COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: UMO coach signs large class of talent

By UMO Media Relations
Published in Sports on June 7, 2018 5:51 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE --University of Mount Olive women's volleyball coach Joelle Mafo signed nine new players during the offseason.

Joining the returning class are Sydney Kuhbander, Makayla Huber, Dejare Cumberbatch, Jimnelly Del Valle, Michaela Sewell, Ania Keene, Nicholle Yeo, Courtney Garris and Andrea Rivera.

Mafo picked up Gentry Benda and Jordan Woodward during the spring early signing period.

The younger sister of men's volleyball student-athlete Shane Yeo, Nicholle ran the offense at Plainfield North (Ill.) High School. She received the 'Tiger Award,' presented to the most valuable/spiritual player, during her junior and senior campaigns.

A National Honor Society member and scholar-athlete recipient, Garris handled the setting duties at South Johnston HS. She played on the JOCO 1 Volleyball club team and an Eastern Elite travel team based out of Wayne County.

A middle blocker from Louisville, the 6-foot-1 Kuhbander played at Ballard High School. She played in 211 sets, tallied 387 kills, logged 65 solo blocks and 149 total blocks and served 52 aces.

Keene is a transfer from Cameron (Okla.) University. The San Antonio native played outside hitter where she posted career highs in kills (18) and attacks (47) against Dallas Baptist last fall.

Stewart hails from Fuquay-Varina. The outside hitter/defensive specialist played on the NC Elite 16 Cardinal club team. She earned all-conference honors and served as the team captain during her junior and senior seasons.

Huber is a 6-foot-1 right-side hitter who starred at Jamestown Ragsdale HS. She netted 44 kills, 45 digs and 46 aces last season. Huber's accolades include hitter-of-the-year, all-conference and scholar-athlete during her senior year.

Cumberbatch played at North Raleigh Christian Academy and with the Triangle Volleyball Club. A native of Raleigh, the 5-9 right side/middle blocker helped guide NRCA to back-to-back 3-A titles on the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association scene. She is a National Honor Society member.

Del Valle can play right side, setter and libero. She played on the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Raptors club team.

Reyes, born in Puerto Rico, gives the Trojans some strength on the defensive side of the ball at libero. She played at Monarch (Fla.) High School and for the Tribe Elite Volleyball club in Ft. Lauderdale.

A transfer from University of Bridgeport, Benda attended Wakefield High School. She received the 'Lamp of Knowledge' award and was a honor roll student during her junior and senior years. She collected a number of team awards during her career.

Woodward is a middle blocker/right side combo, who attended Green Hope HS. She helped lead her high school team to back-to-back appearances in the state finals.

"I am excited about this recruiting class because each one of these student-athletes represents the true definition of student and athlete," said Mafo, who was hired to take over the program on May 1, 2017.

"They will bring a lot of experience, skill, intensity, and competition to our gym and that is what we need most in order to be competitive. I look forward to training and teaching these new girls, and seeing how well they embrace their roles as future Trojans, and future members of our volleyball family."

UMO fashioned a 10-19 record, including a 5-9 mark against Conference Carolinas opposition last season.