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Princeton University Athletics
Men's Volleyball Welcomes Five to Class of 2028
October 16, 2024 | Men's Volleyball
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton men’s volleyball team is excited to welcome five talented newcomers in the Class of 2028. Hailing from California, New York and Wisconsin, the new Tigers bring a plethora of achievements on and off the court. Read on to learn more about the new ‘28 Tigers!
Ambrose Engling
Ambrose Engling comes to Princeton from Middleton, Wis., where the outside hitter was named the 2023 Wisconsin State Volleyball Player of the Year after winning the Wisconsin State Championship.
Engling, a Fab 50 Recruit, also made the USA Beach Volleyball U19 National Team.
In high school, Engling was an AVCA High School Indoor Volleyball Second Team All-American honoree, while also earning the AVCA Best and Brightest First Team Award.
Off the court, Engling was a member of the Eagle Scouts, earning the World Conservation Award and Bronze Palm.
Engling was also involved with Health Occupations Students of American (HOSA), serving as an officer at the state level. He also took second place in Health Career Exploration at the HOSA International Leadership Conference.
When asked why he chose Princeton, Engling cited “the unparalleled academic environment, the strong alumni network, the history of athletic success, the wide breadth of university-funded opportunities for students, the beautiful campus, and the culture of the volleyball team” as reasons he will be donning orange and black this year.
Ethan Wells
Ethan Wells, a native of Davis, Calif., joins the Tigers after being named to the All-Delta League Team for three consecutive years. Wells also made the All-Section Team two years in a row.
The 6’7 middle blocker also trained with the USA Volleyball (USAV) National Team Development Program twice.
Before he started playing volleyball, Wells swam competitively for eight years.
Outside of volleyball, Wells volunteered at a non-profit bike shop for four years, and is an enthusiast of spending time outdoors whether hiking or mountain biking.
The aspiring mechanical and aerospace engineering major also enjoys working on cars in his free time.
Looking to college, Wells wanted a school that would allow him to play volleyball at a higher level while setting him up well post-graduation. Princeton, offering such a balance, was the place where Wells felt most at home. “I knew that Princeton volleyball was unique and that over the next four years I would gain valuable skills and knowledge from the team and coaches,” Wells said.
Roan Alviar
Roan Alviar joins the Tigers after playing with the USA Volleyball U21 National Team and helping the USA win gold at the 2024 U21 NORCECA Continental Championship.
Alviar’s experience at the national level also dates back to his time with the U19 side in 2023.
The 5’10 libero was an Amateur Athletic Union Nationals winner in the 16s division, making the 2022 all-tournament team also.
Alviar chose Princeton for the culture of the volleyball team and the incredible academics, and he is excited to “learn as much as he can academically while playing top tier volleyball” in the Orange & Black.
Kevin Yang
Making the trip down I-95, Kevin Yang comes to Princeton from New York City, where the 6’4 pin hitter excelled in volleyball at Trinity School.
Yang helped lead his team to winning both the NYSAIS and Ivy Prep League championships in 2024.
For his efforts, Yang received the Trinity School Alumni Award in 2023 and 2024, also making the First Team All-Ivy in the Ivy Prep League.
Beyond the court, Yang earned the Faculty Award for Strength of Character, the Lemaire Prize for Citizenship and the Thomas D. Armitage Award during his time at Trinity, also graduating as a member of the Cum Laude Society.
A well-rounded athlete, Yang also used to play ice hockey for nine years.
Yang, an aspiring economics major, is looking forward to “making some incredible memories” as he begins his first year at Princeton.
Mason Rice
Mason Rice, a 6’5 pin hitter, comes to Princeton after participating in multiple USAV National Team Development Programs and making the First Team All-CIF Division 2 in 2023.
Rice also excelled academically at San Marcos High School, earning the National Hispanic Honor Award and serving as a member of the National Honor Society.
A native of Buellton, Calif., Rice is excited to live on the East Coast and experience all the seasons. Rice also chose Princeton because of the unique, positive culture on campus.
In addition to playing volleyball and studying Philosophy, Rice’s interests include DJ-ing, making music and caring for his bonsai trees.
“I am most excited to become part of a greater purpose, that being the volleyball team,” Rice said, looking to his first year at Princeton, “We are all working together to create the best product, which wouldn’t be possible without a single person on the team.”
