UC Irvine Recruiting Class Features Nation's No. 1 Recruit
June 15, 2018 | Men's Volleyball
IRVINE, Calif. -- Five incoming freshmen were named to the 2018 VolleyballMag.com Boys Fab 50 list, including the No. 1 recruit in the class.
"This is a diverse class. It's a mix of raw potential and proven success," UCI head coach David Kniffin said. "But each of these guys took a unique path and demonstrated unique competitive differentiators to find themselves at UC Irvine, which is consistent with our culture."
For the second time in three years, the Anteaters have claimed the top recruit, this time in opposite Jonny Bowles. Bowles joins middle blocker Scott Stadick who was tabbed the No. 1 recruit in 2016.
"Jonny has many of the polished qualities you expect in a top recruit," Kniffin continued. "I believe what makes him the 'top recruit' is his mature perspective on the process, beyond being a physical and talented player."
Bowles joins Mac Cavanah, Brian Garcia, Patrick Vorenkamp and Owen Wahlgren in the 2018 recruiting class.
Jonny Bowles
6-7/Opposite/Chandler, AZ/Chandler High School/SMBC Pali
Jonny Bowles was named the 2018 VolleyballMag.com No. 1 recruit after a two-time first team all-conference career at Chandler High School. The AVCA High School first team All-American has been a Junior National Team Training Team selection the last two years, playing in the 2017 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship.
Mac Cavanah
6-11/Middle Blocker/Newbury Park, Calif./Newbury Park High School/Ventura County
Mac Cavanah was a VolleyballMag.com Fab 50 selection from Newbury Park High School. The 6'11" middle hitter was a member of the Marmonte League Championship team.
Brian Garcia
6-5/Setter/Madera, Calif./Madera High School/NCVC
Brian Garcia helped Madera High School to back-to-back section championships as well as the Division III NorCal Championship. The VolleyballMag.com Fab 50 selection earned a bronze medal at the 2017 USA High Performance Championships (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida).
Patrick Vorenkamp
6-6/Middle Blocker/JSerra High School/949
Patrick Vorenkamp is a two-time All-Trinity League honoree from JSerra High School. He is a three-time Junior Olympics gold medalist with 949 Volleyball Club. Patrick might be the most diverse player in the 2018 class, having played several positions for both club and high school.
Owen Wahlgren
6-8/Middle Blocker/Downers Grove North High School/Sports Performance
Owen Wahlgren is a VolleyballMag.com Fab 50 selection from Downers Grove North High School. He was a DuPage All-Area Team honoree as well as a WSC All-Conference choice. Owen currently plays for the Midwest Powerhouse Club, Sports Performance and will be reunited with fellow Sports Performance alum, Sean Farmer, at UC Irvine this fall.
