Incoming freshman Steve Klosterman has been sent home from a
tryout in Colorado Springs for the U.S. World University Games team
as an injury precaution.
According to UCLA head coach Al Scates, Klosterman went up to
block Long Beach State’s Scott Touzinsky in practice and was
hit hard on the head with the ball. Klosterman, the No. 1 overall
recruit in the nation, suffered an apparent concussion and was
feared to have a compressed vertebrae.
An MRI upon his return to Southern California, however, came out
well enough for him to be back on the beach playing volleyball.
In any case, Klosterman would have been a long shot to make the
final 12-man roster that is set to play later this month in Daegu,
Korea. The Huntington Beach Marina High graduate was one of only
three high school players invited to try out.
Klosterman, a 6-feet-7-inch opposite hitter, is expected to come
right in and start next year for a Bruin team that has struggled on
offense.
He has had a busy summer, taking home MVP honors at the Junior
Olympics last month in Phoenix. He led the LBC Black to a gold
medal in the 36-team 18 Open.
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Sophomore outside hitter Damien Scott was granted permission by
Scates to try out for the football team. Scott, who was listed last
year at 6 feet, 5 inches and 210 pounds, did not play the sport at
Santa Margarita High.
“I think he’ll be a good football player,”
said Scates, who once coached high school football.
“He’s big; he’s strong; he’s
quick.”
Scates said Scott, who had not made the team as of Friday, would
return for volleyball at the conclusion of football season.
The previous player to walk on the football team as a wide
receiver was pretty good. Danny Farmer racked up a UCLA all-time
record of 3,020 career receiving yards from 1996-1999 and is now
with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sophomore opposite hitter James Jessen walked on this past year
and played on special teams but left the team in the spring after
undergoing shoulder surgery.
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Former UCLA stars Adam Naeve and Erik Sullivan were named to the
2003 Pan American Games team Tuesday. They began competition Sunday
in the Dominican Republic.