Long Beach State University Athletics
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL INKS SIX IN SIGNING PERIOD
11/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Long Beach State men's volleyball head coach Alan Knipe announced the signing of half a dozen new additions for the 2018 season after Gary Adams, Alexander Anastassiades, Simon Andersen, Spencer Oliver, Ryan Poole and Carlos Rivera each signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Beach as incoming freshmen.
"All of these future 49ers bring solid skill sets, high volleyball IQs and a thirst to compete," Knipe said. "We look forward to all of them joining our volleyball family and adding to our great team culture."
Gary Adams | 6-5 | Fr. | Middle | Murrieta Valley High School | Forza Volleyball Club
Adams comes to Long Beach State from Murrieta Valley High School where he was a 2016 First-Team All-Sunbelt League selection. The 6-foot-5 Adams is the league record holder with 34 kills in a single match. In addition to his prowess on the court, Adams is also a 2016 scholar-athlete award winner.
Alexander Anastassiades | 6-8 | Fr. | Opposite | Huntington Beach High School | The HBC
Anastassiades joins the Beach after having played club volleyball at The HBC. A native of the Republic of Cyprus, Anastassiades has trained with the Cyprus National Team and has competed in the U21 World Beach Volleyball Championships. Additionally, he had seen action in the U18 European Championships representing Cyprus.
Simon Andersen | 6-8 | Fr. | Middle | Middlefart, Denmark
Andersen is a 6-for-8 middle blocker who hails from Denmark where he played for the Middlefart Volleyball Club. He earned awards for Best Middle Blocker for the U19 NEUZA team in 2015 and was ranked the No. 2 rising star in the Danish League in both 2015 and 2016.
Spencer Olivier | 6-6 | Fr. | Outside Hitter | Beckman High School | Balboa Bay Volleyball Club
Beckman High School's record holder for most kills, Olivier, will join the Beach after having seen action as a 2016 USA Youth National Training Team member. He was also a Gold Medal winner for the 17s division at the 2016 Junior Nationals. While prepping at Beckman, Olivier was named to the 2016 All-CIF First Team and was a First-Team All-County selection.
Ryan Poole | 6-5 | Fr. | Outside Hitter | St. Ignatius College (England) | Malory Eagles
Poole joins the Long Beach State men's volleyball team after having played at in England at St. Ignatius College. The 6-foot-5 outside hitter is a two-time team captain who has seen action with England's U19s squad. He helped the U18s place ninth at the CEV European Beach Volleyball Championships in 2014 and was voted Super 7 Player in the U17s NEVZA for England that same year. Poole is a two-time England Junior Beach Volleyball Player of the Year and was named MVP of the U18s National Final in 2014. Additionally, he is a two-time U18 National Cup winner and a three-time U16 National Cup winner. Poole has also seen action for the Malory Eagles where he was named Super 8s Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
Carlos Rivera | 6-3 | Fr. | Setter | Newport Harbor High School | Balboa Bay Volleyball Club
Rivera is a 6-foot-3 setter who was a member of the All-Tournament Team for the 17s Division at the 2016 Junior Nationals. While competing, he earned a Gold Medal with the 17s Division. 2016 was not his first appearance at Junior Nationals as Rivera had seen action in 2014 with the 15s Division where he went on to be named MVP. Lastly, Rivera is a member of the Puerto Rican National U19 team.
