Antelopes Add Four To Recruiting Class

Grand Canyon University’s men’s volleyball program has signed four more players for the 2012-13 season.

GCU, coming off the best season in the program’s four-year history, signed three incoming freshmen, setter Tanner Maxwell, libero Kyle Miller and outside hitter Robert Houser and sophomore setter Djim Baas. They will join freshman middle hitter Christian Ward, signed in November, in the 2012-13 recruiting class.

Maxwell is 6-4 and comes from Las Vegas Shadow Ridge High School where he played setter, outside hitter and right-side hitter. He was named MVP of the Northwest Conference and led the team to the Sunset Region championship with 17 kills and four aces in the title match sweep of Palo Verde.

“I am extremely excited and honored to be a 'Lope in this upcoming season,” said Maxwell. “Coach (Jeremy) Price and company have done a great job developing the program in such a short time and I know I can contribute to their continued success.

“Grand Canyon is the perfect fit for me and I hope to be a big part of the program early in my career.”

Miller is from Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, the same school that produced current All-MIVA libero Trent Bruns. Miller was his team’s MVP and captain.

"I am stoked to be part of a growing campus full of opportunities and on a well-coached team that will compete at a higher and higher level in the future,” said Miller.

Houser, a 6-5 outside hitter, played high school volleyball at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman where he was named first team All-Southwest Conference and a three-time team MVP. He transferred from CSU Northridge, but will have four years of eligibility remaining.

As a high school senior he averaged 24 kills per match to go with seven blocks and five service aces. He had a .650 kill percentage.

“I look forward to being part of the GCU program,” Houser said.

Baas comes from The Netherlands and, along with being a solid setter, is a very strong server totaling 61 aces over the past season.

“I am very happy with my choice of coming to Grand Canyon,” said Baas. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Price’s Antelopes finished the 2011-12 season 15-17 overall and 5-7 in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. The team accomplished a number of firsts, including first road MIVA win, first victory over a team from the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and first home MIVA tournament match.

“We’re very excited to add these four guys during the spring signing period (to go with Ward),” said Price. “I feel we’ve

improved our program. This group is athletic, has good size and has played at a very high level.

“I’m excited to see what they will do at the collegiate level and in the MIVA.”

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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