Men’s Volleyball: OCC standout Grasso heads to USC

Gianluca Grasso, who helped the Orange Coast College men’s volleyball team reach the finals of the state men’s volleyball championship last season, will be playing volleyball and attending school at USC, Pirates Coach Travis Turner said.

Grasso, who came to OCC by way of Andrews Osborne Academy (Ohio), was second on the Pirates’ squad with 241 kills, 145 digs, 40 aces and 30 blocks, earning co-MVP honors of the Pacific Coast Conference, along with former teammate Adrian Faitalia.

“Not only is Gian one of the best athletes I have coached he is one of the kindest kids I have had in this program,” Turner said in a release. “He consistently put his teammates ahead of himself. We wish Gian nothing but the best at USC. He is in the best of hands with USC head coach Jeff Nygaard and his staff.”

A steady offensive threat for the Pirates, Grasso played in 22 of 24 matches and reached double figures in kills in 16 of those matches, including a season-best 20 kills against Long Beach in the California Community College Athletic Assn. Men’s Volleyball State Championship on April 30.

“His skill set is uncommon and when he’s up in the air, his body control is amazing,” Turner said prior to the start of the 2016 season. “His ability to make split-second decisions while in mid-air is something that can’t be taught.”

Grasso helped guide the Pirates to a 21-3 overall record and PCC-best 13-1 conference record, reaching the state finals match before falling to Long Beach City College in four sets.

— From staff reports