UC High Boys Beach Volleyball Player Senior Jacob Brantuas, a star standout on the team, is inspiring others both on and off the sand. Known for his consistency, leadership, and aggression on the court, Brantuas has become a key player not only because of his athletic skill but also because of how he elevates everyone around him. Whether it’s leading warm-ups, encouraging his teammates during drills, or celebrating every point, everyone around him feels his presence on the sand.
Brantuas, one of the team’s captains, hopes to help lead the team to success. “Some goals I have for this season are to win the playoffs and win the end-of-the-year pairs tournament [which is a competition with the top pair in each school],” said Brantuas.
His passion for the sport is something that his teammates admire most. Senior Jonan Merle, who is partnered with Brantuas on Varsity’s First Seed – the top pair on the team – said that Brantuas is a great role model for the team. “I think what makes Brantuas a great player is his hunger to win and to put on a show. Besides his mentality, Brantuas is a great player because of his physical presence on the court. He touches 11 feet on his approach jump, which is a whole foot above a basketball rim,” said Merle.
Merle also mentioned that what makes Brantuas a great leader is his well-roundedness. “As a teammate, Brantuas is someone whom I can always count on to compete and play at a high level with,” said Merle.
Not only is Brantuas known for his teamwork and competitiveness on the sand, but he has also made a positive impact on his teammates through his athleticism and maturity. Freshman Inwoo Park said, “Brantuas is really cool because he jumps high and hits the ball very hard. He is a role model and helps inspire everyone on the team. His jumping skills, athleticism, and competitiveness motivate me to want to become a better volleyball player.” This admiration demonstrates how Brantuas’ impact goes beyond just his skills on the court; he inspires younger players to push harder, play smarter, and carry themselves with the same confidence he does.
Brantuas started playing volleyball in his freshman year of high school. Playing both indoor and beach volleyball all four years of high school, Brantuas has improved tremendously and has become an outstanding player.
Coach Mark Salata, who has been coaching Brantuas throughout his high school years, said that he is a player who poses a problem for his opponents, both due to his defensive skills as a blocker and his improved attacking abilities. “As a blocker, he actively reads the hitter as he is blocking, a rare skill developed by players. As a hitter, he has the skill to drop bombs on the opposition, but this year, I see a level of shots that he didn’t have last year. It’s exciting to see his diversity of attacks,” said Salata.
Being on Varsity’s First Seed, Brantuas has already proved himself capable of playing against tough competitors and holding his ground against them. Salata said, “His future is a bright one if he continues on this trajectory. Each day, he knows how far to push himself to be physically and mentally ready for a match. Each match, he takes it, win or lose, as an opportunity to learn. I hope he continues to play volleyball in the future, but more importantly, I hope he continues to know what he’s worth by being just who he is.”
For the future, Brantuas said he would like to play volleyball professionally. “If colleges offered to play beach volleyball, I would pursue it, but since they don’t, my goal is to play indoor at Concordia.” His goal reflects not only his passion for the sport but also his willingness to put in the work required to compete at a higher level.
With his leadership, talent, and determination, Brantuas has become the heart of UC High’s Beach Volleyball Program. As he looks ahead to both team goals and his own future in the sport, one thing is clear: Brantuas’ impact will continue to be felt long after the season ends.