Long Beach State University Athletics
LBSU Women’s Volleyball Welcomes Six Newcomers for 2019 Season
2/25/2019 9:16:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The recruiting class is comprised of four incoming freshmen and two junior transfers
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State women's volleyball head coach Joy McKienzie-Fuerbringer has announced the 2019 recruiting class that includes four incoming freshmen and two junior transfers who have signed National Letters of Intent to play at the Beach. The recruiting class consists of freshmen Tia Chavira, Ioanna Georgatzi, Nicole Hoff, and Katie Kennedy, as well as junior transfers Miranda Canez and Avery Nelson.
"We are excited about our 2019 class," McKienzie-Fuerbringer said. "They are a talented group that will bring athleticism and high volleyball IQ to our team. They have played at the highest levels in their age group and are passionate and dedicated to helping build our program."
Miranda Canez
Jr. | MB | 6-2 | Albuquerque, N.M. | Hope Christian HS | Southern Utah University
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker was a two-time district champion at Hope Christian High School winning in 2014 and 2015. In her junior season, Canez led her team the state championship where the Huskies finished as runner-up. Canez picked up numerous honors as she was named First Team All-State, First Team All-Metro, First Team All-District, Co-District Player of the Year, and was selected to the All-Star game. Canez went on to excel at Southern Utah and was ranked in the top 10 in the Big Sky Conference in both blocking defense and hitting percentage.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Canez:
"Miranda came to us in the spring and brings size and power to our offense. She already has brought great energy into our gym and will be an asset right away."
Tia Chavira
Fr. | S / OH | 5-10 | San Bernardino, Calif. | Aquinas HS
A four-time All-League selection, three-time MVP, and two-time All-CIF First Team, Chavira comes to Long Beach State as both a setter and outside hitter. Chavira was a four-year letterwinner at Aquinas High School and was garnered Best Offensive Player after tallying 1,226 kills, 221 assists, and hitting .317 in her prep career. Chavira played for Ranch Valley VC where she earned a gold medal in the U16 American Junior Nationals.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Chavira:
"She is a great competitor that can set and attack. Chavira is hard to keep off the floor and becomes a huge asset by being able to play many positions."
Ioanna Georgatzi
Fr. | OH | 6-2 | Nea Makri, Attica, Greece
Georgatzi comes to the Beach as an outside hitter from Nea Makri, Attica, Greece. She has experience playing with the Women's Pro League, and has made four appearances with the U19 and U17 squads. Additionally, Georgatzi is a member of the Youth National Team in Greece.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Georgatzi:
"Ioanna will bring experience as she has played in the A1 league in Greece and is top level of her age group. She is a member of the Youth National Team in Greece bringing a strong attack and size on the outside."
Nicole Hoff
Fr. | L | 5-9 | Litchfield Park, Ariz. | Millennium HS
A 5-foot-9 libero, Hoff comes to the Beach from Litchfield Park, Ariz., where she played both indoor and beach volleyball. Hoff is a three-time All-Region First Team selection and two-time All-Region Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior, Hoff was named Conference Player of the Year, after being named to the All-Conference First Team. Additionally, she garnered MaxPreps All-American Second Team honors and was named a Prep Volleyball All-American. In her four years at Millennium High School she led her team to a 149-27 record and four regional championships. She also played club volleyball for Arizona Storm for eight years.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Hoff:
"Hoff is considered one of the top liberos in the country having led her club and high school teams to numerous championships. She will make an immediate impact on the team."
Katie Kennedy
Fr. | OH / OPP | 6-1 | Hood River, Ore. | Hood River Valley HS
Kennedy is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter and opposite who comes from Hood River Valley High School. She is a two-time 5A CRC District Champion in both 2016 and 2017. Kennedy earned the 2017 Columbia River Conference Player of The Year and was selected to the All-Conference First Team. In her senior year, Kennedy was named to the OSAA 5A All-Tournament Team and went on to be named OSAA 5A First Team All-State. She concluded her prep career with a First Team All-Conference nod, while being named Hood River Valley High School Most Valuable Player as well as Intermountain Conference Player of the Year. Kennedy also played for the Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy and the Portland Volleyball Club where she ranked second in CEVA Region and was selected for USA Volleyball HP A2 in 2017.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Kennedy:
"Katie is a dynamic athlete who can play on the outside or opposite for us. Kennedy is quick on the attack and we look forward to working her into our system."
Avery Nelson
Jr. | OH | 6-1 | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Pine Creek HS | Laramie County Community College
Nelson brings several years of experience to the Beach highlighted by a Regional Championship in 2017. She comes to LBSU from Laramie County Community College, where she led her team to a pair Region 9 Conference Championship, and placed ninth and 10th at the NJCAA National tournament in back-to-back years. During her time at Laramie Community College, Nelson was a two-time Region 9 Player of the Year. In her freshman season, she earned NCJAA All-American Honorable Mention status after taking home the Conference Freshman of the Year award. She went on to garner NJCAA All-American First Team accolades and was named Conference Player of the Year. Nelson wrapped up her career at Laramie County CC was a selection to the All-Regional Team and was named to the NJCAA National tournament All-Tournament team.
