Boston College Athletics
Volleyball Welcomes Five Newcomers For 2016 Season
November 12, 2015 | Volleyball
Coach Chris Campbell speaks highly of five who sign NLI's
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College head volleyball coach Chris Campbell announced Thursday that five players have signed national letters of intent and will join the Eagles for the fall 2016 season. With five players from the 2015 senior class graduating in the spring, Campbell seeks to fill their void while building around the 10 players who are set to return next season.
Joining the Eagles in 2016 are Jane DeJarld (Chicago, Ill.), Catherine Balido (Dallas, Texas), Jill Strockis (San Diego, Calif.), Marisa Sacco (San Diego, Calif.) and Jasmine Gritton (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Jane DeJarld | Setter
Jane DeJarld is a 5-foot-10 setter from Chicago, Ill. who plays for Mother McAuley, the 14-Time IHSA State Champion high school in Chicago. Dejarld also played on the club team, Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy, in Evergreen Park. Jane has previously competed in the USA Junior Olympic Tournament. She will join fellow setter Camille Oemcke next season.
Campbell said of Dejarld, "Jane is an extremely talented setter and an extremely competitive player. She affects the game both by the skills she brings to the court and the leadership and heart she displays on the court. Her results, for both one of the best high schools in the state of Illinois, and one of the top clubs in the region, are indicative of both of those."
Cat Balido | Right Side
Catherine 'Cat' Balido plays for the Skyline Volleyball Club and Bishop Lynch High School of Dallas, Texas. The 6-foot right side hitter of Bishop Lynch, ranked 99th nationally and 24th in Texas by MaxPreps, is a two-time TAPPS 5A state champion.
Campbell stated, "Cat is a very versatile volleyball player. She plays for one of the top clubs in Texas who can pay on both the right and the left. She has good ball control, a good range of shots and a great volleyball IQ. We are very excited to have her join our program."
Jill Strockis | Outside Hitter
Jill Strockis, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from San Diego, Calif. played for Torrey Pines HS and Wave Volleyball Club, one of the top-10 volleyball clubs in the country. She joins current freshman Camille Oemcke and fellow newcomer Marisa Sacco who have previously played for Wave. Strockis has also seen time as a libero.
Speaking of what Jill will bring to the BC squad, Campbell said, "Jill stands out in her all-around skills, which is typical of players from the Wave volleyball club. She has great ball control, great range of shots on her hit and a great volleyball IQ. Playing for one of the top clubs and one of the top high schools in the nation gives her a level of experience that will help her transition to collegiate volleyball be a smooth one."
Marisa Sacco | Libero
Joining Strockis from Wave Volleyball Club is 5-foot-8 libero Marisa Sacco of Cathedral Catholic HS in San Diego. She was the starting libero for the 2012 CIF Div. III State Champion team.
Campbell said, "Marisa brings a quiet, intense leadership to the court. Very good ball control off serve receive, great defensive instincts and a really good vision on the court to read the plays as they are developing."
Jasmine Gritton | Middle Blocker
The fifth player to sign her national letter of intent with Boston College on Thursday was Jasmine Gritton of the Mizuno Long Beach Volleyball Club team. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker and outside hitter of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. is a four-time national junior Olympian and three-time Nike All-American.
Campbell added, "Jasmine's club is one of the top in California and the nation. She can play middle and does so with exceptional speed, but she also has the versatility to play on the outside. That versatility will serve her well at BC because we can use her in a number of different roles."
The Eagles five seniors - Franny Hock, Kam McLain, Sarah Mendes, Mallori Moffat and Katty Workman will all graduate following the season.
Â
