ATLANTA – The Georgia State sand volleyball team added five players to its roster during the offseason. Four freshmen and one graduate student join a Panther squad that graduated one player after the inaugural season.
“This year we've expanded our roster from 12 to 16,” head coach Beth Van Fleet said. “We learned last year after our team was hit with the stomach flu how important depth was to a team. By having a larger roster, it has made our practices, drills and game more competitive. This will only help our team grow and get better.”
Moriah Bellissimo
Bellissimo will join the Panthers for one year as a graduate student. She was a four-year court volleyball letterwinner at Georgia Southern from 2009-12 and was a two-time winner of Georgia Southern's Student-Athlete of the Year award. In her four years in Statesboro, she played in 121 matches with 783 kills, 1,555 digs, 202 blocks, 185 assists and 87 aces. She was also second team All-SoCon and had a 4.0 GPA in nutrition and food science.
“Moriah epitomizes a model student-athlete,” Van Fleet said. “She joins our squad after four successful years at Georgia Southern where she earned multiple awards. She brings an incredible work ethic, leadership and game maturity to our team. In practice, you can see you her improving every single day as she transitions from court to sand. Moriah is very coachable and by the time March rolls around, she will be a threat in the sand.”
Sarah Agnew
Agnew comes to Atlanta from Coppell, Texas where she was an accomplished track and field athlete. She was a nationally-ranked pole vaulter and second team all-nation from 2009 to 2012. She was also an all-district, all-area and all-region selection in 2013. Agnew was a member of the 692 beach volleyball club team. She won a gold medal at the 2013 Gulf Shores-Gulf Coast Tournament and has medaled in every tournament since 2012 with partner Kelly Koop, who will play collegiate sand volleyball at North Florida. Agnew is also an accomplished equestrian.
“Sarah is a technician of the game,” Van Fleet said. “Every step has purpose and every contact has intent. She approaches the game with a mathematical equation. Sarah thrives under pressure. She brings to the team ball control, experience and a high sand volleyball IQ.”
Jessica Fourspring
Fourspring was a three-year letterwinner at Riverside High School in Greer, S.C. She was a 2011 and 2012 all-region selection and was the Riverside MVP in 2011 and 2012. She was a member of Club South, which was the 2012 Daytona Beach champion. Fourspring also was the named the Best of the Beach MVP in 2011 and named to the Battle of the Beach all-tournament team in 2012. Fourspring was a three-year letterwinner in track and field as well.
“Jessica is an athletic specimen,” Van Fleet said. “Her power and strength on the court will earn crucial points in games. She's a very hard worker and is quick to improve. She adds height to our roster and a fierce jump serve.”
Natalie Wilson
Wilson was a three-year letterwinner at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minn. She was an all-conference selection in 2011 and 2012. Wilson had 780 kills and 87 blocks in three years of court volleyball. Her team finished second in the state in 2010 with a 30-3 record. Wilson was also a member of MN Select, which finished fifth at the AAU Nationals in 2011.
“Natalie is an explosive athlete,” Van Fleet said. “She's also someone who brings height and strong blocking fundamentals. She's done a great job at improving and making the small adjustments we've given her in practice. Natalie pursues every ball in every drill and is improving by the day. She brings a complete game to our team.”
Delaney Rohan
Like Wilson, Rohan also hails from the state of Minnesota. Rohan was a four-year letterwinner at Totino-Grace High School in Brooklyn Park, Minn. She was named conference MVP and her team was conference champion 2010-12. Rohan was named one of the top 100 seniors in Breakdown Magazine in 2012. She set the school record for assists in a single season at 811 and career aces at 172. Rohan took first place at the 2010 and 2011 USAV Jr. Hawkeye open in sand volleyball and first place at the 2012 AAU Florida open. Rohan also was a two-year letterwinner in track and field.
“Delaney is a quiet killer,” Van Fleet said. “She has incredible touch on the ball. She makes plays on defense you would never expect her to make. Delaney is crafty and knows when to hit or shoot. She has great court vision and versatility. She brings some laughter to the team, but can also play any role asked of her. She also easily adjusts to whoever she is assigned to partner without missing a beat.”
Entering their second season, the Panthers are looking to build upon successes of their inaugural season.
“We built our foundation last year, and from the 12 players we had, 11 return,” Van Fleet said. “Lane Carico has gone on to play professionally and we can't be more proud of her success. For the 11 returnees, they have not only bought into the system we use, but also helped create it. They own it and it is exciting to watch them help the newcomers understand our expectations for skill, perseverance and how we do things here at GSU.
“It is truly a team effort even though when we compete it is a pairs atmosphere. There are going to be some great teams out there and we cannot wait to get back into sand competition.”
Georgia State will begin its second season on March 8 at the UNF Tournament in St. Augustine, Fla. The Panthers will face off with North Florida, Louisiana-Monroe, Florida International and South Carolina in the first official tournament of the season.
