Aug. 19, 2010

GATINEAU, Quebec, Canada - Two Stanford recruits have helped the United States junior national men's volleyball team into the semifinals of the NORCECA Championships, the regional event that determines the best from North and Central America, and the Caribbean.

Outside hitter Brian Cook and middle blocker Eric Mochalski are on the U.S. team that seeks to clinch one of the region's three automatic berths into the 2011 Junior World Championships in Brazil with one more victory, which could happen Friday.

The U.S. can do so in the 5 p.m. PT match when it plays in the semifinals against an undetermined opponent for a spot in Saturday's championship final.

The U.S. secured the Pool C title and a quarterfinal bye when it beat Mexico, 25-22, 25-19, 25-19, on Thursday to finish 3-0 in pool play. It was the third consecutive sweep for the U.S., which earlier beat Trinidad & Tobago, and Martinique. 

Mochalski, from Manhattan Beach, Calif., has started twice and played as a reserve in another. He has combined for nine kills and two service aces.

Cook, from Santa Cruz, Calif., played as a reserve in two matches, combining for two kills and an ace.

Cook and Mochalski are part of a seven-player recruiting class that will join the reigning NCAA champion Cardinal this fall.

Here is the complete Stanford incoming freshman class:

Outside hitter Brian Cook of Santa Cruz, Calif. (Soquel HS)
Libero Grant Delgado of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif. (Palos Verdes HS)
Middle blocker Denny Falls of New Lenox, Ill. (Providence Catholic HS)
Outside hitter Steven Irvin of Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Loyola HS)
Outside/opposite hitter Eric Mochalski of Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Mira Costa HS)
Libero Scott Sakaida of Honolulu (Iolani School)
Outside hitter Daniel Tublin of Pittsburgh, Pa. (Fox Chapel HS)