SEATTLE — Seattle U volleyball coach Michelle Cole announced the additions of five freshmen for the 2020 season. The incoming group marks the first class of newcomers for Cole, who enters her first season at the helm for the Redhawks after taking over the program's lead role in February.
"I inherited a solid group of talented athletes," said Cole. "This class has so much variety, in both positions and personality. However, they are united in their athletic abilities and desire to contribute to team success. They add some much needed depth and complexity to our roster. I'm excited to add them to the Redhawk Volleyball family."
A two-year letterwinner from Issaquah HS, Maya Patton helped the Eagles to a 42-10 combined record over the course of her last two seasons, including back-to-back appearances in the state playoffs. A team captain as a senior, the Seattle native, also earned all-state honors during the 2019 campaign. Playing as either a right-side or middle hitter, the six-footer finished her career at Issaquah with 191 blocks, 67 solo, and 311 kills behind a .266-clip.
A three-time varsity letterwinner, Sophia Bertotti Metoyer is also from the Evergreen State. Standing an inch over six feet, the Spokane-native had a successful high school career which a Washington 3A state title for Mt. Spokane, an all-state nod in 2019 and two all-conference selections. As a junior, the right-sider had 97 kills, 2.6 per set, behind .259 hitting during the 2018 campaign. A dual-sport threat, Bertotti Metoyer was also a three-time letterwinner in basketball helping the Wildcats to a fourth-place in the 2019-20 state tournament.
A defensive specialist/libero, Kylie Waters joins Seattle U from Phoenix, Ariz. A graduate of Millennium HS, Waters was a tw-year starter, helping the Tigers to a combined 80-10 record, 45-1 in 2018, and back-to-back appearances in the Arizona 5A State Tournament finals, including a title in 2018. Named to the MaxPreps 5A Desert West Region First Team, Waters was a solid contributor on the backline for the Tigers, registering 811 digs, 544 as a senior, to go along with 82 career aces.
A dual-sport athlete, Nicole Taylor joins the 2020 lineup from Bowie, Md., after being a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and track & field at St. John's College HS in Washington D.C. As a member of the volleyball team, Taylor helped the Cadets to a 101-31-2 record with a 33-3 mark in 2019, in addition to four-straight District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) titles and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) crown in 2019. She was also the team captain in 2018 and 2019. A two-time all-conference selection, Taylor finished her career with 801 kills 532 digs, 106 blocks, 144 aces and 66 assists. On the track, she added to her impressive athletic resume twice winning the WCAC High Jump title.
Rounding out the incoming class from Tracy, Calif., is Leila Sardinha. A four-year letterwinner at Tracy HS, Sardinha featured in both a setter and right-side role for the Bulldogs, and as a senior helped lead the team to a California D2 title. Individually, she garnered back-to-back all-conference and all-district honors in 2018 and 2019. Sardinha finished her career with 777 total kills, .206 hitting, 896 digs, 166 blocks and 200 aces.