BRONX, N.Y. - Ahead of the start of the 2024-25 school year, Head Coach Melissa Inouye has announced the incoming class of players for Fordham University Softball.

Featuring six players, the incoming 2024 class includes a pair of pitchers in Elizabeth Gaisior and Victoria Klimaszewski, two primary infielders in Gianna Spinelli and Ava Vandernoth, one catcher in Sophie Nesturrick, and an outfielder in Morgan Volgraf. Amongst that group is a trio of New Yorkers, a pair of Pennsylvania, and one Canadian athlete.

"We are very excited to welcome our 2028 recruiting class to our Ramily," said Coach Inouye. "They are a versatile group of student-athletes who have competed and succeeded at the high school, travel ball and international levels. These six players will provide quality depth offensively and defensively and we feel they will help us continue to compete for championships. We look forward to working with Lizzie, Gia, Vikki, Morgan, Sophie and Ava and helping them be successful on and off the field as Rams." 

A standout, four-year varsity pitcher Elizabeth "Lizzie" Gaisior comes to Rose Hill after leaving her mark on both her high school and club teams. Over that time she would set her school, league, and PIAA District 6 records for both single-season strikeouts at 427 and career strikeouts at 1,302. Her impressive career tally made her just the fourth player in Pennsylvania State History to record 1,000 strikeouts, and the second to play for Fordham, after Devon Miller '22, '23, became the third player to do so back in 2019.

A two-time PaHSSBCA Class 3A First Team-Pitcher (2023 & 2024), Gaisior would earn overall pitcher of the year honors in 2023, and Class 3A Pitcher of the Year honors after her senior campaign. Gaisior would also be named a PIAA District 6 All-Star in 2024, a year after her team claimed the District championship. That would not be her only title, as she claimed Carpenter Cup Classic MVP after helping her team to the 2022 title. Gaisior played her club ball for VA Glory National Mertz-Griffith, and comes to Rose Hill as a psychology major.

Coach Inouye on Gaisior - "Lizzie is a competitive pitcher that will provide a different look to our bullpen. She had an impressive high school career as she became just the fourth pitcher in Pennsylvania history to record 1,000+ strikeouts. We look forward to her spinning the ball, getting swings and misses and strikeouts."

Gaisior on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham University because of its sound education and location in a city that can enhance my personal and academic life." 

Joining the Ramily from North of the border, Victoria Klimaszewski becomes the second Canadian on the roster, hailing from Toronto, Ontario. Named the top pitcher at Canadian Nationals in 2024 with the Oakville Angels on the club side, her team would earn bronze at Ontario Provincials, and earned silver in 2023 with Etobrooke Mayhem.

Klimaszewski would also earn team MVP on her high school team in 2023. She will major in Biochemistry.

Coach Inouye on Klimaszewski - "Vikki is a solid late addition to our pitching staff as she has a lot of upside with her smooth mechanics and strong pitching frame. She has a good demeanor about her, velocity, and a nice repertoire of pitches."

Klimaszewski on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham because of their amazing academic and athletic reputation. I also fell in love with the campus and the city that it's in. It's the perfect place to chase my dreams on the field and in the classroom." 

Staying local to the Empire State, Sophie Nesturrick comes to The Bronx from Oceanside where she played for varsity as a catcher and infielder, primarily on the left side. An All-County selection her final three seasons, she would be named to the Top-100 list in her junior and senior campaigns, serving as a team captain both of those years. 

Amongst a plethora of awards her senior year, Nesturrick was tabbed an All-Long Island First Team selection, and would also earn All-State honors, while being named Team MVP and Oceanside HS Women's Athlete of the Year, as she helped her team to the Nassau County Championship. Playing her club ball with Team Long Island Select under Head Coach Marie Racano. Nesturrick will major in Sociology.

Coach Inouye on Nesturrick - "Sophie is a player with a good glove, size and arm strength. Her versatility will add quality depth for us behind the plate and infield and hits for contact and power."

Nesturrick on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham because of the great school, great coaching staff, beautiful campus and the family-like atmosphere."

Gianna Spinnelli will make the short trip across the Whitestone to begin her collegiate career, as the New York City native comes to Rose Hill after a four year varsity career at Archbishop Molloy in Queens. Receiving a full four-year scholarship, she would earn the Coaches award in each of her first three seasons, while graduating with honors and an overall average above 95% for her four years. 

A primary third baseman, Spinelli would split her club time with both NJ Lady Dukes under Coach Juan Torres, and Staten Island Saints. Spinnelli will come to Rose Hill as Pre-Health Major.

Coach Inouye on Spinelli - "Gia is a blue collar player who will add good depth to our infield in a few positions. She plays the game hard and can hit for contact and power."

Spinelli on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham because it is an opportunity to get one of the best educations offered in the world. New York is my home and it gives me a great sense of pride to play for a top University in my home state."

Another New York native, Ava Vandernoth joins the Rams as an infielder from North Babylon, and played all four high school seasons as a varsity starter at St. Anthony's, serving as a team captain her senior year. An undefeated four-time league champion, Vandernoth also helped her team to three State Championships from 2021-24. 

A three-time Newsday Top 100 player (2022-2024), she was also selected as a two-time All League player and All New York State Player in 2022 and 2024). Her shelf of accolades also included NFCA 2nd Team All Region as utility (2024), John Loughran Memorial Award recipient in 2024. 

Vandernoth rose through the club ranks with Team Long Island Select from 2016-24 under Coach Marie Racano. She will come to Rose Hill majoring in Mathematics.

Coach Inouye on Vandernoth - "Ava is a player with a good softball IQ who will add energy and depth to our middle infield. She is an aggressive hitter who can hit for solid contact and will put the ball in play a lot." 

Vandernoth on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham because of the overall feeling of family, great educational opportunities, beautiful campus, and to play for a great program and learn from an amazing coaching staff." 

Rounding out the 2024 recruits for the Rams, Morgan Volgraf, comes to Fordham as an outfielder out of Langhorne, Pa. Named a Suburban One All League First Team and Bucks County Courier Times All Area First Team selection in 2024, she was also Mercer/Bucks County Trentonian All Area Second Team last season, and was named 2024 Most Valuable Player by her team, a season that she was also a team captain.

In 2023, Volgraf would garner Defensive Player of the Year, Suburban One All League First Team, and Bucks County Courier Times All Area Second Team honors. On the club side, playing for Coach Torres on NJ Lady Dukes Gold, she was named to the 2023 East Coast Fall Showcase Second Team as well. Volgraf will major in Psychology.

Coach Inouye on Volgraf - "Morgan is a player with good athleticism, size, length and speed. She is another versatile lefty hitter and as an outfielder she has a good arm and range."

Volgraf on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham for its high academics, amazing opportunities, and the softball program's proud winning history!"

Stay tuned to the Fordham Softball social channels for updates on the Rams throughout the season and for updates on fall ball dates, times, and opponents.