Despite Penn volleyball not playing since November 2019 and gymnastics not competing since March 2020, both teams recently announced their recruiting haul for the Class of 2025.
Volleyball has added four players to join the team come fall of 2021 — Kat Alexander, Paige Gillon, Ella Green, and Sydney Ormiston.
Penn volleyball coach Meredith Schamun detailed what each of the individual women brings to the program.
"We are thrilled for this group to join us in the fall," said Schamun — who was hired in March — in a statement. "These four young women bring a wealth of playing experience from top clubs around the country, as well as a passion for all that Penn has to offer. Kat will make us better on both sides of the game with her passing stability and defensive strengths. Paige's offensive versatility, as well as her length as a blocker, will elevate our front-row play.
“Sydney has experience running a strong offense that is both fast and efficient. Ella completes the group as a well-rounded outside with strong passing mechanics and variety in her swings. I am excited for them to help this program compete and move up the ranks within the Ivy League."
The Quakers did not get to compete in 2020, but they finished their 2019 season with an 11-10 record, closing with a two-game win streak over Harvard and Dartmouth before the last two games of their season were canceled.
Penn gymnastics is adding six players to its team — Emma Davies, Isabella and Marigold Garrett, Zara Gazdak, Isabel Song, and Olivia VanHorn.
Coach Kirsten Becker is enthused by the quality of the incoming group.
"We are excited to officially welcome this talented group of student-athletes to Penn Gymnastics," said Becker, who was hired as the Quakers' head coach in May after five years as the program's assistant coach. "While they each have personal strengths across the four events, as a group they will bring a variety of difficult skills to our team on vault and floor.
“Throughout the recruiting process, these six young women have displayed how hard-working and determined they are, both on the gymnastics floor and in the classroom. I am eager to see their impact on the program throughout the years to come!"
Unlike volleyball, Penn gymnastics was able to compete during 2020, finishing in first place in four of its meets. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red and Blue were unable to compete at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship, which was slated to be on March 21.
When the new recruits will be able to start their Penn athletic career is still up in the air, but for now, the Quakers appear to have had a successful recruiting haul for the Class of 2025 in both volleyball and gymnastics.
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