The 49er women’s volleyball team has announced the signing of four players as part of the 2010 signing class following signing day. Long Beach State will be bringing in four high school players in Delainey Aigner-Swesey, Haleigh Hampton, Alma Serna, and Ashley Vazquez.
“I’m very happy with the quality of character and physical ability of this entire class,” commented head coach Brian Gimmillaro. “I feel that all four are going to make a big impact on our program.”
Delainey Aigner-Swesey: A 6-1 outside hitter from Serrano High School, she has been one of the team leaders for the last few years at Serrano, also the alma mater of current 49ers starter Caitlin Ledoux. “Delainey has a big, strong arm, and is a good all-around player,” Gimmillaro said. “There aren’t many tall players that pass as well as her. She is very similar to Caitlin as a player and so it’s interesting that they are both from the same place.”
Haleigh Hampton: Spending her senior year at Huntington Beach High School after transferring from Temescal Canyon High School, the 6-7 middle blocker will immediately give the 49ers a presence in the middle following the departure of seniors Naomi Washington and Brittney Herzog. “Haleigh is going to be a good player for us,” noted Gimmillaro. “She’s strong, competitive and is earnest in her attempts to be a top player.”
Alma Serna: Serna is a 6-3 outside hitter/middle blocker at Capistrano Valley High School, who projects to be a middle blocker at Long Beach State after leading the Cougars to and extended CIF run in 2009. Both Serna and Hampton were named “Senior Aces” by Prep Volleyball, ranking the Top 100 recruits in the nation. “Alma is one of the best athletes in the entire 2010 class,” Gimmilaro said. “She is very fast and explosive, and it’s exciting for us as a coaching staff to work with that kind of athlete.”
Ashley Vazquez: Straight out of Gurabo, Puerto Rico, Vazquez is a 6-1 setter that comes to the 49ers out of Colegia Catolico-Notre Dame, but has earned numerous accolades as a member of the Puerto Rico junior national team. Vazquez is an all-around threat that also plays on the right side, but earned MVP honors at the Under 18 club championships at the JVDA Championships this past year as a setter for Puerto Rican junior national squad. “Ashley is a true volleyball player,” Gimmillaro said. “She is a very good hitter and a very good setter, and plays a variety of positions. She is also a very mature player and person.”
The quartet joins a 49er program that will return all but two players from the 2009 team that currently is tied for the Big West lead.
Reports From LBSU