Men's Volleyball Adds Six for 2010

 Class includes pair of middle blockers

July 20, 2009

Fort Wayne, IN - IPFW head men's volleyball coach Arnie Ball has announced his recruiting class for 2010.

The Volleydons' class of '10 includes a pair of middle blockers, outside hitters, a setter and a libero.

Rob Samp III is a 6'7" middle blocker from Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, IL.  Samp helped lead his squad to back-to-back State Championships.  He also played for the Sports Performance and Ultimate Volleyball Clubs, and culminated his prep career by being named a 2008-09 AVCA First Team Boy's High School Senior All-America. 

"Rob is a swift moving, agile middle," according to IPFW assistant coach Ryan "Rock" Perrotte.  "He is solid and consistent on offense, and good defensive net player."

Samp also excels in the classroom.  He was named Academic All-Conference.

Tyler Vinezeano will join Samp in the middle for the 'Dons.  Vinezeano is a 6'4" middle from Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.  He was named Mid-Suburban League All-Conference and as a junior led the conference in blocks.  Vinezeano also spent time with the Sports Academy 17U Boys UVC and Rolling Thunder Blue Volleyball Clubs.  He is described by the coaching staff as "athletic and a very good leaper with raw volleyball skills."

On the outside, IPFW has inked Anthony Randolph and Elon Fyfield. 

Randolph is a 6'5" outside hitter from Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus, Ohio.  He was named a 2008-09 AVCA Second Team Boy's High School Senior All-America.  Randolph was also tabbed as the D2 Ohio Player of the Year.  He played his club volleyball with Vanguard Volleyball Club.  "Anthony is a heavy hitter and solid ball striker," Perrotte added.  "He is also a versatile player who is a very good blocker with tremendously competitive instincts."

Fyfield is a 6'5" opposite from Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He was named to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team.  The coaching staff considers Fyfield a "diamond in the rough".  He is incredibly athletic with explosive leading ability and versatility.

Elias Aparcedo is a 6'3" setter from Loyola Academy High School in Chicago, Illinois.  Aparcedo was a member of the USA Volleyball High Performance Select A1 Team in both 2006 and 2007.  He was also a member of the Adversity Elite Volleyball Club.  "Elias is a very talented setter," Perrotte said.  "He places the ball in a great location and has setting strength.  Elias also exhibits good leadership skills."

This final member of the Class of 2010 is libero J.W. Kieckhefer.  Kieckhefer may be called upon immediately with the graduation of liberos Mike Morici and Matt Pliske.  Kieckhefer, at 6'0" has nice size for a backliner.  He comes to IPFW from Hartford Union High School in Hartford, Wisconsin.  He played his club volleyball with the North Shore Milwaukee VC and was a member of the National Honor Society.  Ball and the coaching staff believe that Kieckhefer will be a solid libero because he is an excellent passer and defender with great court presence and passion.

The Mastodons open the 2010 season on January 8 and 9 hosting New Jersey Institute of Technology at the Gates Center.

~Dons~