University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Volleyball Inks Three to National Letter of Intent for 2023-24
11/10/2022 10:52:00 AM | Volleyball
AVCA HS All-America Watchlist candidate, top local talent and NJCAA All-American added
LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball head coach Kristi Gray announced on Thursday (Nov. 10, 2022) the signing of three student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent, as the national signing period for the 2023-24 academic year is now underway.
Inking with the Ragin' Cajuns at the onset of the signing period are setter Maddi Fritz (La Grange, Texas/La Grange HS), outside hitter Abby Cunningham (Carencro, La./Westminster Christian Academy) and libero Mio Yamamoto (Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan/New Mexico Military Institute).
Fritz's four-year run at La Grange (Texas) High School as a setter and outside hitter saw her accumulate 1,000-plus kills and assists, 176 aces, 42 blocks and 841 digs.
She claimed district MVP and first team all-district honors the past two seasons (2021-22) and was among those high school athletes selected for the 2022 AVCA All-America Watchlist. In 2021, Fritz was a Prep Volleyball All-American special mention recipient.
Fritz most recently played club volleyball for Houston Juniors, beginning with 15 Elite and continuing the past two years with 18 Elite.
"Madi (Fritz) is a proven leader who plays for one of the top clubs in Houston," Gray said. "Her fiery court presence sealed the deal. We cannot wait to see the impact she will have throughout her career here."
Cunningham is a first team all-state, all-metro, all-parish, and all-district performer for nearby Westminster Christian Academy in Opelousas. She turned in a recent double-double of 20 kills and 14 digs in WCA's sweep of Ascension Episcopal the final week of October.
"She (Abby) is a diamond in the rough and one of the most talented local players our staff has seen since we've been here," Gray said. "She is extremely competitive and brings a type of physicality we could use more of in our gym. We are excited to bring another Lafayette native to Cajun Nation!"
Yamamoto, a native of Japan, has spent the past two seasons competing at libero for New Mexico Military Institute. She received first team NJCAA Division I All-American honors in 2021 after hauling in 796 digs – second-most in the country.
This season she has helped lead the Broncos to an appearance at NJCAA Division I National Volleyball Championship tournament which begins November 17 in West Plains, Missouri. Along the way, Yamamoto has built on her impressive resume by adding seven regional Player of the Week honors and two national recognitions and enters the national tournament having collected 792 digs (6.6 per set).
"This was my second time recruiting her, I first saw her three years ago in Hawaii," Gray said. "I always say everything happens for a reason and to see this come full circle is very exciting.
"Mio is always one step ahead of the game and is so smooth, it looks effortless," Gray added. "We look forward to seeing how she will elevate our gym."
The Ragin' Cajuns (14-9, 8-6 Sun Belt) have clinched a winning record for the second straight season under Gray's leadership and are concluding their regular season this weekend at App State before traveling to Foley, Alabama to compete for the Sun Belt Conference championship beginning on Thursday, November 17.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsVB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsVB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsVB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Volleyball.
Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Inking with the Ragin' Cajuns at the onset of the signing period are setter Maddi Fritz (La Grange, Texas/La Grange HS), outside hitter Abby Cunningham (Carencro, La./Westminster Christian Academy) and libero Mio Yamamoto (Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan/New Mexico Military Institute).
Fritz's four-year run at La Grange (Texas) High School as a setter and outside hitter saw her accumulate 1,000-plus kills and assists, 176 aces, 42 blocks and 841 digs.
She claimed district MVP and first team all-district honors the past two seasons (2021-22) and was among those high school athletes selected for the 2022 AVCA All-America Watchlist. In 2021, Fritz was a Prep Volleyball All-American special mention recipient.
Fritz most recently played club volleyball for Houston Juniors, beginning with 15 Elite and continuing the past two years with 18 Elite.
"Madi (Fritz) is a proven leader who plays for one of the top clubs in Houston," Gray said. "Her fiery court presence sealed the deal. We cannot wait to see the impact she will have throughout her career here."
Ragin' Cajuns Ready ??
— Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns® Volleyball (@RaginCajunsVB) November 10, 2022
???? ?????????? ?????????? has signed with Louisiana!
?? Setter
?? La Grange, TX
?? La Grange HS#GeauxCajuns ?? | #NSD23 pic.twitter.com/FfnWtwNnl3
Cunningham is a first team all-state, all-metro, all-parish, and all-district performer for nearby Westminster Christian Academy in Opelousas. She turned in a recent double-double of 20 kills and 14 digs in WCA's sweep of Ascension Episcopal the final week of October.
"She (Abby) is a diamond in the rough and one of the most talented local players our staff has seen since we've been here," Gray said. "She is extremely competitive and brings a type of physicality we could use more of in our gym. We are excited to bring another Lafayette native to Cajun Nation!"
Ragin' Cajuns Ready ??
— Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns® Volleyball (@RaginCajunsVB) November 10, 2022
???? ???????? ???????????????????? has signed with Louisiana!
?? Outside Hitter
?? Carencro, LA
?? Westminster Christian Academy#GeauxCajuns ?? | #NSD23 pic.twitter.com/9B9x4DCBQb
Yamamoto, a native of Japan, has spent the past two seasons competing at libero for New Mexico Military Institute. She received first team NJCAA Division I All-American honors in 2021 after hauling in 796 digs – second-most in the country.
This season she has helped lead the Broncos to an appearance at NJCAA Division I National Volleyball Championship tournament which begins November 17 in West Plains, Missouri. Along the way, Yamamoto has built on her impressive resume by adding seven regional Player of the Week honors and two national recognitions and enters the national tournament having collected 792 digs (6.6 per set).
"This was my second time recruiting her, I first saw her three years ago in Hawaii," Gray said. "I always say everything happens for a reason and to see this come full circle is very exciting.
"Mio is always one step ahead of the game and is so smooth, it looks effortless," Gray added. "We look forward to seeing how she will elevate our gym."
Ragin' Cajuns Ready ??
— Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns® Volleyball (@RaginCajunsVB) November 10, 2022
???? ?????? ???????????????? has signed with Louisiana!
?? Libero
?? Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
?? New Mexico Military Institute#GeauxCajuns ?? | #NSD23 pic.twitter.com/6ENGdR2bj3
The Ragin' Cajuns (14-9, 8-6 Sun Belt) have clinched a winning record for the second straight season under Gray's leadership and are concluding their regular season this weekend at App State before traveling to Foley, Alabama to compete for the Sun Belt Conference championship beginning on Thursday, November 17.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsVB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsVB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsVB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Volleyball.
Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
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