Compete • Tyler
Hildebrand is motivated to excel
in volleyball. Tracey Roman / Daily
Forty-Niner
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Hildebrand’s competitive force ignites volleyball fire
By
Kim Oswell
Online Forty-Niner
Sports Editor
Competition and inspiration run thick through men’s volleyball player
Tyler Hildebrand. The Long Beach State men’s volleyball team is 8-1 overall
and 4-1 in MPSF and ranks No. 3 in the nation, largely due to the talented
play by Hildebrand.
The 6-foot-4 senior setter is majoring in psychology, but knows volleyball
will always be a part of his life.
“
It is fun to compete at a high level with my best friends,” Hildebrand
said. “After graduation I want to continue to play, maybe overseas, and
then coach volleyball.”
Hildebrand was born and raised in Mesa, Az. with his older sister and supportive
parents.
“
My parents never miss a game,” Hildebrand said. “They fly out for
every one.”
Hildebrand graduated from Red Mountain High School where he lettered in four
sports: basketball, golf, volleyball and baseball.
Since being at LBSU, he has been awarded 2003 MPSF Freshman of the Year, 2003
AVCA Newcomer of the Year, 2004 First Team All-America, 2004 First Team All-MPSF,
2005 First Team All-America and 2005 First Team All-MPSF.
The pressures of playing a college sport can consume an athlete’s free
time, but Hildebrand enjoys relaxing with his friends and playing videos games
in his off-campus apartment with fellow teammate Robert Tarr.
Volleyball is Hildebrand’s No. 1 focus, but he enjoys basketball and
football and likes the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals.
The men’s volleyball season has been impressive so far because of the
competetiveness of the players.
“
We’ve yet to beat a team that was comparable to us,” Hildebrand
said. “Our losses were very close games. I like competing at a Division
I level and playing as hard as I can everyday.”
Hildebrand ranks No. 3 all-time with 5,435 career assists at LBSU.
“
My motivation is to win a national championship,” Hildebrand said. “There
is nothing else I would rather be doing. I’m always trying to compete.” The
men play UC Santa Barbara today in The Walter Pyramid at 7:30 p.m.
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