2006 USC MEN’S VOLLEYBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. Hometown (Last School/High School) 1 C.J. Schellenberg 6-7 195 OPP Fr. Pacific Palisades (Loyola) 2 James Wilkes 6-5 200 OH So. Las Vegas, NV (Lewis/Bishop Gorman) 3 Sean O’Connor 6-5 185 MB Fr.* Carlsbad (La Costa Canyon) 5 Jeff Bailey 6-8 230 MB Sr.* San Diego (Francis Parker) 6 Matt Pavlovich 6-4 210 OH Fr. San Clemente (Santa Margarita) 7 Luke Morris 6-2 170 L Fr. Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach) 8 Andrew Vernon 6-8 205 MB So. Joliet, IL (Joliet Township West) 9 Chris Ceballos 5-11 185 OH Fr. Westchester (St. Bernard) 10 Hunter Haley 6-2 175 S Fr. Hermosa Beach (Mira Costa) 11 Gio Altamura 6-0 170 S Jr.* Manhattan Beach (Mira Costa) 12 Jake Lewis 6-5 195 OH So. Scottsdale, AZ (Brophy College Prep) 13 Juan Figueroa 6-1 170 OH So. Levittown, Puerto Rico (Bayamon Military Academy) 14 Joao Grangeiro 6-0 200 OH-L Sr. Rio de Janiero, Brazil (Colegio Santo Agostinho) 15 Chris Jones 6-6 195 MB So. Racine, WI (Washington Park) 16 Andrew Biernat 6-3 180 S So.* Hidden Hills (Pierce JC/Crespi) 17 Matt Mosko 6-7 225 MB Jr. Westlake Village (Viewpoint) 18 Jimmy Killian 6-4 195 S So. Los Angeles (Loyola) 19 B.J. Takushi 6-4 180 OPP Fr. Kailua, HI (Iolani) 20 Matt Anderson 6-5 205 OH So.* Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach) Head Coach: Turhan Douglas (fourth year) Assistant Coaches: Bill Ferguson (first year), Brandon Crisp (third year), Ryan Stuntz (first year) Team Manager: Mark Cruz (fourth year) Captains: Gio Altamura, Joao Grangeiro, Jimmy Killian *Used up redshirt year USC QUICK FACTS Location ............................................. Los Angeles, Calif., 90089 Head Men’s Volleyball Coach ........................... Turhan Douglas University Telephone .......................................... (213) 740-2311 Coach’s Telephone ............................................. (213) 740-3838 Founded ............................................................................... 1880 Record (USC and Overall) ................................... 19-71, 3 Years Size .............................................................................. 155 Acres Assistant Coaches .. Bill Feguson, Brandon Crisp, Ryan Stuntz Enrollment ............................... 32,000 (16,500 undergraduates) 2005 Overall Record ............................................................. 7-23 President ....................................................... Dr. Steven Sample 2005 Conference Record/Finish ............................... 3-19 (11th) Athletic Director ........................................................ Mike Garrett 2005 Postseason Results ....................................................... NA Colors ............................................................. Cardinal and Gold Letterwinners Returning/Lost ............................................... 10/7 Nickname ......................................................................... Trojans Starters Returning/Lost........................................................... 3/3 Home Court .................................. Lyon Center (1,300 capacity) Men’s Volleyball SID ............................................ Tim Tessalone ......................................................... North Gym (1,000 capacity) ................................. (213) 740-8480 office, (213) 725-3572 cell Press Row Phone ............................................... (213) 740-7590 ................................. (310) 540-7052 home, (213) 740-7584 fax Conference......................... Mountain Pacific Sports Federation This 2006 USC Men’s Volleyball media guide was produced by Tim Tessalone. Photos by Figge Photography, Dan Avila, Patrick Gee and Don Liebig. Printed by Chromatic. USC IS THE PLACE TO BE Based on several national accolades it has received recently, USC can stake its claim as one of the nation’s premier schools. USC was named the “College of the Year” by the 2000 edition of the Time/Princeton Review College Guide because of the remarkable bonds it has forged with the local community. The editors said USC has one of the most ambitious social-outreach programs of any university in the nation and cited the school’s model of service learning (applying academic theory to real-life situations through public service). They also pointed out that USC’s undergraduate applications have nearly doubled over the last few years and it is enrolling the most academically accomplished freshman classes in its history. Troy also was selected as one of America’s nine “hottest schools” by the 2001 edition of the Newsweek/Kaplan College Guide because it lives up to its reputation as a top-notch institution of higher education. Students quoted in the guide said that what attracted them to the university was Los Angeles’ ethnic diversity, the offer of scholarships, the small classroom sizes and USC’s standing in academe. Also in 2001, the Association of American Colleges and Universities picked USC as one of 16 “Leadership Institutions” for providing stimulating educational experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. USC was cited for emphasizing a campus culture featuring new learning techniques, curriculum and organizational structure and for demonstrating a strong commitment to liberal arts education relevant to the contemporary world. The organization said USC not only linked liberal arts and pre-professional study, but offered students the opportunity to learn by doing through off-campus work in community projects and internships. Also, USC was lauded for stressing critical thinking, effective communication and contributing to a diverse society. 