With 5 Starters Returning From EIVA Finalist, Tigers Add Depth, Versatility In Class Of 2022

Head coach Sam Shweisky can feel the momentum building for the Princeton men's volleyball program, and he is excited to build on that with a strong incoming class of freshmen who he hopes can help the Tigers take that final step in the EIVA.

Princeton rallied from a 1-11 start last season to reach the EIVA postseason — a run that included the Tigers' first sweep of Penn State in program history — and then it upset top-seeded George Mason to reach its first championship match since 2014. Five starters from that team return, including All-America opposite George Huhmann and three other current underclassmen, but Shweisky brings in a versatile, talented group of four newcomers to make up the 2019 Princeton squad.

"We are very excited for the class of 2022 to join our team this coming season," Shweisky said. "They are athletic, hardworking, and driven to keep improving. We can't wait to add them to the roster and get them in the gym as soon as possible."

The Class of 2022 includes Attila Delingat, Jerod Nelson, Nate Thompson, and Brady Wedbush, a quartet that has played at high national and, in some cases, international levels. You can read more about each below.

Attila Delingat
MB • 6-9 • Los Altos, Calif.
Los Altos

Before Princeton — led the Bay to Bay 17-1s to a Top-5 finish in the club division at Nationals … competed at the USAV High Performance A3 camp … played in the 2018 Cornacchia World Cup with the NorCal High Performance Team; will compete in the HP Championships this summer … first-team all-league honoree … recipient of the Coaches Award … team captain … California Scholastic Federation member … received a Class Award for design and prototyping.

Personal — born July 22, 2000 … son of Marc and Anke Delingat … has a younger brother Nemo and a younger sister Svea … enjoys playing the guitar and cooking … plans to study mechanical engineering.

Why Princeton?
I chose Princeton because it offered me the opportunity to keep playing volleyball at a highly competitive level while being able to study under some of the most renowned professors in the world. When I visited I loved the team atmosphere and everything felt like the perfect fit for me.

Shweisky on Delingat:
Attila Delingat is everything you could want from a big middle blocker. BIG, hardworking, with zero quit and an incredible thirst for knowledge and growth mindset. Attila has improved dramatically in the past year and we can only extrapolate where his ceiling may be as he continues to improve. With Attila the sky is literally the limit!

Jerod Nelsen
OH • 6-7 • Monte Sereno, Calif.
St. Francis

Before Princeton — member of the 2017 USA Volleyball Youth National Team; scored the third-most points for Team USA during the Championships in Bahrain (Sam Shweisky was the Team USA head coach) … 2017 FloVolleyball and Volleyball Magazine High School All-American … two-time West Catholic League Player of the Year … selected to the 2016 USA Youth Indoor Holiday Camp … led St. Francis to multiple Top-3 finishes in the CIF NorCal playoffs, as well as two league titles and one sectional title … club team won five national qualifiers and reached quarterfinal at the 17 Open Boys Junior Nationals … won the 2017 SCVA Winter Classic and had two top-three SCVA Summer Classic finishes … played competitive basketball growing up, but ultimately chose to focus solely on volleyball.

Personal — born April 12, 2000 … son of Nels and Doreen Nelsen … has two older sisters, Brenna and Kaley; Brenna was a varsity golfer at Harvard … enjoys music, sports, and travel … plans to study either computer science or operations research and financial engineering at Princeton.

Why Princeton?
I'm excited for the many diverse experiences Princeton has to offer. Princeton's combination of outstanding academics and highly competitive athletics are unrivaled. Growing up in sunny California all my life, I'm excited to experience the seasons and snow—even if it means cold weather. Finally, the team's kindred, brotherhood spirit is a really exciting trademark of the Princeton program.

Shweisky on Nelsen?
Jerod Nelsen is an incredibly talented volleyball player. His ball control and volleyball IQ make him one of the most accomplished and decorated athletes we have had join our program in recent history. Having had the opportunity to coach Jerod in Bahrain with the USA Youth National Team gave me great insight to how Jerod would perform under intense pressure situations. Watching how well Jerod handled competing the FIVB U-19 championships instilled in me a lot of confidence of what Jerod can do for this program in the years to come. Though Jerod's ball control is certainly his strength, his ability to hit a variety of international shots make him a potent weapon at the net as well. We are excited to see what Jerod can bring to our gym this coming season.

Nate Thompson
OH • 6-7 • Phoenix, Az.
Brophy College Prep

Before Princeton — earned first-team all-state honors … named 2018 Most Outstanding Player and 2017/2018 Most Offensive Player for team … 2018 Las Vegas Easter Invitational MVP; named to the 2017 Las Vegas Easter Invitational all-tournament team … team captain … 2018 Scholar-Athlete Award recipient … National Honor Society member.

Personal — born Jan. 13, 2000 … son of Doug and Amanda Thompson … has two older brothers, Bradford and Colin, and a younger brother Caden … enjoys skiing, fishing, and hiking … plans to study economics at Princeton.

Why Princeton?
I chose Princeton because it offers a world-class education and competitive volleyball. While these two components were key in my college search, I was blown away by the people at Princeton. On my visit, I felt an amazing sense of camaraderie throughout the entire campus, especially within the volleyball program. I enjoyed everything about the school and I just wanted the opportunity to do my part in contributing to its unique community. Plus, it's impossible to say no to the #1 ranked University according to US News and World Report. I am very grateful to Coach Shweisky for giving me the chance to be a part of a very special team at an incredible school.

Shweisky on Thompson:
Nate Thompson is a physical multi-sport athlete who has the physique to be an incredibly powerful attacker in the EIVA as well as the NCAA. Nate has a great physical leap as well as strong frame that generates a tremendous amount of power when he swings. Nate's power helps him amass kills from all sides of the net, and his supreme leaping ability make him a potent threat from the back row as well. As Nate continues to improve his ball control and adapt to the college game, he will no doubt help raise the level in our gym this season.

Brady Wedbush
OH/OPP • 6-7 • Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Loyola

Before Princeton — starting opposite for Loyola, which earned #1 national ranking by MaxPreps in 2017 … led Loyola to 2017 state championship and earned All-CIF Southern Section honors … started at opposite in 2016 and led Loyola to Mission League title and CIF SS Division I championship … played with current Princeton setter Joe Kelly on the club team Rockstar and won a bronze at Boys Junior Nationals … earned Loyola Offensive Player of the Year and Academic Player of the Year … took a gap year after graduating in 2017 and played in the men's first division in the Netherlands … graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Personal — born Sept. 26, 1998 … son of Gary and Kelly Wedbush … has an older sister Lilly and three younger siblings: Henry, Ruby, and Quincy … cousin Jackson Wedbush played at USC … enjoys playing the guitar, beach volleyball, and surfing … plans to study engineering, and particularly interested in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Why Princeton?
Princeton was one of my top choices because of its excellent academic reputation especially in engineering. However, once I experienced the beauty of the campus and I met and got to know the coaching staff and team it became the ultimate school for me.

Shweisky on Wedbush:
Brady Wedbush is a very talented six rotation player who can play both outside hitter as well as opposite. Brady already has a very high volleyball IQ, but his time off this past year has given him a maturity most incoming freshmen don't yet have. Brady is cool under pressure but has a fire in him that will add a great spark to our team this season.

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