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A high school conference player of the year and a multiple high school state champion will be among newest recruits joining Penn State.
Penn State announced Thursday that high school seniors Luke Braswell, Jason Donorovich and Calvin Mende all signed national letters of intent to play for the Nittany Lions starting in 2016.
“I think we have some outstanding skill and size in this class,” coach Mark Pavlik said in a statement. “This class includes guys from winning programs, who have worked really hard to reach the level of play that they have been displaying throughout their interscholastic and club careers.”
Braswell, a 6-foot-5 setter from Manchester, Pennsylvania, has won back-to-back state championships with his high school team and was an all-state selection as a junior. In addition, he is the brother of St. Francis sophomore outside attacker Stephen Braswell.
Donorovich, a 6-foot-8 outside attacker from Lockport, New York, earned the 2014 All-Western New York Conference Player of the Year award. As a three-year starter on his high school team, Donorovich has been a two-time all-conference team selection.
Calvin Mende, a 6-foot-11 opposite from Redlands, California, will be one of the tallest college men’s volleyball players in the nation when he joins the Nittany Lions. He also is a two-sport high school athlete playing volleyball and water polo and recently was one of four individuals in his school district to receive the Outstanding Student Athlete award.
Penn State finished last season winning its 15th consecutive EIVA championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals. The Nittany Lions return all but one of their starters for the upcoming season, including All-American outside attacker Aaron Russell.
Hey Vinny,
Please do a an article like this for Loyola. Their incoming freshmen are TALL and come from a very good club program. Their new Opp is also 6’11” and middles are now both 6’10”. Penn State is a good program in a very weak conference. Penn State gets a gift every year, a trip to the final final 6. Loyola is back this year with a very strong team. Thanks again for all you do for the sport.
Sw,
Thanks for the comment. I’d give some credit to the rest of the EIVA. Conference is improving last couple years especially with teams like Princeton, Harvard and George Mason. In addition, we’ll definitely do something on Loyola’s new recruiting class once it officially announces all its recruits.