Ball State University Athletics
Men's Volleyball Signs Three To 2016 Class
November 22, 2014 | Men's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's volleyball program has signed three new participants to the 2016 class with National Letters of Intent, including Parker Swartz (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West), Lemuel Turner (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills), and Jake Romano (Racine, Wis./William Horlick) according to head coach Joel Walton.
Swartz is a 6-foot-5 middle hitter, while Turner is a 6-foot-6 middle hitter, followed by Romano who is a 6-foot-6 setter. All players will begin their senior seasons in the spring of 2015 and join the Cardinals for the 2016 season.
Swartz enters his senior year at Glenbard West with 190 kills, 9 aces, 106 blocks and 41 digs. This past spring, Swartz won the regional and sectional championship with his team, ultimately finishing third in the state. The title was the best finish by Glenbard West's volleyball program in history. An honorable mention for All-Conference as a sophomore, Swartz also completed the season as the team's leading blocker. A multi-sport athlete, Swartz also plays Golf and Basketball for his high school, but carries a dominate 91-20 career record with his volleyball team. Swartz also boasts a 5.15 weighted GPA going into his senior season.
Turner enters his senior season at Vernon Hills after being named to first team All-Conference two years running. Turner set his team record for most blocks in a game (8) and most blocks in a season (130) in his sophomore season, while being a two-time All-Area athlete in the Daily Herald. He helped his team on the way of becoming conference champions in 2014 and regional champions in 2013. In the volleyball off-season, Turner also plays as a center for the basketball team, where he earned the record of most blocks in a game (6) three times.
Romano enters his senior season at William Horlick with 69 aces, 300 kills and 437 assists. He has been named to first team All-Conference two years, while also earning High Honorable Mention All-State as a junior and second team All-State as a senior. Romano and his team have been two-time sectional champions and two-time conference champions, earning a 9-1 record overall in his senior season. Also a multi-sport athlete, Romano holds the second most pars and third most birdies for his high school golf team, where he was also a sectional qualifier and All-State Academic. Romano boasts a 3.725 GPA and has been on the honor roll two years running in addition to being a three-year scholar athlete.
The 2015 men's volleyball team will open their season when they travel to Mount Olive, N.C. on Friday, Jan. 9 to take on Mount Olive at 7 p.m.
Stay up-to-date on all Ball State men's volleyball action by following @BallStateSports and @BallStateMVB on Twitter.
