STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford libero/setter Kyle Dagostino and middle blocker Kevin Rakestraw will join top men’s volleyball players from seven different universities to compete for the United States at the World University Games (WUG) on July 4-12 in Gwangju, South Korea.
Dagostino came to The Farm from Tampa, Florida as a libero, but served as Stanford's starting setter for much of the season due to injuries to James Shaw. Dagostino averaged 5.92 assists and 1.20 digs per set and was named to the MPSF All-Freshman Team.
Rakestraw, a 7-0 middle blocker from Newport Beach, California, played in 18 matches for the Cardinal as a redshirt freshman in 2015. He posted 1.24 kills, 0.85 blocks and 1.91 points per set while hitting .307.
UC Irvine head coach David Kniffin will serve as the WUG team head coach with assistance from David Heller (Mount Olive) and Joel Walton (Ball State).
“This group of student-athletes represents a wonderful cross-section of universities at the Division I-II level,” Kniffin said.
NCAA Championship semifinalist UC Irvine leads the way with three players on the team, including setter Michael Saeta, outside hitter Kyle Russell and middle blocker Jason Agopian.
Joining Stanford with two selections are national runner-up Lewis (outside hitter Greg Petty and middle blocker Bobby Walsh) and USC (setter Michael Mullahey and outside hitter Alex Slaught).
2015 World University Games Roster
Cody Kessel (Princeton, OH)
Jack Wilson (George Mason, OH)
Kevin Rakestraw (Stanford, MB)
Kyle Dagostino (Stanford, L)
Jalen Penrose (Penn State, OH)
Greg Petty (Lewis, OH)
Michael Saeta (UC Irvine, S)
Michael Mullahey (USC, S)
Bobby Walsh (Lewis, MB)
Kyle Russell (UC Irvine, OH)
Jason Agopian (UC Irvine, MB)
Alex Slaught (USC, OH)
Coaches
Head Coach David Kniffin (UC Irvine)
Assistant Coach David Heller (University of Mount Olive)
Assistant Coach Joel Walton (Ball State)