NCCU Volleyball Lands Five More Recruits for 2018-19
By KEVIN BUCZEK
DURHAM, N.C. — Head coach Jody Brown has announced the addition of five student-athletes for the upcoming fall 2018 season to complete a recruiting class of six for the North Carolina Central University volleyball team.
The newcomers include a trio of freshmen in Morgan Goodwin, Estfania Louis and Isis Mitchell, and a pair of transfers in Julisa Carrizosa and Jessica Pilivi. They join freshman Celene Morris from the Early Signing Period in November.
“We are very excited about our 2018 recruiting class and looking forward to the upcoming season,” said Brown. “The class brings a strong commitment to ball control and positional depth that we need to compete both in practice and in match play.
“We’re returning 10 players this season and we’re adding these six signees plus three very talented preferred walk-ons. Doubling in roster size is going to make all of our drills and training far more competitive this season, which is exactly what we need for everyone to be pushed.
“The three freshmen in Morgan, Estfania, and Isis come from such strong club backgrounds that it’s going to ease the growing pains of such a large class. Julisa and Jessica come in with more veteran experience. They’ve already been a part of good collegiate volleyball. August 7 can’t get here soon enough so that we can get these talented players training in our arena.”
2018 NCCU Volleyball Recruits (Alphabetical):
Julisa Carrizosa is a 5-9 outside hitter from Phoenix, Arizona. She is a junior transfer from Phoenix College, where she led the Bears with 4.31 kills and 3.94 digs per set last season. She is a two-time NJCAA Division II First Team All-Region and All-ACCAC Second Team honoree. The daughter of Jose and Jaqueline Carrizosa played prep volleyball at Ed Options High School, where she was a state champion and Arizona Central’s Small School Volleyball Player of the Year. She also played club ball for several teams.
“Julisa comes to us from a strong junior college program and has a lot of experience as a 6-rotation pin hitter,” said Brown. “We’re excited to see what difference she can make in the MEAC.”
Morgan Goodwin is a 6-0 middle hitter from Solon, Ohio. Goodwin is a first team all-conference and all-district player at Solon High School. The daughter of Maurice and Alisa Goodwin served as a team captain and was her team MVP. Goodwin also has six years of national experience with Academy Volleyball Club (AVC).
“Morgan’s athleticism and ability to read offensive systems will bring a strong blocking presence to the middle position,” said Brown.
Estfania Louis is a 6-1 right-side hitter from Immokalee, Florida. Louis played three years of volleyball and basketball at Immokalee High School, earning team MVP honors each season. The daughter of Clairicienne St. Louis and Louiders Louis has four years of club team experience as well.
“Estfania brings a very high level of athleticism being a 6-1 lefty,” said Brown. “Both offensively and defensively she will be very effective on the right side for us this season.”
Isis Mitchell is 6-0 setter from Tempe, Arizona. Mitchell was part of a state championship team (2016) and a state runner-up team (2017) at Corona Del Sol High School. The daughter of Donya (football) and Deonne (volleyball) Mitchell, who both excelled in sports at Morgan State University in the 1990s, has 12 years of club experience starting with KCVA at age five. Mitchell led her club teams to the Junior National Championships from 2013-16 and qualified for the USA Junior Beach Volleyball Championship in 2012, while being part of the 2013 Future Select National Training Program and 2014-16 Arizona High Performance Championship National Team.
“Isis joins the program as an elite setter,” said Brown. “She has a very good volleyball IQ and also strong blocking and attacking.”
Jessica Pilivi is a 5-10 outside hitter from West Jordan, Utah. She is a junior transfer from Casper College, where she averaged over 1.6 kills and 2.5 digs per set during her two seasons with the Thunderbirds. The daughter of Unuaki and Nicole Pilivi played prep volleyball at West Jordan High School. Pilivi was a team captain that earned all-region and all-state honors.
“Jessica is a very well-rounded 6-rotation pin hitter,” said Brown. “She has a high volleyball IQ and will bring great energy and competition to our program this fall.”