(FREDERICTON, NB) With a new era of university volleyball about to begin in eastern Canada, the UNB Reds men’s volleyball team is unveiling its recruiting class of 2018.

The 2018-19 season will see UNB and Dalhousie, teams that formerly made up the Atlantic University Sport conference, join with three former RSEQ teams, Laval, Montreal and Sherbrooke, to form a new five-team league.

Following three consecutive AUS championships, the UNB Reds are adding some international size and power.

Outside hitter Eduardo Luchese, from Bento Goncalves, Brazil, and middle Erik Kodrič, from Ljublijana, Slovenia, have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent and will join the Reds in the coming season.

Standing 6’5”, Luchese comes to the Reds after a couple of successful seasons with Botafogo Volleyball Club. He helped Botafogo win back-to-back Rio de Janeiro state championships in 2016 and 2017, earning MVP honours in both seasons.

“Eduardo will bring a wealth of experience and leadership to our team and will make an immediate impact,” said Reds head coach Dan McMorran. “Our program has graduated four quality outside hitters over the past two seasons, so we’re excited for a player of his caliber to join our Reds family. He will certainly strengthen that position.”

“As a short-term goal, I hope to help the team win the new league and reach the nationals,” said Luchese. “As a long-term goal, I hope to get an excellent education and, of course, maybe one day, win the nationals.”

Luchese recently spent time at a Brazilian college and will pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at UNB.

“I’ve researched a lot of universities that could give me a good opportunity in volleyball, but also where I could receive a good education. UNB is the place that, I believe, is able to give me the best of both,” said Luchese.

Kodrič also stands 6’5”.

The middle recently celebrated a Slovenian championship with OK Črnuče Volleyball Club.

He was also a member of Slovenia’s U20 team that competed at the 2018 European Championship.

In U19 competition, Kodrič was named the best middle blocker in Slovenia’s national championship tournament.

“Erik is a solid player who has had a lot of international playing experience,” said McMorran. “He comes to us from one of the best clubs in Slovenia, and will be looked upon to strengthen our middle.”

“I was looking for a school with very strong academic and athletic programs,” said Kodrič. “UNB checked both boxes. I want to develop both as a person and as an athlete and I want to win a conference championship.”

Kodrič will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree at UNB.

Coach McMorran will introduce the remainder of his 2018 recruiting class the week of August 20-24.