Bronx, N.Y. – Head coach
Ian Choi and the Fordham volleyball program have today announced two additions to the 2018 team – middle blockers
Claire O'Neil and
Bella Ureña. The duo joins
Joey Landeros and
Makaela Tanaka for the upcoming campaign.
O'Neil is a 6'2 middle blocker who hails from Carmichael, Calif. where she was a four-year letterwinner at Rio Americano High School for head coach John Grix. A two-year captain as an upperclassman, O'Neil was an All-League and All-Region All-Star this past year. She also earned a Coach's award as a sophomore and a Leadership award as a senior. At the club level, O'Neil competed with Northern California Volleyball Club (NCVC), where she helped qualify for the Girls Junior National Championship each of the past four years. Off the court, O'Neil earned an Academic Excellence award in AP Languard & Composition and plans to attend the Gabelli School to major in business marketing.
Claire O'Neil Signs Her NLI
Choi on O'Neil: "Claire will bring some much-needed depth to the program at middle. She'll transition into our offensive and defensive systems seamlessly with her physicality and volleyball IQ."
Bella Ureña (5) in Action
Ureña is a 6' versatile middle blocker who hails from Glendale, Calif. where she earned three varsity letters at Notre Dame High School under head coach Ben Diaz. A two-year team captain as an upperclassman on a nationally ranked program, Ureña helped lead the Knights to an undefeated league record this past season. For her efforts, she earned the Knight Award as well as Sunshine League First Team honors, a jump up from her Second Team accolades the year prior. Ureña has played for San Gabriel Elite at the club level, helping her 16 team earn a bid to Nationals, earning bronze with her 17 and 18 squads at three junior national qualifiers, a runner-up finish with her 18 Roshambo team at the Long Beach West Coast Cup, and a title at the AVC 18S National Qualifier Open. Off the court, Ureña is a two-time Cum Laude Honor Roll student, including this past fall, and is a two-time Sunshine League All-Academic selection.
Choi on Ureña: "Bella hails from the volleyball mecca that is Southern California. She's been competing at a high level for some time now and I'm excited to see her offensive contribution to our team."
O'Neil and Ureña bring Fordham's roster to 16 for the 2018 campaign.
