(July 12, 2006) ?C Fordham Volleyball coach Pete Volkert announced the incoming class for the 2006 Fordham Volleyball team today. The newest Fordham Rams are Kelly Benson (Mission Viejo, CA/Tesoro), Jolanda Gunning-Snowden (Los Angeles, CA/Marlborough), and Emilie Stewart (Seal Beach, CA/Los Alamitos).
Benson, a 6?? 2?? middle hitter, was a four-year varsity volleyball player at Tesoro High School, serving as team captain. She garnered Offensive Player of the Year honors and was a two-time All-League performer. She also played for the varsity basketball and track teams, and was a volunteer for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.
Gunning-Snowden, a 6?? 1?? middle/outside hitter, was a three-year varsity volleyball player for Marlborough High School. She was a two-time First Team All-Sunshine League selection. She served as team captain, and was Named team MVP once, and most improved player twice. Besides volleyball, she ran two years of varsity track, and was the Sunshine League Champion in the high jump, triple jump, and 4x400 relay events. Aside from athletics, Gunning-Snowden served as President of the Marlborough African-American Students club, as well as serving on the Student Council. She has also worked as a volunteer, delivering Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels to homebound senior citizens (1998-2005).
Stewart, a 6?? 0?? right side/outside hitter, was a four-year varsity volleyball player, splitting time at Los Alamitos High School (SR) and Sunny Hills High School (FR-JR). She helped Los Alamitos to the 2005 CIF D-1 State Championship, as well as to the CIF Southern Region D-1 Championship, the CIF Southern Section D-1A Championship, and the Sunset League Championship. A selection for the 29th Annual Orange County High School All-Star game as a senior, she was an All-Sunset League Honorable Mention pick in 2005, and was a three-time selection to the Southern California Volleyball Association Regional Team (2004-06). A First Team All-Freeway League pick in 2004, Stewart received a bronze medal as a past of the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics 18U National team. Off the court, she is a member of the California Scholastic Federation, and was a High School Scholar-Athlete.
The 2006 Fordham Volleyball team will open their season on Friday, August 27th, at the Hilton Garden Inn Northern Arizona Invitational, where they will meet San Jose State at 8:00 PM eastern.
