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BYU's Trent Moser (left) and Luke Benson celebrate a point during a men's college volleyball match against Ohio State at the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Anthony Cherfan (13) and Trent Moser (9) lead the team in celebrating a point during a men's college volleyball match against Fairleigh Dickinson at the Smith Fieldhouse on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's (from left) Kapono Browne, Gavin Julien and Trent Moser rise up for a block in a men's college volleyball match against UC Santa Barbara at the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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For one Grand Canyon refugee, it’s a homecoming.

For the others, it’s a new place to call home.

In late April, Grand Canyon University opted to cut its highly successful men’s volleyball program, an Olympic sports casualty due to the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

Trent Moser, who played for BYU in 2023 and 2024 before transferring to the ‘Lopes program, leads a group of four athletes from Grand Canyon that are coming to Provo.

Moser is a 6-foot-7 outside hitter who should thrive in BYU’s offense for his senior season. Moser brings with him 6-5 outside hitter Connor Oldani, 6-5 setter Kyle Zediker and 6-5 middle blocker Max Phillipe.

BYU is replacing a senior class led by pin hitters Luke Benson, Miks Ramanis and Keoni Thiim as well as middle blocker Teon Taylor and setter Noa Haine. Benson, Ramanis, Thiim and Taylor all started the majority of matches in 2025.

The Cougars finished 19-10 overall and 7-5 in MPSF play, losing in the league tournament semifinals in a five-set match with Stanford. BYU averaged the second-highest home attendance in the nation (3,994) but hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2021.

Here is the news release from BYU about the signings:

“BYU men’s volleyball head coach Shawn Olmstead has officially announced the additions of Trent Moser, Connor Oldoni, Kyle Zediker and Max Phillipe to his 2026 roster.

All four players are coming to BYU following the announcement of the GCU men’s volleyball program being discontinued on April 28, with three transfers and one former commit.

“We are excited about the addition of these athletes to our program here at BYU,” said Olmstead. “All of them come from a very solid background of volleyball and competition. Kyle, Connor and Trent come to us from GCU and will add valuable experience to our roster. We’ve also watched Max for some time now and love his energy and commitment to improvement.”

“Each of these guys have a wonderful support network that will continue to assist them with the transition to our program which we anticipate will be exciting and competitive for all involved,” said Olmstead.

Moser is transferring to Provo for his senior season. The native of Gilbert, Arizona played two seasons for the Cougars before leading Grand Canyon in kills in 2025, earning an Honorable Mention All-American status from the AVCA to conclude the season. Moser was also named to the All-MPSF Freshman Team in 2023 and started in nine games for the Cougars in 2024.

“Cougar fans will be excited about the return of Trent to our team,” said Olmstead. “Our guys have maintained a wonderful friendship with him and it was an easy welcome home when that time came. He had an outstanding season last year and anticipate he will continue to grow and lead our group forward.”

Odani is a native of Phoenix, Ariz., and played at GCU in his freshman season, totaling 46 kills, 11 blocks, 18 digs and four aces. Before GCU, Oldani was a two-year captain in high school and named to the AVCA All-American Second Team. He was the Arizona 6A State Player of the Year, winning the state title his senior year of high school.

Zediker (Lisle, Ill.) is transferring from GCU after one year with the program. He appeared in 16 matches for the Lopes in 2025, totaling 219 assists, 29 digs, 19 blocks and 12 kills. He recorded a season-high 45 assists against Stanford on April 18, defeating the Cardinal in five sets in GCU’s final game of the regular season. Before GCU, Zediker was a three-year captain in high school and was named First Team All-Conference in 2022 and 2023.

Philippe was previously committed to play at Grand Canyon University until the school announced the cutting of its varsity program this spring. The Houston native played for Houston Volleyball Academy, and was invited by USA Volleyball to the first National Team Development Program Experience at the 2024 Boys Junior National Championship. Philipe also graduated from Carnegie Vanguard High School this summer.

Philipe will join Corbin Batista, Evan Olmstead, Layton Bluth, Tyler Johnson and Trey Thornton as the sixth member of the Cougars’ 2025 signing class.”