Falcons Sign Strong 2018 Recruiting Class
It is a great day to be a Falcon, as Daytona State looks towards their 2018 season and the roster that they will boast which adds 7 incoming freshmen, including the 6 they currently have signed and committed. The 2018 recruiting class consists of strong athletes, with a lot of high level volleyball experience. The roster includes two players from Brazil, a freshman from Puerto Rico, and a handful of the top players in Florida.
Isabela Sarti and Bruna Avilla will join the Lady Falcons from Brazil. Avilla is an exceptional setter from Brazil. Avilla was named Best Setter of Copa Sul Mineria and the state in 2014 and was named MVP of Copa Minas in 2015. Most recently she was named Best Setter of Copa Mackenzie in 2017. She has had the good fortune of leading many successful teams. In 2015, her club won both state and district championships. She won the Copa Minas in 2015 and in 2016, and in 2017 her team on the Copa Mackenzie. Her high school team has also been quite successful as well, winning district championships in 2015 and state titles three years in a row; 2015-2017. Additionally, she has had the privilege of training with Brazil's Junior National Team.
Fellow Brazilian standout, Sarti is a 6'2" lefty outside and right side attacker. Sarti has played with ADC Bredesco Club in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sarti knows what it takes to win and has quite the history doing just that, winning. She was a champion in 2012-2013 winning the championship at Federacao Paulista. She was Co-Champion in 2015 with Sesi Club winning the Copa Cidade Maravilhosa, Rio de Janeiro FVR. Sarti also had top finishes in the Open State Games and the JEESP-Sao Paulo.
Gabrielle Soto is the most recent commit to sign on to be a Lady Falcon. This 5'9" outside hitter has a strong vertical, powerful swing and exceptional ball control to round out her skillsets. She plays for Vallejos Volleyball Club in Puerto Rico. She has been selected to a number of All-Star teams during her career which include the All Star team at the Jeep Challenge, Colegio Adianez, and Power League West Coast. Soto has the ability to play a major role in the Falcon line up both offensively and defensively.
Nicole Rodriguez is looking to fill the big shoes vacated by sophomore libero standout, Yorelis Rios, who will graduate in 2018. Rodriguez will graduate from Osceola High School this spring. She has played varsity at Osceola since moving to the states her junior season from Puerto Rico. This past season Rodriguez was selected as Player of the Match on five occasions. She finished the season with 543 digs and added 40 aces on the season. Rodriguez was named Osceola High School's MVP at the close of the season. She also added 1st Team Orange Belt All-Conference to her accolades on the season. In addition to being an exceptional volleyball player, Rodriguez is a great student maintaining her Honor Roll status during her time at Osceola. She will compete this season for Tainas Volleyball Club.
Lorren Farrow is another elite signee to the 2018 Lady Falcon roster. Farrow has had the opportunity to play for the exceptional high school program at Merritt Island High School under the tutelage of Angie Patrick. Farrow isn't the first Mustang to don a Falcon Volleyball jersey. Halle Dotson joined the Falcons for a prolific career at Daytona State in 2013 and 2014. Coach Stegall is hoping that Farrow has a similar impact on Lady Falcon Volleyball. If Farrow's high school career is any indication of her college success, Daytona State will benefit quite nicely from this exceptional person and athlete. Farrow is a four-time varsity starter for the Mustangs of Merritt Island. She was named MVP of the Brevard Senior Showcase North Team. She has been a captain for her club and high school teams, having played for Top Select Volleyball Club in 2017 and Cape Coast Volleyball Club in 2018. In 2017, Farrow and her Top Select teammates qualified for Junior Nationals. In addition to her excellence on the volleyball court, Farrow is an exceptional student and serves as a member of the National Honor Society.
Alexis Thompson is a two sport standout who launched her athletic career as an elite tennis player. Thompson soon began playing volleyball and made the transition quickly from tennis to volleyball. She is a 6' middle attacker that is a combination of athleticism and power. She is a naturally gifted athlete who attained many of her athletic attributes from her father who played professional basketball overseas. Her life has revolved around athletics and this commitment to excellence has led her to accomplish numerous honors on and off the court. She was selected to the 2017 Pasco Hernando All Star Game. She was also selected to the FACA All-Star Team this past fall. Thompson was named Athlete of the Month and was also selected Most Athletic by Frank W. Springstead High School. At Springstead she was also named the 2016 MVP. Thompson recorded 229 kills hitting an impressive .420 this past season adding 76 blocks on the season. She will be competing this club season for OTVA Elite and is hopeful to have an opportunity to earn yet another berth to a National Qualifier.
Madison Tapp is a local talent that will be joining the Lady Falcons in 2018. Tapp will graduate from Deland High School this spring where she played roles as both a defensive specialist and libero. Tapp is also a member of the DME Volleyball Club where she plays on the 18 National Team. During her tenure at Deland, Tapp has been named a Scholar Athlete all four years.
Coach Stegall is looking forward to the 2018 season where she will merge returning talent with this unique, strong recruiting class.