Men's volleyball signs five for 2015

PROVO, Utah—BYU men’s volleyball head coach Chris McGown announced the team has signed five recruits for the 2015 season.

The recruits will join the team starting in the fall of 2014 as the Cougars train for 2015. Four of the five signees are products of California, and one comes from Pennsylvania. Among the five are two outside hitters, one setter, one middle blocker and one libero.

2015 Recruits

Zach Eschenberg

Outside Hitter
Newbury Park, Calif.
Newbury Park High School
6-6

High School:

• 2012 first-team all-league Marmonte 
• MVP award at NPHS (2013)
• 2013 first-team all-league Marmonte
• 2013 first-team all-county Ventura

Club:

• Plays for Ventura Country Volleyball Club
• Invited to play on the HP A1 national beach team in 2012
• Played on the SoCal HP regional beach team in 2013
• Earned a spot to play at the HP National Beach tournament in 2013

Personal:

• Parents are Michael and Amy
• Earned Eagle Scout award

“We saw the potential for greatness in Zach by his sophomore year in high school, and he has continued to impress us with his physicality and the development of his overall game. He’s got a really nice arm, moves well around the court, and has shown that he really wants to be coached and that he has a drive to become better every day. He’s got a friendly and open personality, and his teammates love playing with him.”

Chandler Gibb

Setter
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Edison High School
6-1

Club:

• Plays for Highline
• 2013 Junior National 17's All tournament team
• 2013 A1 Beach Training Team
• 2013 A1 Indoor Youth Team, second-place finish (High Performance)
• 2013 17's Southern California All Star Team setter

Personal:

• Parents are John and Allison
• Scholar Athlete Award for freshmen, sophomore and junior years
• Honor Roll at Edison High School every year

“Chandler already has great mechanics as a setter, and he’s got a good sense of where and when to distribute the ball.  He’s very solid with his tempo and location, and his quiet competitive drive provides nice on-court leadership.”

Christian Rupert

Middle Blocker
Chalfont, Pa.
Central Bucks High School West
6-7

Club:

• Plays for Yorktowne
• USAV Boys’ Youth National Training Team (2012-13)
• USAV High Performance Boys’ Youth A-1 Team (2012-13)
• Volleyball Magazine’s 25 Underclassmen to Watch (2012-13)
• Pennsylvania All-State Team (2012-13)

Personal:

• Parents are Clarke and Alisa
• National Honor Society
• AP Scholar Award

“Christian was a player that really stood out to us at JO’s this summer.  He moved around the court quickly, worked hard as a blocker and a transition hitter, got up quick and has a really nice arm.  He’s a very positive young man, quick to smile and energetic with his teammates.  We think he’ll make wonderful contributions to our team culture, on and off the court.”

Brenden Sander

Outside Hitter
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Huntington Beach High School
6-5

Club:

• Plays for Balboa Bay
• 2011 – Junior Nationals all-tournament team 15's Open
• 2012 – Junior Nationals all-tournament team 16's Open
• 2012 - VolleyballNow Player of the Year for SCVA 16's Division
• 2013 - VolleyballNow Player of the Year for SCVA 17's Division

Personal:

• Parents are Steve and Kera
• Brother of former Cougar Taylor Sander

“Brenden is a young man that we have wanted here at BYU since we met him four years ago. He’s already developed into a very accomplished player, with solid fundamentals and great court vision. He has the physical gifts to be one of the best outsides in the country, and we are excited to help him expand his potential. He’s a young man of very good character as well and will be a wonderful fit for the culture we have been building here at BYU.”

Erik Sikes

Libero
Coto de Caza, Calif.
Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic High School
6-1

High School:

• Named Trinity League First Team two times
• MVP of high school team
• Named to Orange County Dream Team in 2013
• Broke school digs record and serve receive percentage as a junior

Club:

• Plays for SCVC
• Named 2013 VolleyballNow first-team libero
• Finished third with Youth National Team in 2012 at NORCECA championships
• Named second best receiver and second best defender in NORCECA championships
• Won gold medal at Junior Olympics (2010-11)

Personal:

• Parents are Dena and Lenny

“Erik came onto our radar late in the process, and we were really happily surprised that we had a chance to recruit him. He’s one of the top liberos in his class, with great touch on the ball and very smooth fundamentals. He sees the game very well, and is solid in both serve-receive and defense.  He’s an intense competitor as well, and we feel like he’ll raise the level in our gym and push our team to be better every day.”