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| Defensive specialist Christina Porada joins GW |
From our friends at GW Athletics Communications...
Four Student-Athletes to Join Program for 2014 Season
George Washington volleyball head coach Amanda Ault has announced that four student-athletes will be joining the Colonials' roster in August for the 2014 season.
The incoming class includes outside hitter Aaliya Davidson (Belleville, Mich.), middle blocker Emily Newell (Chagrin Falls, Ohio), defensive specialist Christina Porada (Deerborne, Mich.) and setter Jessy Ober (Danville, Calif.).
"This is a very athletic class that will nicely complement the group we have returning," said Head Coach Amanda Ault. "They have formed at tight bond already and I know each of them has high expectations for what they want to accomplish during their time here at GW. The connection they have already formed will be a key component in seeing things through."
The freshman class joins a roster of nine returning letter winners as the Colonials look to return to the Atlantic 10 Championship for the second consecutive season. Seniors Kelsey Newman and Landon Garvik will lead a balanced roster that will also feature three juniors and four sophomores.
The 2014 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, fans can stay updated on GW Volleyball via the Summer Blog Series on the 22&G Blog.
Aaliya Davidson
Outside Hitter
Belleville, Mich./Cass Tech
5'11
Davidson helped Lewis Cass Technical High School to four consecutive city and district championships. She was an All-State selection as a senior and a Detroit Public School League All-City selection in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is a four-time recipient of Detroit Public School Proud Strong Learner award, which is based on academics and athletics. She recorded 20 kills and 21 digs in the 2012 regional championship game, followed by 13 kills and 14 digs in the same contest in 2013.
Emily Newell
Middle Blocker
Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston
5'9
A 5-foot-9 middle blocker, Newell served as team captain and was a three-year varsity starter at Kenston High School. She was named First-Team All-Conference after helping Kenston to conference and district championships and an appearance in the regional semifinals as a senior. Academically she was named to the Chargin Valley Conference All-Academic Team and was the recipient of the Leadership Award, as well as a Scholar Athlete. As a junior, Newell helped Kenston to the Ohio State Final Four, as well as regional, district and conference championships. In her freshmen season, she was named Second-Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-District, helping Kenston to a conference title.
Christina Porada
Libero/DS
Deerborne, Mich./Divine Child
5'5
Porada was a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Divine Child High School and was named a Top-10 Finalist for Miss Volleyball in Michigan. A decorated player named to the AVCA All-American Watch List prior to her senior season, Porada also earned PrepVolleyball.com Academic All-American honors as a senior. She was named First-Team All-State in her final two seasons while being named the No. 1 libero in Michigan all four years by MaxPreps.com. A two-time AVCA Player of the Week during her junior season, she helped Divine Child to the MHSAA Final Four as a junior. Porada also was a four-time All-Catholic selection, averaging 7.0 digs per set as a senior. She was named to the Prep Volleyball Defensive Dandies as a junior and played for Legacy Volleyball Club, MIZUNO Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy and A2 Volleyball Club.
Jessy Ober
Defensive Specialist
Alamo, Calif./Monte Vista
5'5
A two-year team captain and four-time scholar-athlete at Monte Vista High School, Ober was a First-Team All-East Bay Athletic League selection as a senior after leading the Mustangs to an 18-3 overall record. The 5-foot-5 setter led the East Bay with 1,067 assists as a senior and helped Monte Vista to three straight North Coast Sectional Championships (2011, 2012, 2013). In the classroom, she is a three-time National Academic All-American Team selection and a two-time recipient of Student of Excellence Award (2011, 2013). Ober also competed for Norcal Volleyball Club (2008-12) and Xceleration Volleyball (2009, 2013-14).
Aaliya Davidson
Outside Hitter
Belleville, Mich./Cass Tech
5'11
Davidson helped Lewis Cass Technical High School to four consecutive city and district championships. She was an All-State selection as a senior and a Detroit Public School League All-City selection in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is a four-time recipient of Detroit Public School Proud Strong Learner award, which is based on academics and athletics. She recorded 20 kills and 21 digs in the 2012 regional championship game, followed by 13 kills and 14 digs in the same contest in 2013.
Emily Newell
Middle Blocker
Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston
5'9
A 5-foot-9 middle blocker, Newell served as team captain and was a three-year varsity starter at Kenston High School. She was named First-Team All-Conference after helping Kenston to conference and district championships and an appearance in the regional semifinals as a senior. Academically she was named to the Chargin Valley Conference All-Academic Team and was the recipient of the Leadership Award, as well as a Scholar Athlete. As a junior, Newell helped Kenston to the Ohio State Final Four, as well as regional, district and conference championships. In her freshmen season, she was named Second-Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-District, helping Kenston to a conference title.
Christina Porada
Libero/DS
Deerborne, Mich./Divine Child
5'5
Porada was a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Divine Child High School and was named a Top-10 Finalist for Miss Volleyball in Michigan. A decorated player named to the AVCA All-American Watch List prior to her senior season, Porada also earned PrepVolleyball.com Academic All-American honors as a senior. She was named First-Team All-State in her final two seasons while being named the No. 1 libero in Michigan all four years by MaxPreps.com. A two-time AVCA Player of the Week during her junior season, she helped Divine Child to the MHSAA Final Four as a junior. Porada also was a four-time All-Catholic selection, averaging 7.0 digs per set as a senior. She was named to the Prep Volleyball Defensive Dandies as a junior and played for Legacy Volleyball Club, MIZUNO Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy and A2 Volleyball Club.
Jessy Ober
Defensive Specialist
Alamo, Calif./Monte Vista
5'5
A two-year team captain and four-time scholar-athlete at Monte Vista High School, Ober was a First-Team All-East Bay Athletic League selection as a senior after leading the Mustangs to an 18-3 overall record. The 5-foot-5 setter led the East Bay with 1,067 assists as a senior and helped Monte Vista to three straight North Coast Sectional Championships (2011, 2012, 2013). In the classroom, she is a three-time National Academic All-American Team selection and a two-time recipient of Student of Excellence Award (2011, 2013). Ober also competed for Norcal Volleyball Club (2008-12) and Xceleration Volleyball (2009, 2013-14).
