HACKENSACK, N.J. - Fairleigh Dickinson men's volleyball head coach Karl France announced Tuesday the addition of five student-athletes to his squad's inaugural roster.

Joining the team are New Jerseyans Lorenzo Bonomo and Mihajlo Rodic, Portugal's Rui Fernandes and Grady Hoffman and Eamon Pool-Harris, both residents of California.

Beginning with Bonomo, the 6'2" outside hitter/libero joins the Knights after a stellar career at Williamstown High School where the Williamstown, N.J. native garnered several accolades for his athletic prowess including being named to the First Team All-Conference (Tri-County Conference), First Team All-Section (NJSIAA South) and was named the South Jersey Player of the Year by the South Jersey Times/NJ.com. In addition to high school action, Bonomo played for the Eastern Volleyball Academy and earned honor roll recognition throughout all four years of high school. He also received the Scholastic Achievement Award at Williamstown and plans to study Biology "on the Hackensack."

On Bonomo's skill, France remarked, "This 'high flyer' from Williamstown was named All-South in New Jersey in 2021. Lorenzo will give us some depth at the outside hitter position but with a good camp can break into the starting lineup in 2022."

Joining him on the roster is a fellow student-athlete from the Garden State in Rodic, a middle blocker from Clifton, N.J. Rodic is a versatile player who played his high school ball at Clifton High School where he also participated in cross country and indoor track. Rodic is also a member of the worldwide high school organization Key Club International and participated in academic decathlon while a member of the Mustangs.

"Mihajlo will be the hidden gem of the group," said France. "The Clifton High School product helped the Mustangs reach the second round of the state playoff. At 6'9" he will be our tallest player and I feel he will develop into a great Knight in years to come."

From Jersey across the pond to Guimarães, Portugal, France welcomes graduate student Fernandes to Bergen County as the 6'4" setter comes to FDU following time at the University of Minho where he helped lead the team to the 2018-19 Portugal National University Championship and nearly followed it up in 2020-21 in the U-21 National Championship where his side finished second as the "vice-champion."

"A graduate student from Portugal, Rui comes highly regarded in the volleyball community. He is a product of the Portugal National Team system having been selected to the 2018 CEV U-20 training team," said France. "He can be a great setter for our program."

The final two members of France's third group of signees are Hoffman and Pool-Harris, of Palos Verdes Estates and Long Beach, California, respectively.

Hoffman joins the Burgundy and Blue having accumulated an impressive resume with Palos Verdes High School and his club, Team Rockstar. A starter and captain with both his school and club sides, the 6'1" Hoffman was the 2019 Varsity Defensive Player of the Year in addition playing among the best in the nation as a member of the 2019 USA Volleyball A1 National Training Program where he spent two weeks in the Sunshine State representing the stars and stripes. During his time in the Boys Junior National Championships (U-14 through U-17), Hoffman helped his side log top-five finishes in the open division. Additionally, Hoffman was also a member of the 2016 USA Volleyball HP Beach squad.

"Grady Hoffman is a winner," said France. "A pivotal part of his club team success during his years with Team Rockstar in California, I look for him to compete for a role as our libero."

A fellow California native, Hoffman is joined by former club teammate Pool-Harris who comes to FDU from Long Beach City College. Playing his high school action at St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Calif., Pool-Harris was a four-year varsity starter for the Saints and was a three-time First Team All-League Honoree. A member of Team Rockstar from 2015 through 2020, Pool-Harris participated in the USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championship four times, including a second-place finish during his U-15 season earning him a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Further, both his parents played intercollegiate athletics with his mother earning regional All-American honors as a soccer player at Sonoma State and his father playing four years of NCAA football, including stints at Division I institutions UC Davis and San Diego and Division II squad Sonoma State.

"Eamon is another high flyer with the ability to play multiple positions," said France. "He will bring a major league arm into our gym along with a great work ethic and a team-first mindset."

FDU men's volleyball is set to begin play in January 2022. Follow the Knights on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsMVB.