Nov. 22, 2010
Fullerton, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton volleyball has signed Julie Consani (S, Newport Beach, Calif., Calvary Chapel HS) and Amanda Yamate (L/DS, Torrance, Calif., South Torrance HS) to National Letters of Intent during the Div. I early signing period Nov. 14-21, as announced by ninth-year Head Coach Carolyn Zimmerman Monday.
"It will be an honor to have the opportunity to coach both Julie and Amanda and be able to watch them develop throughout their college years. They will be great additions to the program and will have outstanding careers at Cal State Fullerton," said Zimmerman.
The two student-athletes are completing their senior years at their respective high schools and will join the Titan program in the Fall of 2011.
Consani will be a four-year varsity setter for Calvary Chapel (Santa Ana, Calif.) under the guidance of Head Coach Stella Guild.
"Julie is a very hard-working player and has been very successful at every level. She sets a great offense and has the type of attitude that makes those around her work harder and become better. She is also very detail oriented and pays attention to the little things both on the court and in the classroom," Zimmerman said.
By adding Julie we gain tremendous depth in the setting position and get taller than we've have been in years past.Given her experience and mindset I would expect her to challenge the setting position immediately."
Consani has led the Eagles to two CIF appearances in her first three seasons and was an All-Orange Coast League honoree in both her sophomore and junior years. In 2009, she was also an all-Orange County honorable mention and was named her team's offensive player of the year.
In the offseason, she competes with TCA Volleyball Club (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and USA Volleyball. In 2009 she was the setter and captain for the USA Volleyball High Performance Team and was also the "A2" National Team setter and captain.
Consani is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and has earned recognition on the Principal's Honor Roll every semester of her high school career.
Yamate will be playing her third year at the varsity level in 2011 for Head Coach Robert Kutch at South Torrance High School (Torrance, Calif.).
"Amanda is a dynamic athlete and tenacious volleyball player," said Zimmerman.
She has an extremely outgoing personality that will no doubt be infectious throughout the Titan volleyball program. She works hard to be technically disciplined and we hope that all her hard work will pay off so that she can have the opportunity to take over the responsibility of anchoring our ball control next season."
As a junior, the libero was a first-team All-Pioneer League selection after posting 228 digs and 21 service aces over 37 matches with the Spartans. She is a three-time honor roll member and plays club volleyball with Long Beach Mizuno (Long Beach, Calif.).
"Amanda follows other Long Beach Mizuno players in our program who have also been a big part of our team making history. I have no doubt Amanda plans on continuing that tradition."
The two signing come as the Cal State Fullerton volleyball program prepares for its first ever postseason appearance after winning their first Big West Conference Championship last weekend. The Titans have earned the automatic berth to the first round of the NCAA tournament and will find out their opponent on Nov. 28 on ESPN News.