UC SANTA BARBARA
2015 All-MPSF Honorable Mention
2014: Saw action in 26 out of 27 matches and 78 sets … Recorded 208 kills with an average of 2.67 kills per set … Recorded a total of 13 service aces, 96 digs and 1.23 digs per set … Rounded out the season with 38 total blocks … Had a season-high 18 kills in a four-set win against MPSF regular season champion BYU on Apr. 11 ... Named MPSF Player of the Week on Apr. 14 after totaling 30 kills in a pair of UCSB wins over Cal Baptist and BYU.
2013: Finished the season with 56 kills, 29 digs, nine total blocks and three assists in 11 matches. Set a career-high with 12 kills against Cal State Northridge.
2012: Appeared in eight matches, picking up 24 kills as an outside hitter. Also contributed 28 digs, 7 assists, and 12 blocks.
2011: Redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Coach Steve Conti at Corona Del Mar High School ... As both an outside hitter and opposite, was named the Pacific League MVP in 2010, as well as being named to the All-CIF First Team ... Earned two gold medals, two All-Tournament team berths, and one Tournament MVP honor in three years at the Junior Olympics.
PERSONAL
Born Sep. 2, 1992 to Dave and Carol Nielsen ... Has two older siblings, sister Britta and former UCSB outside hitter Blaine ... Majors in history ... Enjoys playing ping-pong and going to the beach in his free time ... Favorite movie is A Knight's Tale ... Listens to The Shins ... Favorite books are the Wheel of Time series ... Brandon Sanderson is his favorite writer ... Roots for the Los Angeles Angels, with Mike Trout being his favorite athlete ... Watches Game of Thrones ... Lists the 2011 UCSB Men's Volleyball run through the playoffs as his most memorable athletic achievement.
