Dec. 3, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's volleyball head coach Mark Pavlik has announced the addition of three future Nittany Lions who have all signed a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period.
Joining the team at the start of the 2017 season, the Nittany Lion recruiting class features middle blocker/outside hitter, Cameron Bartus (West Seneca, New York), middle hitter/opposite, Kyle Mackiewicz (Edison, N.J.) and outside hitter/middle, Bobby Wilden (Ashburn, Va.)
"I think we have some outstanding skill and size in this class," Pavlik said. "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."
Cameron Bartus
Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter - 6'10" - West Seneca, N.Y. -West Seneca West High School
Bartus, who attended the same high school as former Nittany Lion great and current men's volleyball team USA standout Matt Anderson, holds the WSW single season kills record. He was also a team captain and MVP during his sophomore and junior seasons.
Coach Pavlik on Bartus: "He can virtually play every position in the front row. He comes from a traditionally good volleyball high school (West Seneca West), the same high school that Matt Anderson is from. The coaching he gets there with Brett Widman is amongst the best in the nation. The physical tools he has been blessed with will provide him opportunities to grow at this level of the game."
Kyle Mackiewicz
Opposite/Middle Hitter - 6'8" - Edison, N.J. - Edison High School
A three-year letter winner at Edison HS, Mackiewicz is a two-time All-Conference selection. Coached by Chris Siddayao and Anthony Valbrun on the Atlantic Valley Volleyball Club and Warren Sixpack squad, respectively, Mackiewicz earned multiple Player of the Year honors as well as being a team captain and MVP during his sophomore and junior seasons. Mackiewicz's mother, played volleyball at Esporte Clube Pinheiros in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Coach Pavlik on Mackiewicz: "Kyle has a lot of strength. He has been around some high level volleyball with his mom playing in the Brazilian team ladder. Kyle is starting to use his size and strength. He can be in the middle; he can play opposite. He's got a great arm and a very good work ethic. He's going to be someone who surprises a lot of people in the near future."
Bobby Wilden
Opposite - 6'8" - Ashburn, Va. - Northern Virginia Volleyball Association
Wilden, coached by Lance Rodgers and Joe Norton of the Northern Virginia Volleyball Association, was a part of back-to-back East Coast Championships in 2012 and 2013, followed by an 8th-place finish in 2014 at the national championships. Wilden was also a part of the USA youth national training team.
Coach Pavlik on Wilden: "Bobby reminds me of an Aaron Russell type player; he's long and lean and moves well. His movement skills belie the fact that he is 6'-9". He is a very versatile player that could play any position on the court. His upside is really tantalizing for what we feel he could grow into during his time at Penn State."
Penn State men's volleyball is set to open the 2016 season at home in Rec Hall against USC. Penn State will host the 2016 NCAA men's volleyball championships May 5-7.
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