BOSTON, Mass. – Junior outside hitter Jake Reed (Arvada, Colo.) of the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball team recently completed a 10-day swing through Brazil in which some of the top Division III talent finished with a perfect 5-0 record against Brazilian competition in San Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Reed's efforts earned him most valuable player honors for the tournament.

The trip, which was hosted by USA Sports Tours and Events, not only featured matches against the top U-22 clubs, but it also consisted of an educational aspect as the student-athletes educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits. The team stayed on the famous Copacabana Beach and toured the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Team members also visited sites and venues that will be hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, to be held this August.

"Jake is a sensational player and his serving, attacking and passing were on point all week against some great talent in Brazil," said Ryan Lengerich, Head Men's Volleyball Coach at Mount St. Joseph who served as head coach of the team. "He earned the MVP honor, but most importantly I think he grew as a person from the trip, and really worked hard to learn about the culture and engage with the community."

A two-time All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference selection, Reed was a key member of this year's Leopard squad which captured its first GNAC title and garnered the program's first-ever bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Most Outstanding Player of the GNAC Tournament, Reed finished the season averaging 2.95 kills, 1.37 digs, and 0.48 service aces per set while hitting .340 on the year.