Fuerbringer on Avery Nelson:
"Avery brings championship experience to our team. She is dynamic and fits well into our offensive system."
"We are excited about our 2019 class," McKienzie-Fuerbringer said. "They are a talented group that will bring athleticism and high volleyball IQ to our team. They have played at the highest levels in their age group and are passionate and dedicated to helping build our program."
Miranda Canez
Jr. | MB | 6-2 | Albuquerque, N.M. | Hope Christian HS | Southern Utah University
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker was a two-time district champion at Hope Christian High School winning in 2014 and 2015. In her junior season, Canez led her team the state championship where the Huskies finished as runner-up. Canez picked up numerous honors as she was named First Team All-State, First Team All-Metro, First Team All-District, Co-District Player of the Year, and was selected to the All-Star game. Canez went on to excel at Southern Utah and was ranked in the top 10 in the Big Sky Conference in both blocking defense and hitting percentage.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Canez:
"Miranda came to us in the spring and brings size and power to our offense. She already has brought great energy into our gym and will be an asset right away."
Tia Chavira
Fr. | S / OH | 5-10 | San Bernardino, Calif. | Aquinas HS
A four-time All-League selection, three-time MVP, and two-time All-CIF First Team, Chavira comes to Long Beach State as both a setter and outside hitter. Chavira was a four-year letterwinner at Aquinas High School and was garnered Best Offensive Player after tallying 1,226 kills, 221 assists, and hitting .317 in her prep career. Chavira played for Ranch Valley VC where she earned a gold medal in the U16 American Junior Nationals.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Chavira:
"She is a great competitor that can set and attack. Chavira is hard to keep off the floor and becomes a huge asset by being able to play many positions."
Ioanna Georgatzi
Fr. | OH | 6-2 | Nea Makri, Attica, Greece
Georgatzi comes to the Beach as an outside hitter from Nea Makri, Attica, Greece. She has experience playing with the Women's Pro League, and has made four appearances with the U19 and U17 squads. Additionally, Georgatzi is a member of the Youth National Team in Greece.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Georgatzi:
"Ioanna will bring experience as she has played in the A1 league in Greece and is top level of her age group. She is a member of the Youth National Team in Greece bringing a strong attack and size on the outside."
Nicole Hoff
Fr. | L | 5-9 | Litchfield Park, Ariz. | Millennium HS
A 5-foot-9 libero, Hoff comes to the Beach from Litchfield Park, Ariz., where she played both indoor and beach volleyball. Hoff is a three-time All-Region First Team selection and two-time All-Region Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior, Hoff was named Conference Player of the Year, after being named to the All-Conference First Team. Additionally, she garnered MaxPreps All-American Second Team honors and was named a Prep Volleyball All-American. In her four years at Millennium High School she led her team to a 149-27 record and four regional championships. She also played club volleyball for Arizona Storm for eight years.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Hoff:
"Hoff is considered one of the top liberos in the country having led her club and high school teams to numerous championships. She will make an immediate impact on the team."
Katie Kennedy
Fr. | OH / OPP | 6-1 | Hood River, Ore. | Hood River Valley HS
Kennedy is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter and opposite who comes from Hood River Valley High School. She is a two-time 5A CRC District Champion in both 2016 and 2017. Kennedy earned the 2017 Columbia River Conference Player of The Year and was selected to the All-Conference First Team. In her senior year, Kennedy was named to the OSAA 5A All-Tournament Team and went on to be named OSAA 5A First Team All-State. She concluded her prep career with a First Team All-Conference nod, while being named Hood River Valley High School Most Valuable Player as well as Intermountain Conference Player of the Year. Kennedy also played for the Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy and the Portland Volleyball Club where she ranked second in CEVA Region and was selected for USA Volleyball HP A2 in 2017.
McKienzie-Fuerbringer on Kennedy:
"Katie is a dynamic athlete who can play on the outside or opposite for us. Kennedy is quick on the attack and we look forward to working her into our system."
Avery Nelson
Jr. | OH | 6-1 | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Pine Creek HS | Laramie County Community College
Nelson brings several years of experience to the Beach highlighted by a Regional Championship in 2017. She comes to LBSU from Laramie County Community College, where she led her team to a pair Region 9 Conference Championship, and placed ninth and 10th at the NJCAA National tournament in back-to-back years. During her time at Laramie Community College, Nelson was a two-time Region 9 Player of the Year. In her freshman season, she earned NCJAA All-American Honorable Mention status after taking home the Conference Freshman of the Year award. She went on to garner NJCAA All-American First Team accolades and was named Conference Player of the Year. Nelson wrapped up her career at Laramie County CC was a selection to the All-Regional Team and was named to the NJCAA National tournament All-Tournament team.
Fuerbringer on Avery Nelson:
"Avery brings championship experience to our team. She is dynamic and fits well into our offensive system."
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