Defending EIVA Champion Men’s Volleyball Announces Class of 2026

PRINCETON, N.J. – The defending Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Champion Princeton University men's volleyball team will welcome seven talented newcomers for the Class of 2026, as announced by Head Coach Sam Shweisky Tuesday.

Princeton will welcome Stefan Gjaja, Ryan Vena, Owen Mellon, Andrew Werner, Austin Kerker, Simon Xiao, and Kyle Gschwend.

"We are very excited to welcome the class of 2026 to our Princeton Volleyball family," said Shweisky. "They bring a great mix of athleticism, multi-positional ability, and above all a strong work ethic and growth mindset. This class is humble, kind and appreciative of the opportunities they have in front of them. We are so excited to see the lasting legacy they will leave on this program for the next four years and years to come after they have graduated. We can't wait to see these guys compete in Dillon gym soon!"

Stefan Gjaja
S | New Trier HS | Wilmette, Ill.

Before Princeton: First team All-Conference 2021 and 2022 … National Merit Scholar … U.S. Presidential Scholar Program Candidate … played for Adversity Volleyball Club … Carl Clader Award for Excellence in Physical Science … Outstanding Student of Mathematics Award … Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish.

Personal: Son of Marin and Kate Gjaja … has a brother, Niko Gjaja, and a sister, Alex Gjaja … his father Marin and brother Niko both played volleyball at Princeton.

Ryan Vena
MB | Loyola HS |Manhattan, Calif.

Before Princeton: First Team All-CIF … 15U Gold Medal

Personal: Son of Greg and Jennifer Vena … has a brother, Jackson Vena, and a sister, Kendall Jena … can juggle.

Owen Mellon
PIN | Appleby College | Oakville, Ontario

Before Princeton: Played for Parkmen Volleyball Club.

Personal: Son of Joanne and Jim Mellon … has three sisters, Lauren, Elysa, and Makenzi Mellon … has one brother, Quinton Mellon.

Andrew Werner
PIN | Brophy College Prep | Phoenix, Ariz.

Before Princeton: Recorded over 1,000 kills at Brophy over four years on varsity … played for Arizona Fear Volleyball Club … (2022) BJNC AAU bronze medal … (2021) Varsity Most Outstanding Player … First Team All-State … First Team All-Conference … First Team All-Region … Arizona Republic All-Arizona Team and Player of the Year Nominee … All Region Offensive Player of the Year … USA TODAY high school sports award nominee … (2019) Varsity Outstanding Offensive Player … All-Region 1st Team … Brophy Offensive Player of the Year … BJNC Silver medal.

Personal: Son of Mark and Jackie Werner … brother of Jack and Matthew Werner … parents met playing volleyball together … started playing volleyball because his brother wanted to play for their high school team, and he needed someone to practice with.

Austin Kerker
PIN/LIB | Alleman | East Moline, Ill.

Before Princeton: Valedictorian … 2022 BJNC 18 USA Gold Medalist … his club team, High Flyers 18 Red, competed at the 2022 USAV Boys Junior National Championships where they became the first boys volleyball team in Nebraska state history to win a national championship … Certificate of Academic Achievement from the University of Illinois System … Rock Island Rotary Academic Achievement Award … four-time Student of the Month … National Honor Society Executive Officer.

Personal: Son of Anthony and Wendy Kerker … has two sister, Gabrielle and Mackenzie Kerker … his high school didn't have a boys volleyball team.

Simon Xiao
LIB | United World College ISAK Japan | Auckland, N.Z

Before Princeton: Played for Ueda City NK Group Volleyball Club / Auckland Central Volleyball Club … New Zealand Youth Member of Parliament.

Personal: Son of Kevin Shaw and Minxi Wang … his mother and aunt played volleyball in high school and university … does blog writing work for a graffiti magazine.

Kyle Gschwend
S | WIndham HS | Windham, N.H.

Before Princeton: First Team All-State (2022) … Second Team All-State (2021) … N.H. DI State Champions (2021) … N.H. DI Runner Ups (2019, 2022) … Team Captain (2022) … Eagle Tribune Student Athlete of the Year Nominee … Salutatorian … NHS President … Science NHS President … Mu Alpha Theta Co-president … French NHS … AP Scholar with Distinction … National Merit Scholar … School Board Representative.

Personal: Son of Daniel Gschwend and Michelle Stith … has one sister, Kaelin … his father studied at Cornell, and mother studied at Centre College … has two dogs, Shadow and Pink.

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