Men's Volleyball Inks TwoMen's Volleyball Inks Two

Men's Volleyball Inks Two

Dec. 1, 2016

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's volleyball head coach Mark Pavlik has announced the addition of two future Nittany Lions who have signed a National Letter of Intent during the early signing period.

Joining the team at the start of the 2018 season, the Nittany Lion recruiting class features middle Outside Hitter, Will Bantle (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Outside Hitter, Outside Hitter, Henry Payne (Clarence, New York)

Henry Payne
Outside Hitter - 6'4" - Clarence, New York - Clarence High School

Payne, a three-year letter winner and Clarence varsity boys' volleyball all-time record holder in career attempts (3,397) and kills (1,668), looks to head to Happy Valley as a highly decorated player having captured 2016 MVP honors at both the Sweet Home Invitational Tournament and the Orchard Park Invitational Tournament in 2015 and 2016, All-Western New York First Team All Star honors, 2016 ECIC Division I Sportsmanship Award, 2016 NYSPHSAA Boys Volleyball All-Star Team member, 2014 ECIC First-Team All-Star and earned a nomination for 2016 AVCA/NYVCA Section VI Player of the Year.

Coach Pavlik on Payne: "Henry has shown a live arm and we believe his work ethic and and athletically ability will serve him well at this level. Henry has taken advantage of his high school and club experiences and I firmly believe he will contribute sooner rather than later with us!"

Payne on Penn State: "I chose Penn State because it is a good all-around school. The academics along with the rich history of sports success is what drew me to Penn State. The coaches along with everyone else I interacted with treated me respectfully and kindly."

Will Bantle
Outside Hitter - 6'5" - Los Angeles, California-Loyola High School

Bantle, a member of the CIF-SS Champions, voted Best Offense Player in the Mission League, comes to Penn State after wrapping up a decorated prep career including such accolades as Santa Barbara TOC Tournament champions (Named All-Tournament) competing on the third-ranked team nationally as well as helping his teams to a combined 57-1 during his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Coach Pavlik on Bantle: "Will has shown outstanding ball control skills and a high volleyball IQ. His high school and club volleyball development will certainly provide him with the experience to make the transition to the collegiate game very smooth. I have no doubt he will make those around him better!"

Bantle on Penn State: "I believe that Penn State will provide me with the best opportunity to grow as a student, volleyball player, and a person."

Penn State men's volleyball is set to open the 2017 season in Columbus, OH against UCLA in the PAC-12/Big Ten Challenge on January 6.

Penn State men's volleyball is on Facebook and Twitter! Fans can follow the Nittany Lions @PennStateMVBALL or online at www.facebook.com/PennStateMensVolleyball.