High School
Played club volleyball for the Maryland Volleyball Program from 2002-2004 and for Apcef Brasilia from 2004-2006 ... helped his Apcef Brasilia team capture the 2004 and 2005 state championships, with the same squad finishing fourth at nationals ... with his Maryland Volleyball Program team, finished second in the state in 2002 and earned the state championship in 2003, finishing 10th at Nationals in 2004 ... received his French Baccalaureate in 2005 with honors.

Personal
Born Thomas Luiz Awazu Pereira da Silva on Sept. 24, 1986 in Paris, France ... parents are Luiz Awazu Pereira da Silva and Patrícia Estelle Amsellem ... has one sister, Sacha Elise Pereira da Silva ... mother, uncle and cousin all played volleyball in France while father was a French soccer player ... names math and biology as favorite school subjects, FC Barcelona and Tours Volleyball as favorite professional sports teams, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Giba and Dante as favorite athletes, "That 70's Show" as favorite television show, Roberto Begnini as favorite actor, Nicole Kidman as favorite actress and Australia as favorite place to visit.

Why Penn State?
"I chose Penn State for the great volleyball team, coach and spirit."

Quoting Coach Pavlik
"Thomas will add depth to our passing ranks and his improvement will allow us to show some variety with our offense."