LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC San Diego men's volleyball team was recently out in the San Diego community as it visited Grant Elementary, part of the San Diego Unified School District.

Interacting with over 225 students in third through fifth grades, the Tritons displayed their passion for volleyball while teaching skills of the game.

“We really enjoyed getting out in the community and spreading the love of volleyball, said UC San Diego head coach Brad Rostratter. "The opportunity to engage with Grant Elementary was an amazing way to show our appreciation for the Sand Diego community and all they give to us. Seeing our scholar-athletes being great role models made me very proud to be leading the high-character young men in our program.”

“The students were fired up to learn some volleyball techniques from the team, said Grant Elementary Physical Education teacher and former collegiate volleyball player Kevin Pratte. ”Coach Brad is building something special in La Jolla. The team is competing on the floor and beating high-level NCAA Division 1 programs. He and his staff stress the importance of being a whole student-athlete. The players are scholars in the classroom and role models in the community and he is encouraging his athletes to give back. My hat is off to Coach Brad and the Tritons." 

“The UC San Diego volleyball team provided an exceptional experience for our students," said Grant Elementary Principal Michele Cain. "Coach Brad and his team not only shared valuable volleyball skills but also demonstrated the importance of discipline, teamwork, and community engagement. 

At Grant, one of our goals is to create opportunities for all of our learners to clarify their future visions and pathways. We strive to bring the real world to our learners, and this visit did both of these things! It’s inspiring to see a top NCAA Division 1 program like UC San Diego investing in the growth and development of younger students. We are grateful for the visit and look forward to continuing this partnership in the future."