WESTON, Mass. - The Regis Women's volleyball program continues its national recruitment with nine incoming freshmen for the fall of 2015. The incoming class includes athletes from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, California, Puerto Rico and Oregon.
Erika Andreoli becomes the second member from Connecticut to join the Regis squad in the last two years, coming to the Pride from Naugatuck High School where she excelled as a dual sport athlete in both softball and volleyball. As a libero for her high school and club program, Coach Wright is confident in her defensive contributions to boost the team's floor skills. Erika will be majoring in exercise science this fall.
Helping fill the middle, Domenikky Arruda comes to the Pride from Marlborough Mass., with a focus on studying business, she also looks to pursue her athletic ventures on the court. As a standout middle in high school, she looks to make big contributions for the Regis squad at the net both offensively and defensively. Arruda will add more depth at an important position with a young class of players looking to prove they belong on the court.
Rachel Bartels joins the Pride from Edinburg, Texas where she was able to showcase her skills as a middle blocker on the court for four years. Her efforts gained her great recognition as she was awarded All District MVP in 2014, as well as First Team All-District in 2012 and 2013, as well as the Newcomer of the Year 2011. She has also been given the honor of leading her team as the captain for her junior and senior seasons. Rachel looks to study Biology and exercise science while helping push Regis back to championship contention.
Mackenzie Emco adds depth to the Pride roster at the middle blocker position. A Sutton, Mass. native, Mackenzie looks to study elementary education while bringing her game to the net at Regis. "Mack is going to be a great addition for our net defense with her length and ability to read and will be a great attribute alongside current Pride players," said Coach Wright. Mackenzie looks to bring both her high school and club experience to Regis to strengthen the front line.
Coming out of Downey, Calif., is Caroline Fuentes, sister to libero Jonathan Fuentes on the men's team, making them the first sibling pair to join the Regis volleyball program. Caroline joins the Pride as a well decorated outside and defensive specialist receiving recognitions as MVP and First Team All-League in 2014. As much success as she has on the court, she also excels in the classroom being recognized with the President's Education Award, CSF Life Membership Award, NHS Life Membership Award and graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Victoria Godfroy makes her transition to collegiate athletics from Lowell Catholic high school where she was able to set a strong foundation for her future. Victoria was recognized as the Most Improved player in both 2013 and 2014; she has also served as team captain for both her high school and club team the past two seasons. Similar to many of her classmates, she was a dual sport athlete participating in lacrosse during the spring season. She joins Regis to focus her academic goals as a member of the Nursing program.
Amanda Lytle from Sacramento, California leaves her twin sister to pursue her academic and athletic career at Regis. Amanda has played most of her volleyball career alongside her sister and looks to take advantage of the opportunities at Regis to explore a new area. Lytle is a well decorated defensive player and student receiving the Coaches award in 2013 and 2014 in both club and high school ball along with being a four year Honor Roll student.
Emma Morales will be pursing her academics in Biochemistry while providing addition floor defense for the Pride. Leaving the island of Puerto Rico for the New England weather, Emma has academic and athletic recognitions, being named to the Honor Roll and earning the NHS President's Education Award along with PR Cardiovascular Association recognition. Her skills on the court helped lead her team to a second place finish in the 2013 AAU Gold Division. Emma's vocal leadership and court vision will be great attributes to the Pride's defensive prowess.
Rounding out the class of 2019 is Talisha Ruffi from Portland, Oregon and she comes to Regis to study International Relations and pursue her passion for volleyball. Talisha hopes to use her degree to continue her exploration of the countries around the world. A well-recognized defensive specialist throughout her league, Ruffi was named her high school's team MVP in 2014 while serving as the team captain and being named Honorable Mention All-League. She was also a 2013 Second Team-All League selection, and grabbed another Honorable Mention nod in 2012.
The Pride opens up the 2015 season on Friday, September 4, at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational.