University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Hatch Named AVCA HM All-America
Freshman outside hitter JT Hatch was named an honorable mention AVCA All-American at the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship Banquet on the campus of Stanford University on Wednesday.
Hatch, the Freshman of the Year in the MPSF and a second-team all-league selection, led the Bruin team and ranked 13th in the MPSF in kills per set (2.91). He was earlier chosen to the Off the Block Freshman All-America team.
During the regular season, Hatch was twice selected Off the Block National Freshman of the Week. The initial award came after he registered a match-high 17 kills on a .469 hitting percentage in three sets of play in a win over CSUN. He had started that contest at libero and added seven digs. He then totaled 23 kills in a five-setter against Long Beach State where he became the first Bruin to reach the 20-kill mark for the season. His second award came after he registered a Bruin season-best 25 kills in a match at USC where he hit .380 and added four block assists.
Hatch reached the 10-kill mark in a team-high 13 matches this season, including in each of the last five contests of the season. His 28.0 points scored at USC was also a team season-high mark. Hatch, who hit .296 for the season, tied with fellow freshman Jake Arnitz by leading the team in kills in a total of 10 matches during the year.
The Mesa, Arizona native has also excelled in the classroom, earning a spot on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll in Winter quarter 2015.