Ben Patch remains in Berlin for third consecutive season

BERLIN, Germany, August 7, 2020 – Star opposite Benjamin Patch is set to continue as Berlin Recycling Volleys’ main scorer after the 26-year-old American signed a new contract with the German club that will keep him in the country’s capital during the 2020-2021 club season.

The opposite has been part of the USA national team since 2015. He won a silver medal at the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and a bronze medal in 2018, as well bronze at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball World Championship and the 2019 FIVB World Cup.

His aspirations of representing his country at next year’s Olympics in Tokyo were an important factor in his decision to stay put with Berlin for another season.

“I’m really convinced that this is the best situation to prepare me for the Olympics, especially because of the European Champions League matches we’ll face,” the 2.03m-tall opposite explained. “That was an important reason for me to decide to extend my contract.”

Patch, a product of the Brigham Young University, who played for Italian club Vibo Valentia before arriving in Berlin, is excited about his next season with the team. The American is particularly looking forward to sharing the courts with the club’s new trio of middle blockers including 20-year-old German Anton Brehme and Brazilians Eder Carbonera, a gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and Renan Michelucci.

“Having new players to join the team is always exciting,” he said. “Anton is our future at the middle blocker position and the Brazilians can also be very important because they are always positive and work hard.”