Feb. 2, 2010
Fullerton, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton Head Coach Carolyn Zimmerman announced the signing of high school seniors Ayana Whitaker and Abigail Miraldi, two players who are set to join the Titan volleyball program in the fall. Both girls signed letters of intent during the early signing period in November.
"Both Ayana and Abbie will be wonderful additions to our program. They are good people from great families and come to us with many successful experiences," said Zimmerman.
The two will fill two of the three vacant roster spots left available by departing seniors Alex Wolnisty (MB), Ashley Collier (DS) and Deven Bukoski (OH).
Whitaker will be graduating from Vista Murrieta High School (Murrieta, Calif.) in June after three seasons at the varsity level for Head Coach Kristen Robarts and the Broncos.
"Ayana is a multi-sport athlete who brings more size and quickness to our program. She is a leader for her HS and club teams both offensively and defensively at the net. With a season of club experience still to develop, she will be prepared to make an immediate impact in her first season for the Titans," said the ninth-year head coach.
The 6-foot-3 middle blocker/right-side hitter was on the AVCA's High School All-American Watch List and eventually earned All-Southwestern League Second Team honors for volleyball. She was also a three-year letterwinner in track and field where she was an all-league first teamer.
Miraldi, Nevada Union High School's (Grass Valley, Calif.) team captain the past two seasons, helped lead the 2009 Miners to a 35-11 overall record and a 4-2 finish in the CIF playoffs.
"Abbie comes to us from an athletic family and will be very qualified for the challenges she will face at the Div. I level. She is a team player, possesses a competitive spirit and shows great leadership qualities. She will make an impact in our program in the years to come," Zimmerman said.
The outside hitter posted a league-leading 329 kills, 264 digs and 45 aces in 94 games played for head coach Bob Rogers. She was also an All-Sierra Foothill League first teamer.
Miraldi's mother, April, played volleyball at Pepperdine and UCLA while her sister, Kylie, is a junior blocker at San Jose State. Her father, Dean, spent 5 seasons in the NFL in the mid `80s with Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles Raiders and her brother, Matt, is a senior outfielder for Cal State LA's baseball team.
Neither Whitaker or Miraldi will be available to join the Titans for their spring tournament schedule, but they will enroll at Fullerton in the Fall.