2006 USC MEN’S VOLLEYBALL SEASON OUTLOOK There’s no sugarcoating it. The USC men’s volleyball program has was the national Player of the Year in 2005 out of 3-time CIF Division I titlist been in a serious slump the past 4 years, finishing each season in 11th place Loyola High in Los Angeles (Calif.), and also was a member of the 2004 U.S. in the 12-team Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Junior National Team and 2003 U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team. He was But the 2006 Trojans, despite their youth, plan on doing something on 3 gold medal teams at the Junior Olympics. about it. “C.J. will help us in a big way,” said Douglas. “We haven’t had a true “This year’s team is on a mission,” said fourth-year head coach Turhan opposite hitter at USC since All-American Brook Billings (1999-2002). His Douglas. “They’re not just playing for themselves. They’re playing for this size and being a lefty are assets, as is his championship experience.” school’s honor and for the great players from the championship teams who Another true freshman, 6-2 Luke Morris of Laguna Beach (Calif.) High, came before them. They know they’re being watched by those players. They likely will be USC’s starting libero. He was an All-CIF Division II first teamer feel a sense of responsibility.” in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, USC—which had 4 starters sidelined by “Luke is the best freshman libero in the country,” said injuries for a portion of the season—went just 7-23 overall Douglas. “He’ll be a key player for us.” (3-19 in the MPSF). That’s hardly tolerable for a program Five other players will be available at outside hitter: that has won 4 NCAA titles while finishing second six other sophomores Jake Lewis, Matt Anderson and James times and third once. Wilkes, who are all 6-5, and first-year freshmen Matt Three starters (and 10 lettermen) return from last year, Pavlovich and Chris Ceballos. Lewis saw action at but there are only 4 upperclassmen on the 19-man roster. opposite hitter in 7 matches (starting 3) last spring, while “We’re real young,” Douglas acknowledged, “but we’re Anderson played briefly in 1 match in 2005 (a broken toe very talented and real hungry. Many of our younger players slowed him in this fall’s practices). Wilkes, the son of the ex- came from championship backgrounds at the high school UCLA and NBA basketballer of the same name, transferred and club level. I think we’ll upset a lot of teams this year. to USC this season from Lewis, where he appeared in 17 “We have the right attitude, we have the proper work matches (starting 6) last year and posted 66 kills (hitting ethic and we have the leaders necessary to bring us out of .331), 14 blocks, 13 digs and 11 aces. The 6-4 Pavlovich the slump we’ve been in.” was a 2005 All-CIF Division I third teamer at Santa Margarita Douglas also feels his team will benefit from the return High in Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.). The 5-11 Ceballos, of noted club coach Bill Ferguson to the staff after a 7-year the cousin of former NBA player Cedric Ceballos, made the Joao Grangeiro absence, as well as the elevation of assistant coach Bran- 2005 All-CIF Division V first team at St. Bernard High in don Crisp to full-time status and the hiring of former Playa del Rey (Calif.). collegiate Libero of the Year and ex-U.S. National Team player Ryan Stuntz “Jake is one of our most gifted athletes,” said Douglas. “He is extremely as a volunteer assistant. versatile, can play many positions and is one of our better blocking outside USC will be led by fourth-year starting outside hitter Joao Grangeiro. hitters. He’ll see the court this year. By mid-season, Anderson has a real The 6-0 senior co-captain from Brazil, known for his savvy hitting, pinpoint chance to see time. He has improved greatly from last year. James was a passing and deadly jump serving, led Troy last season in kills (319), digs nice gift out of nowhere. He’s a really, really heavy hitter. Over time, he’s (244) and aces (44), plus he added 48 blocks. Also able to play libero, he going to have an impact for us. Pavlovich is surprisingly strong for a made the 2005 All-MPSF honorable mention squad (he was a second teamer freshman. He brings a lot of size and athleticism to our team. He’ll fight for in 2003). He has started all 90 matches in his career, posting 788 kills, 778 playing time. Chris is a developing player with a lot of raw talent. He comes digs, 115 blocks and 94 aces. from a good athletic background.” “Originally we wanted to play Joao this year at libero, where he’d be the A trio of setters will back up Killian.