Nov. 24, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's volleyball head coach Mark Pavlik has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Penn State welcomes Taylor Hammond, Aaron Russell and Matthew Seifert, who will be eligible to compete for the Nittany Lions in the 2011-12 season.
Hammond is a 6-3 setter from Mission Viejo, Calif. A three-year letterwinner, Hammond has led Eagles of Santa Margarita Catholic to a 54-16 scholastic record during the last two seasons and the 2009 and 2010 Trinity League Championship. The Eagles were also semi-finalists in the 2010 CIF Championship and the 2010 Best of the West. A two-time Trinity League First Team honoree, Hammond also competes in beach volleyball where he was the 2010 California Beach Volleyball Association's (CBVA) Youth Tour Points Champion and the 2010 CBVA State Cup Champion. Hammond plays for the Balboa Bay 18 Quicksilver club team in Newport Beach, Calif.
"Taylor has shown his setting abilities at the highest scholastic and club levels and he will get a year to integrate himself to this level of play as he learns from Edgardo Goas and Tor Covello," said Pavlik. "His personality will only aid his development as a collegiate setter."
Russell is a 6-8 middle blocker from Ellicott City, Md. He'll be joining his older brother, freshman Peter Russell. A three-year varsity letterwinner, Russell has earned First Team All-Country and Honorable Mention All-State Accolades competing for Centennial High. Russell also competes with the Maryland Volleyball Program out of Rockville, Md. He was a member of the 2010 Youth National Team and was named the Best Blocker at the 2010 NORCECA Championships. Russell is also a three-year letterwinner in soccer.
"Aaron is very dynamic and athletic," said Pavlik. "His versatility on the court could enable him to play just about any position. His experience at the middle blocking position gained at the international level should serve him well at the collegiate level. It is always a bonus when the next generation of Nittany Lions follows in their father's footsteps."
Seifert is a 6-9 middle hitter from Reading, Pa. He is a three-year varsity letterwinner at Exeter Township Senior High where he recently guided the Eagles to a 23-5 record, the 2010 Berks Championships and a runner-up finish in District 3. Seifert earned First Team All-Berks and First Team All-District 3 laurels in 2010. He also competes for the Yorktowne Volleyball Club in York, Pa. In addition to volleyball, Seifert is a two-year letterwinner in football and four-year letterwinner in basketball.
"Matt is a very exciting prospect for the next several years," said Pavlik. "He certainly can have a presence on the court with his size, strength and athletic ability. His volleyball development will bring a very physical nature to our court."
Penn State opens the 2011 season at the Outrigger Invitational in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Nittany Lions take on UCLA, the host Warriors and Ball State Jan. 13-15. The Lions host Saint Francis (Pa.) in their home opener on Friday, Jan. 15 before welcoming Springfield on Saturday, Jan. 22.
The Nittany Lions host the 2011 NCAA Semifinals and Finals on Thursday and Saturday, May 5 and 7 at Rec Hall.
For more information on the Penn State men's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State men's volleyball 2011 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets at Hershey.