FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's volleyball team welcomes five newcomers for the 2014-15 season. Joining the Patriots are freshmen Garrett Kollar, Brian Negron, and Langston Payne. Junior Hermann De Gennaro and sophomore Johnny Gomez also join the Green and Gold.
Garret Kollar was a three-year letter winner in volleyball at Greater Latrobe high school. The talented middle blocker from Latrobe, Pennsylvania was an All-State selection and won the High Performance Championships International Division Gold Medal (KRVA) in 2014. Kollar also brings success off the court as a member of the National Honor Society and as a Greater Latrobe Male Scholar Athlete.
Brian Negron comes to the Patriots as one of the top-ranked 2014 prospects from Puerto Rico. He brings international experience as a long time starter in the Puerto Rican youth and junior national team program, as well as success at the club and high school levels, including back-to-back championships and MVP selections at the prestigious La Copa Primera Hora national tournament. The setter has also competed in the Men's Junior and Youth World Championships. Negron earned a spot on the Puerto Rican National Team that played in the FIVB World League competition in May 2014.
Langston Payne earned two letters at Piscataway high school in New Jersey before coming to Mason. A member of the National Honor Society, Langston was awarded for an Outstanding Achievement in Business Management and Organization. The Piscataway native also enjoyed success on the court as an All-State First Team and All-Area honoree. The opposite hitter was also selected to Volleyball Magazine's Fab 50.
Johnny Gomez comes to Mason after transferring from Belmont Abbey College. At Belmont Abbey, Johnny enjoyed success on and off the court. Along with making the Presidential Honor Roll, the sophomore also was named to the Freshman All-American Team by Off-The-Block. The libero played in 83 sets and averaged 2.70 digs per set, which ranked fifth best in the nation. Gomez also placed third in the Puerto Rican National Championships the last three years, along with being named to the All-Tournament Team in 2013.
Hermann De Gennaro joins the Patriots as a junior from Rome, Italy. The middle blocker attended the Liceo Classico “Torquato Tass” high school and played three years of volleyball there.
