Men's Volleyball Loads 2013 With Four Recruits

PROVO, Utah – The three-time National Champion BYU men’s volleyball team has announced four recruits that will be joining the team in the Fall of 2012, for the 2013 athletic season, in four standouts from California and Utah.

Bennett Bird - Outside Hitter
San Diego, CA

Evan Chang - Libero
San Francisco, CA

Joseph Grosh - Middle Blocker
Danville, CA

Benjamin Patch - Outside/Opposite
Provo, UT

“We are very pleased to continue the tradition of attracting high-quality individuals to our program – the young men that have committed to BYU are of outstanding character, they are dedicated academically, and are volleyball players who are willing to work hard to become great," said BYU head coach Chris McGown. " We are excited for their future and ours, and we think they’ll be able to make great contributions in our mission to win championships.”

All four recruits will join the BYU squad with experience playing on the national level through the Youth National Teams and all have played four years, or more, of club volleyball. A well-balanced mix of players will add to the cast of returning players who are gearing up now for the 2012 athletic season that begins in California on Jan. 6.

Bennett Bird

Outside Hitter
San Diego, CA
6' 5

Member of the USA Youth National Beach Team that competed in the 2011 World Championships in Pula, Croatia
Played with the U-17 USA Junior Team in 2010
2011 First Team CIF San Diego
Named to the CIF First Team with his High School team
Awarded MVP of the Palomar League ini his junior season
Awarded All-League Honors in his sophomore season
Competes with Seaside Volleyball Club in San Diego
Holds a 3.47 GPA

Chris McGown on Bennett: “Bennett has good size and moves very smoothly.  The time that he has spent as a beach player has taught him a lot about reading as a defender, and about controlling the angles of the game.  His ball-control is excellent, and he sees the defense well as an attacker.  He also has a nice charisma, and will be a great teammate.”

Evan Chang
Libero
San Francisco, CA
6'

Member of the U.S. Junior National Team & Boys Youth A2 Team
Four-year starter for his High School varsity team
Named 2011 All-City First Team for Soccer
Competes with Mountain View Volleyball Club in Northern California
Member of his high school's Student Admissions Committee

Chris McGown on Evan: “Evan already has very well developed underhand control due to extremely solid mechanics, something you don’t readily find in a young player.  He also has a dogged determination, and wants more than anything to be great.  His love of volleyball combined with his work ethic will lead Evan to great things here at BYU, and we are excited to have him in the gym.”

Joseph Grosh
Middle Blocker
Danville, CA
6' 7

Competes with Mountain View Volleyball Club in Northern California
Played with the USAV Boys Youth A2 Team

Chris McGown on Joe: “Joe moves very well for a 6’7” player, and will be a versatile part of our team.  He implements the coaching he receives well, and is humble and bright – someone that we feel will be fun to train.   He has a good arm and good quickness side to side, which will help him as both an attacker and a blocker.  He is a very good student as well, and will fit in nicely with the strong academic environment here at BYU.”

Benjamin Patch
Outside Hitter/Opposite
Provo, UT
6' 7

Member of the 2011 USA Youth National Team
Named volleyball's MVP for the state of Utah
Won High School State Championships with Provo High School
Competes with Mountain View Volleyball Club in Northern California
2011 Youth Pan American Cup Participant in Mexicali Mexico
2011 Youth World Championships Participant in Argentina
Named in Volleyball Magazine as a Fab 30 & Fab 50 member
Named by Volleyball Magazine as one of the Top 10 recruits for his class
Ranked in the Top 50 of his class academically
Carries a 3.60 GPA 

Chris McGown on Ben:  “Not only does Ben possess the physical gifts to be one of the best in our conference, but he has a love of the game that drives him to keep playing and improving.  In addition, he welcomes feedback and coaching, and processes it well.  He also has the kind of personality that teammates love to be around – he’ll be a wonderful complement to our team culture.”