Leaving high school a semester early to pursue college volleyball at the age of 17 was a calculated risk for Tread Rosenthal. However, this gamble paid off as he was recently named the Big West Freshman of the Year, making history for the Hawaii men’s volleyball program. This accolade was voted on by the league’s six head coaches.
Standing at 6-foot-8, Rosenthal hails from Manhattan Beach, California, and is a member of the U.S. junior national team. Throughout the season, he was recognized as an All-Big West first-teamer and received a record six Big West Freshman of the Week honors. Despite some rookie mistakes, Rosenthal displayed promise in various aspects of the game, leading the team in service aces and assists.
This milestone marked the first time a Hawaii player received the Big West Freshman of the Year award during the program’s Big West tenure. The team had three players previously honored with this title while in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Additionally, Rosenthal’s achievement ended UH’s streak of four consecutive Big West player of the year awards.
While UH’s season came to an end in the Big West semifinals, head coach Alan Knipe of Long Beach State was named Big West Coach of the Year for the third time. The team’s next chapter begins as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament starting on April 30 at Long Beach State’s Walter Pyramid.