Freshman All-American departs UCLA to join Italian professional team

Photo courtesy of UCLA

A Freshman All-American has turned pro after one season at UCLA.

The Italian professional team NBV Verona announced during the weekend that it signed Mads Kyed Jensen and he could be on the active roster as soon as Sunday for the team’s upcoming match.

Kyed Jensen was third in the NCAA with a 0.60 aces per game average during the shortened 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 6-foot-10 hybrid setter and opposite guided the Bruins to finish the season in the nation’s top 10 with a .302 attack percentage and had at least five kills in 10 matches.

<

Along with being a Freshman All-American, Kyed Jensen was a finalist for the National Server of the Year and an All-MPSF Honorable Mention.

Kyed Jensen was already a member of the Danish Men’s National Team when he joined UCLA. He helped his home country finish in third place at the 2019 CEV Volleyball Silver League.

NBV Verona competes in the Serie A1 of the Italian Volleyball League. The team’s roster also features outside attacker Thomas Jaeschke, a former Loyola All-American and current member of the U.S. Men’s National Team.

UCLA concluded the 2020 season in fourth place in the MPSF and was ranked No. 9 in both the national coaches poll and national media poll.