mecca of the sport. He'll also be carrying with him a great opportunity for Greater Cincinnati volleyball. Silber, an unusually tall6'6"setter,isn't the first local prep boys volleyball player or the first Moeller player to sign with an NCAA Division I program. Former Crusaders stars Mike Carter and Matt Jurkowitz were signed within the last three years by Ohio State University. But Silber is the first local boys product to sign with an elite college program in the state that is considered the capital of volleyball in this country, California. UCLA, the defending national champion, has won 18 national titles. "We've had a bunch of great volleyball players come out of Cincinnati;' said Moeller coach Tom Brinkman, who guided the Crusaders to state championships in 1997 and 1998. "But Ohio hasn't been on the map when big-time colleges come recruiting. They go to California, Florida and the northeast, maybe Chicago, to find players:路 That's starting to change with some of the successes Ohio teams have had at national Junior Olympic tournaments, for example the Cincinnati Attack, a team Jeff has played on. "Jeff going to UCLA is a big thing, not only for him, but for the area, too, as far as local players getting more notice;路 said Brinkman. Last summer, UCLA coach AI Scates noticed Silber playing for the U.S. Development Team in California tournaments. UCLA's interest in Silber not only is unique for a Greater Cincinnati player,
Development Team. "Most of the kids were from California;路 Silber said. "I think there was a kid from New York, but nobody from the Midwest. I got the nickname "Cincy'' because people couldn't believe somebody from here was good enough to play with them;' he said. "I realize that if I do
Silber is a 6'1ia setter.
well out there, that will only make it better for Cincinnati players coming out in the future." Said Brinkman: "Somebody will say,'Hey,this guy can really play. Maybe we should go back and give Cincinnati another look: That would be a very special development:' What makes Silber so special is the precious commodity he possesses that all college volleyball coaches are looking for height. Silber is huge for a setter. Additionally, he employs a rare blend of skills for a setter in that he also is a strong
kind of height now at all the positions. Being a 6'2" setter just doesn't cut it any more;' Brinkman said. "You've got to be 6'4:' Middle hitters are getting to be 6'10:" Jeff's major attribute in college will be his ability to block the strong side hitter, because not only is he tall but he can jump, and he's very agile. Outside hitters have been hitting the ball over the setter's head." UCLA's current starting setter, Rich Nelson, is 6'4." Nelson is adept at getting the ball to the Bruins' two All-American power players, 6' 10" middle hitter Adam Naeve and 6'7'' outside hitter Mark Williams. However, the prospect of what Silber can do as a setter with a well-rounded game who also is two inches taller than the incumbent, could land him in UCLA's starting lineup as a freshman. "They give players the option to redshirt," Silber said. "But they told me they want me on the team, and I don't think they're ruling it out that I could pass (Nelson):' Silber, an honors student who played center on Moeller's basketball team this season and was named boys golfer of the year in the GCL South, isn't the only major talent on the Crusaders' volleyball team. Chris Pennekamp, a 6'5" senior, is being looked at by Division I schools. Moeller, along with fellow GCL stalwarts St. Xavier and Elder, are favorites to win the state title this season. Last season, Moeller was eliminated by St. Xavier in the regional semifinals and finished the year with a record of 23-3.
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