC San Diego stayed in-state to bolster its roster.
The Tritons announced Monday that recent California high school graduates Andrew Boyle, Nick Rigo and Paya Vatanshenas have all committed to join the team for the 2021 season.
“I’m really excited for Andrew, Nick, and Paya to join the program,” coach Kevin Ring said in a statement. “All three are competitive, hard-working players that will fit in great with our team culture. Their addition will help continue our goal of competing for conference and national championships.”
Boyle, a 6-foot-3 setter from La Crescenta, California, was a two-time all-conference honorable mention. He helped lead his high school team to back-to-back postseason appearances. The team in 2020 was 17-3 and on pace to make the postseason again before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rigo, a 6-foot-5 middle attacker from Laguna Niguel, California, was twice named to the first-team all-conference and was an all-county selection last year. With his club team, Rigo won a bronze medal at the 2019 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championship.
Vatanshenas, a 5-foot-10 libero from Irvine, California, during his club career won a gold medal and two bronze medals at the Boys’ Junior National Championship. The libero also was named the most valuable player of his high school team last year.
UC San Diego ended the shortened 2020 season at No. 6 in the national coaches poll and national media poll — its highest ranking in program history. The Tritons were 14-5 and had seven victories against nationally ranked teams.