STANFORD, Calif. – Head men’s volleyball coach John Kosty and his staff have announced the signing of five prep standouts to National Letters of Intent today. Eric Beatty (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Paul Bischoff (Wheaton, Ill.), Stephen Moye (El Segundo, Calif.), Mason Tufuga (Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Eli Wopat (Goleta, Calif.) will join the Cardinal ahead of the 2016-17 season.
The class includes a setter, a middle blocker, an outside hitter and two opposites. Read on for a breakdown of the Stanford men's volleyball class of 2020.
Eric Beatty • Outside Hitter • Huntington Beach, Calif.
The Beatty File
Huntington Beach High School
Two-time U.S. Junior National Championships All-Tournament Team (2014, 2015)
2015 SCVA Boys Classic gold medalist with Huntington Beach Volleyball Club (HBC)
Two-time national champion with Huntington Beach High School (2014, 2015)
High school team has been undefeated for two years
Head Coach John Kosty on Eric Beatty...
“To describe Eric Beatty - he is, quite simply, a winner. Every team he has been on has enjoyed tremendous success, including his Huntington Beach High School squad that has not lost in the last two seasons!
"Eric has been one of the standout outside hitters in prep volleyball for a number of years. At 6-7, he brings good size and physicality to the court. He is well-skilled as a passer and a net player, and is a strong attacker out of the front and back rows. He will bring intensity and fire to our Stanford team. We are truly fortunate to have this young man in our program."
Paul Bischoff • Setter • Wheaton, Ill.
The Bischoff File
Glenbard West High School
Member of the 2015 USA Boys' Youth National Training Team
Earned second place at the 2015 USA High Perfomance Championships with the Boys' Youth National Blue Team
Finished third at the 2014 USA High Performance Championships with the USA Youth Continental Team
Captain of the Sports Performance 16 Mizuno team (2014)
As a 17-year-old, started at setter and captained the Sports Performance 18 Mizuno team which placed fifth at the 2015 U.S. Junior National Championships
Head Coach John Kosty on Bischoff...
"We are elated to sign a setter of Paul's ability level. He has the talent to become a premier setter in the MPSF and the work ethic to match. Of the many prospects in this class, he is probably the best athlete in the position But he is much more than that. He has command of the offense and has the ability to run the offense at a very quick pace. He can make bad passes look good and is an above-average defender.
"Best of all, Paul fits our Stanford profile: He is a tremendous person with great passionn, drive and humility. He is extremely respectful of others and a great teammate. He represents all the best qualities of a Stanford student-athlete. Our future is in good hands with Paul Bischoff."
Stephen Moye • Middle Blocker • El Segundo, Calif.
The Moye File
El Segundo High School
2015 CIF Southern Section Player of the Year (Division III)
2015 CIF Southern Section Champions with El Segundo High School (Division III)
CIF Southern Section Championship Game MVP (2015)
Ocean League Most Outstanding Player (2015)
Top 5 finished at U.S. Junior National Championships with Southern California Volleyball Club (2014, 2015)
Head Coach John Kosty on Moye...
"With the upcoming graduation of Conrad Kaminski, we had a pressing need at the middle blocker position. Stephen helps fill that need in a big way. He is an accomplished middle with size and talent. He plays with an excellent club program and has developed into one of the top middle prospects in the 2016 class.
"The exciting part is that he is just reaching his potential and will continue to improve. Stephen also brings qualities that all of our student-athletes possess - he is driven to excel in all parts of his life and truly understands what this opportunity at Stanford affords. We are thrilled to have Stephen join our family."
Mason Tufuga • Opposite • Costa Mesa, Calif.
The Tufuga File
Costa Mesa High School
All-Tournnament selection at the USA High Performance Championships - International Division (2015)
Orange Coast League Co-MVP (2015)
All-Orange Coast League First Team (2014)
Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week (2015)
Associate Head Coach Ken Shibuya on Tufuga...
"Mason is a great mix of ball control, volleyball instincts and big arm. He has been the 'go-to' guy in high school and club, so he knows how to carry teams. He is also a lefty and gives us a different look than we've had over recent years. Having Mason in our gym will definitely bring up the quality of play right from the beginning.
"Mason is a true Stanford student. He brings character, tremendous citizenship and integrity to The Farm and will be a model of what a Stanford student-athlete is. We are thrilled that Mason will be wearing Cardinal for the next four years."
Eli Wopat • Opposite • Goleta, Calif.
The Wopat File
Dos Pueblos High School
Gold Medalist at the 2015 USA High Performance Championships - National Divisioin with Southern California Regional HP team
Earned a bronze medal at the 2015 USA Junior National Championships with Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Club (17 Club Division)
Named to the All-Tournament team at the USA Junior Naitonal Championships (2015)
All-Channel League First Team (2015)
All-Channel League Second Team (2014)
2015 Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award, given to one Dos Pueblos High School student-athlete each year who demonstrates the highest standards of good character, positive attitude, conduct, respect for others, integrity and good sportsmanship
Assistant Coach Daniel Rasay on Wopat...
"We have known Eli since he was a young kid in middle school. He has grown to become a very physical player with great competitive fire. His volleyball IQ is on the rise and he has shown that he wants to be great.
"Eli has been one of the primary weapons on all of his teams so he is used to the role of being the leader. Beyond all of his athletic gifts, he is a remarkable young man with great character. Without a doubt, he will represent Stanford University and our men's volleyball program to the highest standards."