Long Beach State University Athletics
Women's Volleyball Adds Four During Fall Signing Period
11/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Long Beach, Calif. - Head coach Brian Gimmillaro announced the signing of four student-athletes on Wednesday's National Signing Day, welcoming them into the Long Beach State women's volleyball program. The 2016 class includes local Southern California talent in Ashley Anselmo (Mira Costa HS), Morgan Dewyer (Palm Desert HS) and Hannah Pauling (Murrieta Valley HS), but also includes Yizhi Xue, who comes to the Beach all the way from China.
"What I'm most pleased about with this class, is not only are they good volleyball players, but their care about team and about academics is extraordinary," said Gimmillaro of the 2016 signees. "These are exactly the type of players I want to represent Long Beach State women's volleyball."
Anselmo hails from a strong high school program at Mira Costa High and has won nearly 60 games over the last two seasons. At 6-foot-2, she starts at opposite for the Mustangs and projects the do the same at Long Beach State. She was a first team All-Bay League selection as a junior after leading her team to the CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA quarterfinals.
"Ashley is a successful leader and a skilled team player," Gimmillaro said. "She's the type of player that we want at Long Beach because she really cares about the team."
Dewyer is the starting setter and senior captain at Palm Desert High, where she has spent all four years on varsity. She was second team All-Desert Valley League as a freshman and a first team all-league selection the last two years. So far this season, Dewyer has racked up 647 assists, 115 aces and 229 digs in 90 sets played. The left-hander also plays opposite hitter and has totaled 228 kills this year. Dewyer also played club volleyball at 951 Elite Volleyball Club in Wildomar, Calif.
"I really wanted Morgan to come here and be a setter for our future," Gimmillaro stated. "She's dedicated, skilled, athletic and competitive."
Pauling comes to Long Beach State from Murrieta Valley High School and Mavericks Volleyball Club in Corona, Calif. She is a 5-foot-10 outside hitter who also brings plenty of beach volleyball experience to LBSU.
"Hannah Pauling is a very strong, skilled outside hitter who will help the program immediately," said Gimmillaro.
Xue, who goes by "Eri", is a talented 6-foot-4 middle blocker traveling from China to Long Beach. She is expected to fit in very well at the Beach and could be a factor beginning her freshman year.
"Her style of play fits exactly into what I teach," Gimmillaro said. "She'll be young but very accomplished and she'll have an immediate impact on our program."
Anselmo, Dewyer and Pauling all bring beach volleyball experience to the Long Beach State program as well, and project to be contributors on the sand starting in the 2016-17 season.
