MVB Adds Gooch and Decker to Recruiting Class

UCLA head men's volleyball coach John Speraw and his staff announced the signing of two more elite student-athletes on Thursday. Joining the Bruins for the 2023 season will be libero Troy Gooch and opposite David Decker.
 
Gooch, a native of Lancaster, N.Y., comes to the Bruin program after transferring from Purdue University Fort Wayne where he started in 57 matches from 2019-2022. He was an honorable mention American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America and first-team All-Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) selection in 2022 after ranking No. 9 in the nation with a 2.37 digs per set average. Gooch recorded a career-best 20 digs in an April match against Ball State and compiled a .967 serve reception mark on 702 attempts. In 2021, he was selected to the first-team All-MIVA squad after leading the league with a 2.55 digs per set average which ranked fifth in the nation. He posted a .974 serve reception percentage on 392 attempts.
 
Decker is a 6-8 opposite who played high school volleyball last season for one of Florida's top prep programs at Cardinal Gibbons HS in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He had over 500 total attacks and 253 kills to go along with 85 aces and 59 total blocks in his senior season. Decker played club volleyball for Ocean Bay Volleyball Club.
 
Gooch and Decker join an impressive list of student-athletes set to come to UCLA for the 2023 season. Coach Speraw earlier announced the signing of outside hitter Zach Rama, setter Andrew Rowan, middle blocker Christopher Hersh and libero Coleman McDonough.

Rama is a 6-8 outside hitter from Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix who was named the Arizona Player of the Year in 2021. He was named to the 2021 USA Youth National team. Rowan is a 6-6 setter from J Serra High School in San Juan Capistrano. He was also named to the 2021 USA Youth National Team and to the USA Collegiate National Training team as a high school junior. McDonough is a 5-11 libero from Seneca Valley Senior High School in Cranberry Township, Pa. He has been a four-year varsity starter and was named 2021 WPIAL Defensive Player of the Year, All-District 1st Team and earned a spot on the 2021 Pennsylvania All-State Team. Hersh is a 6-9 middle blocker from St. Francis High School in Mountain View who was invited to the USA National Team Development Program.

"We have really put together an outstanding class," said Coach Speraw. "This is a mature group of men made up of high achievers in the classroom, in the community and on the court. They bring a high level of commitment to the gym and will effortlessly add to the culture currently at UCLA. We are beyond thrilled to welcome these young men and their amazing families to UCLA."