POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (July 6, 2017) -- Vassar College head men's volleyball coach Richard Gary, coming off one of the best seasons in program history, announced his first recruiting class as the head coach at Vassar as he enters his second season at the helm of the program. The Brewers will welcome in six incoming newcomers, with three from the Sunshine State and two from California. 

"We're very excited about this group coming in," said Gary. "After last year's success, we want to continue the momentum and we think this group of six players will come in and help us do just that. The six players come from strong backgrounds, and we're excited about what they can bring to the program both on and off the court." 

Vassar Men's Volleyball Class of 2021

Name: Ryan Duchemin
Height: 6'6"
Position: MB/OPP
Academic interests: Biology and Economics; plans to be part of student government while at vassar.
High School: Winter Park High School/Winter Park, FL
Team/Individual HS Accolades: 2017 First team All Region; Top 10 finish in state; led state of Florida in aces
Club: Plays for Ocean Bay Volleyball; part of team that finished fifth at USAV 18 open
Why Vassar? 
Vassar gives me the opportunity to push myself academically and obtain amazing internships while playing the sport I love.
Family:
Brother Robert (20) attends Florida State University
Mother Regina is a RN
Fun Fact:
I was born 9 weeks early at less than 5 pounds. 





 
Name: Sean Hsu
Height: 6'3"
Position: Outside Hitter/Opposite
Academic Interests: Chemistry, Math, anything Science
High School/ Home town: Foothill High School of Pleasanton, CA
HS Team Record: 28-9
Personal Accolades: 2016 2nd Team All League, 2017 1st Team All League, Foothill Athlete of the Month-May, Co-Captain 2017
Club Team: Pacific Rim (most recent)
Why Vassar? Vassar presents both a welcoming and open environment as well as great opportunities for both academics and athletics.
Family: Joannie Chung, Jack Hsu, Annie Hsu (21, will be senior at Vassar)
Fun Fact: I share a birthday with Elvis Presley while my sister shares hers with Presley's daughter.





 
 
Name: Wesley Olstad
Height: 6'2"
Position: Outside Hitter
Academic Interests: Computer science and cognitive science
High school/Hometown: La Costa Canyon High School and I am from Encinitas, CA
HS Team Record/Team and Personal Accolades: This year in high school, we finished first in The Avocado West League, we took second in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division Championships. We advanced to division one in state and lost first round to Oak Park High School. We were also the CIF champions in 2015. I have made the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic team for all three of my years on varsity. 
Club Team: Seaside Volleyball Club 18 Black
Why Vassar? Growing up in San Diego, I have never had the experience of cold weather or access to such a big city. I choose Vassar because I really admire the strong academic focus and the opportunity to play NCAA volleyball. I love the campus and think Vassar is a great environment for me. With New York City so close by as well, I knew Vassar was the right choice for me.
Family: David and Lisa Olstad 
Fun Fact: I have been playing volleyball since second grade.










 
Name: Garth Verdeflor
Height: 5'8
Weight: 155
Position: Libero
Academic interests: Major in mechanical engineering (physics at Vassar), with a minor in business, through Dual-Degree Engineering Program with Dartmouth
High School/Home town: Lyman High School / Lake Mary, FL
HS team record/team and personal accolades:
District Champions (2015)
District Runners-up (2016, 2017)
Record of 19-7 (2017)
2nd Team All-Conference (2016)
1st Team All-Conference (2017)
Club Team: Ocean Bay 18 Quiksilver South
Why Vassar?
I chose Vassar because it gave me the opportunity to pursue a great education and the degree I wanted, while still being able to continue my volleyball career at the collegiate level. 
Family: Parents Laurence and MaryGrace Verdeflor, brother Lloyd Verdeflor (21) and sister Lindsay Verdeflor (10)
Fun Fact: I am left-handed, even though I play most sports with my right hand.
 
 
Name:  Jefferson Waters
Height:  6'4"
Position:  Opposite
Major Interest:   Biology
High School:  Lower Dauphin High School, Hummelstown PA
High school accolades:  14-1, mid-penn keystone division mvp, all-district team, team made district playoffs
Club:  Yorktowne volleyball club
Why Vassar?  I chose Vassar because of its excellent academics and its strong volleyball program
Family: Parents Pam and Dave, older sister Maddy at Dartmouth, younger brothers Colton and Toby both in middle school
Fun fact: I can open a fridge with my shoulder blades
 
 










Name: Ben Brody
Height: 6'2''
Position: Libero
Academic Interests: biology and economics
High School: Pine Crest School
Home Town: Fort Lauderdale
High School Team Record: 6-10 (2017)
Team Accolades: Academic State Champion (2017), Region Runner-Up (2016), District Champion (2016), District Runner-Up (2015)
Personal Accolades: four year starter and varsity letter winner (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014), two time team captain (2017, 2016), Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald All County Honors (2017, 2016, 2015)
Club Team: Ocean Bay Volleyball
Why Vassar? In addition to the fantastic opportunity to pursue both my academic and athletic interests, I chose Vassar because of the students. When I visited with the team last year, I was immediately welcomed. All of the students I met seemed to be proud of their school and confident in their decision to attend. The volleyball team showed me how incredible it is to be a student and an athlete at Vassar.
Family: parents: Jon Brody (University of Pennsylvania 1984) and Paige Brody (University of Pennsylvania 1985), siblings: Sarah Brody (Haverford College 2015), Rebecca Brody (Washington University in Saint Louis 2017), and Sam Brody (Pine Crest School 2018)
Fun Fact: I won the "Most Contagious Laugh" superlative this year!