Nov. 21, 2008
Fullerton, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton Head Coach Carolyn Zimmerman announced Friday morning that the Titans have signed three volleyball players to National Letters of Intent for the 2009-10 academic school year during the early signing period that ended on Nov. 19.
The Titans will add a pair of incoming freshmen in All-American Gabrielle Dewberry (S/RS, Greenwood Village, Col., Cherry Creek HS) and Kayla Neto (OH/MB, Clarksburg, Calif., Christian Brothers HS) as well as a junior college transfer in Taylor Cook (MB, Laguna Hills, Calif., Golden West College).
"There is no question this recruiting class brings very exciting elements to Titan volleyball both offensively and defensively. We will be adding depth to the outside hitter, middle blocker and setting positions, which address our needs for next year," said Zimmerman.
Dewberry was recently named an Under Armor High School All-American second teamer by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and just completed her senior season in style, guiding the Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village, Colorado) to a perfect 31-0 season.
"Gabi is an amazing athlete and all-around player. She is a very versatile athlete who has the ability to contribute in multiple positions," said the seventh year head coach. "I am very excited to have her join the program where she will contribute and make an immediate impact."
The setter/outside hitter was name to the State Championship all-tournament team following the Bruins three-set sweep of Grandview High School at the Denver Coliseum in early November and was recently selected to Colorado's All-State Team.
Neto is a four-year letter winner at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, Calif., under Head Coach Jeff Deter, where she led the Falcons to a CIF Championship on Nov. 20. Neto posted a team-leading 280 kills, 60 blocks and 318 digs, helping lift her team to a 30-6 record overall record. She was named the Sierra Valley League's Co-Most Valuable Player Friday morning.
"Kayla will give us more height and depth to both the pin and middle blocking positions," said Zimmerman. "Her willingness to seek out challenge and her overall flexibility adds a lot to what she can potentially bring to the program. She is an outstanding leader and will be able to help us wherever we have the most need."
Neto is a three-time All-Sierra Valley League honoree and holds career school records for aces (187), kills (827) and blocks (357).
Cook will be coming to the Titans from Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif., after spending two years playing under Head Coaches Rick McGlauphlin and Alan Knipe. The sophomore blocker is currently leading the state with 195 blocks and recently set a State Tournament record by collecting 12 blocks in a match. The Laguna Hills, Calif., native was a four-year letter winner at Laguna Hills High school, earning her diploma in 2007.
"Taylor has tremendous experience and is an accomplished junior college middle blocker," said Zimmerman. "She is a tenacious athlete and competitor. Her experience and past success will help her to score both offensively and defensively at the net."
As a college freshman in 2007, Cook helped the Rustlers to a runner-up finish in the California State Championships when she was named to the California Community College Athletic Association's All-State Tournament Team.
The Titans' are coming off a 2008 recruiting effort that was recognized by prepvolleyball.com, who awarded them an honorable mention nod in the online publication's annual Top Recruiting Class poll.