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Head coach Michael Sealy has announced the addition of four freshmen who will round out the 2020 newcomer class, Skylar Canady (San Francisco), Kate Lane (Los Angeles), Audrey Pak (Moraga, Calif.) and Gabby Sonnhalter (Long Beach, Calif.).
This foursome joins two more freshmen and two transfers to a group of eight newcomers to this upcoming season's roster. Previous announcements include: Allison Jacobs and Iman Ndiaye (News Release), Zoe Fleck (News Release) and élan McCall (News Release).
The 2020 recruiting class is ranked tied for eighth, according to VolleyballMag.com, and No. 12, according to VolleyHigh.
Canady, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, prepped at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco. She averaged 4.5 kills and 2.4 digs per set as a senior, adding 34 aces and 23 blocks. Canady was named AVCA High School All-Region, West Catholic Athletic League Player of the Year and All-WCAL First Team in 2019. She played club with Vision Volleyball.
"Skylar has made big improvements since last season," Sealy said. "She has improved her physicality in the past year and it shows on the court. Skylar is much more terminal now and has a great volleyball frame with tons of potential. We are excited to watch her development in years to come."
Lane, a 6-foot setter/opposite, attended Palos Verdes High School in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. She earned All-Bay League First Team and L.A. Daily News All-Varsity Team honors with the Sea Kings. Lane played club volleyball with Surfside.
"Kate can do it all," Sealy said. "She has an elite arm and is extremely physical. Kate is someone who always had the potential to be a great setter and just needed to fine tune. She has been doing that recently and is making huge strides in that area. Kate is a student of the game and is going to be a big culture piece in our gym."
Pak, a 5-foot-11 setter, prepped at Campolindo High School in Moraga. She helped the Cougars to a CIF NorCal Championship in 2019. Pak was an All-Diablo Athletic League Most Valuable Player as a junior and was All-Diablo League as a junior and senior. She played club with Vision Volleyball.
"Audrey has improved immensely since last season, and in our one opportunity to watch her this year, she ran a fast, precise offense," Sealy said. "I think she processes the game well and will be able to think her way through matches very effectively. Audrey is going to provide stability and consistency for us."
Sonnhalter is a 6-foot, opposite hitter who will still have the Bruin as her school mascot, as she prepped at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. Sonnhalter was a two-time First Team All-Moore League selection and Team MVP. She played club with Club Mizuno Long Beach. Sonnhalter did not play as a senior in 2019 after suffering a season-ending knee injury at Junior Olympics last summer.
"Gabby is a well-rounded lefty opposite," Sealy said. "She plays the game well and is going to be an asset in our gym in a variety of ways. Gabby is rehabbing and we are excited to get her back and healthy."
Head coach Michael Sealy has announced the addition of four freshmen who will round out the 2020 newcomer class, Skylar Canady (San Francisco), Kate Lane (Los Angeles), Audrey Pak (Moraga, Calif.) and Gabby Sonnhalter (Long Beach, Calif.).
This foursome joins two more freshmen and two transfers to a group of eight newcomers to this upcoming season's roster. Previous announcements include: Allison Jacobs and Iman Ndiaye (News Release), Zoe Fleck (News Release) and élan McCall (News Release).
The 2020 recruiting class is ranked tied for eighth, according to VolleyballMag.com, and No. 12, according to VolleyHigh.
Canady, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, prepped at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco. She averaged 4.5 kills and 2.4 digs per set as a senior, adding 34 aces and 23 blocks. Canady was named AVCA High School All-Region, West Catholic Athletic League Player of the Year and All-WCAL First Team in 2019. She played club with Vision Volleyball.
"Skylar has made big improvements since last season," Sealy said. "She has improved her physicality in the past year and it shows on the court. Skylar is much more terminal now and has a great volleyball frame with tons of potential. We are excited to watch her development in years to come."
Lane, a 6-foot setter/opposite, attended Palos Verdes High School in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. She earned All-Bay League First Team and L.A. Daily News All-Varsity Team honors with the Sea Kings. Lane played club volleyball with Surfside.
"Kate can do it all," Sealy said. "She has an elite arm and is extremely physical. Kate is someone who always had the potential to be a great setter and just needed to fine tune. She has been doing that recently and is making huge strides in that area. Kate is a student of the game and is going to be a big culture piece in our gym."
Pak, a 5-foot-11 setter, prepped at Campolindo High School in Moraga. She helped the Cougars to a CIF NorCal Championship in 2019. Pak was an All-Diablo Athletic League Most Valuable Player as a junior and was All-Diablo League as a junior and senior. She played club with Vision Volleyball.
"Audrey has improved immensely since last season, and in our one opportunity to watch her this year, she ran a fast, precise offense," Sealy said. "I think she processes the game well and will be able to think her way through matches very effectively. Audrey is going to provide stability and consistency for us."
Sonnhalter is a 6-foot, opposite hitter who will still have the Bruin as her school mascot, as she prepped at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. Sonnhalter was a two-time First Team All-Moore League selection and Team MVP. She played club with Club Mizuno Long Beach. Sonnhalter did not play as a senior in 2019 after suffering a season-ending knee injury at Junior Olympics last summer.
"Gabby is a well-rounded lefty opposite," Sealy said. "She plays the game well and is going to be an asset in our gym in a variety of ways. Gabby is rehabbing and we are excited to get her back and healthy."