Ball State University Athletics
Men?s Volleyball Signs Three for 2008
June 20, 2007 | Men's Volleyball
Muncie, Ind. - - Ted Garard (Northfield, Ill./New Trier H.S.), J.D. Gasparovic (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville H.S.) and Lee Meyer (Maineville, Ohio/Moeller H.S.) have signed national letters of intent to attend Ball State University and compete on the men's volleyball team according to head coach Joel Walton.
“I believe this group of three players makes up one of the best recruiting classes you will see for next season,” said Walton. “We are very excited about adding these fine student-athletes to our team. We expect all three to make a big impact in our program.” Garard, a 6-6 middle/outside attacker, concluded his senior season at New Trier H.S. as a two-year letterwinner in volleyball for coach Sue Haak. As a senior, Garard helped guide the Trevians to a 34-8 overall record and a runner-up finish in the state tournament. An All-State First Team selection for both the Chicago Tribune and the Sun Times, Garard finished the year with a team-best 35 aces, while ranking second on his team in kills (259) and blocks (72). In four seasons with the program, he has helped guide the team to an 117-23 overall record. A member of the 2006 Boy's USA Youth National Training Team Roster, Garard has played 16's, 17's and 18's club volleyball for the Adversity VBC. In 2006, Garard helped guide his Adversity VBC 17-1's team to a fifth-place finish at the USA Junior Olympics. One year earlier, he earned a slot on the 2005 USA High Performance Training Team. Garard also played basketball and soccer at New Trier. “Ted has played primarily as a middle attacker throughout his prep career, but we plan to retrain him as an outside hitter,” said Walton. “He is a dynamic athlete with a great arm swing who can hit a heavy ball.” Gasparovic, a 6-6 middle attacker, enters his senior season at Oakville H.S. as a three-year letterwinner in volleyball for coach Becky Czuppon. During his junior campaign, Gasparovic earned team Most Valuable Player honors after posting a team-best 154 total blocks, while tying for team-high honors with 196 kills and ranking second on the squad with 20 aces. A 2006 Suburban West All-Conference selection and Second Team All-Metro honoree, Gasparovic's Tigers posted a 23-4-1 record last season while earning its second-straight conference tournament championship. In addition to his high school career, Gasparovic has spent the last three years in the St. Louis High Performance program. In his first season, he was on the 18-2's team, while the last two years he has played for the 18-1's squad. In 2006, he helped guide his 18-1's team to a 10th-place finish at the USA Junior Olympics. Gasparovic also earned one letter in basketball at Oakville. “J.D. is a tough competitor, great blocker, good offensive player and a real work horse,” said Walton. “He is passionate about playing as a middle attacker and loves to compete.” Meyer, a 6-7 outside hitter, concluded his senior season at Moeller H.S. as a four-year letterwinner in volleyball for coach Greg Ulland. The 2007 State Player of the Year for Ohio, Meyer led the Crusaders to the state championship and a perfect 29-0 record last season. His team was the first Moeller squad to end the season undefeated and just the second in state history. Meyer also earned All-Region First Team, All-State First Team and Region Player of the Year accolades in 2007. A four-year varsity starter for the Crusaders, Meyer also helped guide the program to a state championship in 2005 and a runner-up finish in 2006. A member of back-to-back-to-back Greater Cincinnati League Championship teams, Meyer was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 St. Charles Tournament. In his four seasons with the program, the Crusaders have posted a 104-7 overall record. Meyer, who plays club volleyball for the Cincinnati Attack, helped his 18-and-under squad place 22nd overall at the USA Junior Olympic 18-Open Tournament. He was also selected to participate in the 2006 USA Junior National A2 Training Camp. Meyer is the younger brother of current BSU senior Nick Meyer, and their sister, Danielle, will be a senior at Ohio State next season. “Lee is a great student, as well as a fantastic volleyball player,” said Walton. “He can pass, block and set, but we are really looking forward to him being a left-side attacker who can hit and pass for our team.”
