Volleyball Welcomes Five Ospreys in Impressive Signing Class
11/12/2021 12:56:00 PM | Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida volleyball is excited to announce five new additions to the program in an impressive signing class.
The Ospreys welcome Savannah Cook, Maymie Guthrie, Kierstyn McFall, Alannah Nelson and Mya Sopata. The five signees come from North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida and Ohio, touting AVCA national recognition, state records and championships.
Savannah Cook
Honors and Statistics:Â
Fun Facts and Personal Info
Coach Wright on Savannah:
"Savannah is a driven, savvy, offensive setter/opposite that will provide depth behind our young setting duo in Antar and Askew as well as pin depth. She is assertive, hard-working and a student of the game. Culturally we think she'll help keep the focus we need to reach new milestones as a program in future years. A warm welcome is warranted to the Cook family."Â
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because of the intensity of the program and the feeling of being a part of a family. I love how hard everyone works and how hard Coach Wright and the staff pushes everyone. I love the disciplined and positive culture at UNF and believe I can grow the most mentally and physically here!" -- Savannah
Maymie Guthrie
Honors and Statistics:Â
Fun Facts and Personal Info
Coach Wright on Maymie:
"Maymie is an excellent addition to our back court. training under Rocio Moro and Logan O'brien will produce a ton of experience and produce a lot of confidence in future years. Maymie is disciplined, steady, technically sound and competitive. We're excited to have Maymie and her family join us here at UNF!"
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because of the family-like atmosphere that is presented from the coaches and players. Living near the beach has been a dream of mine. I'm so thankful for this opportunity! SWOOP!"
Kierstyn McFall
Honors and Statistics:Â
Fun Facts and Personal Info
Coach Wright on Kierstyn:
"Kierstyn McFall is a true 6'4" that can jump and moves laterally well. She's exceptionally offensive, possesses the physicality we want in the middle and has a high ceiling. McFall plays for a prestigious club in Texas and brings in numerous accolades on her resume. We're thrilled to have Kierstyn and her family join ours!"Â
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because I knew it was the perfect place for me to continue to grow not only as an athlete, but as a well-rounded individual. I love the program's family values and the coaching staff's ability to motivate their athletes to be the best version of themselves. This program is amazing and I couldn't be more proud to be an Osprey!"
Alannah Nelson
Honors and Statistics:Â
Fun Facts and Personal Info
Coach Wright on Alannah:
"Alannah adds a lot of depth in the middle position and improves our blocking immediately. She's extremely athletic, coachable and steady. We look forward to watching Alannah develop over the years. Alannah plays for a strong club and is well trained. We look forward to having the Nelson family at UNF!"
Why UNF?
"The girls made me feel like they were a second family to me and that comfort on a team is something I have always wanted! And I of course love that I can go to the beach whenever!"
Mya Sopata
Honors and Statistics:Â
Fun Facts and Personal Info
Coach Wright on Mya:
"Mya Sopata is one of those recruits that at national tournaments you hear from coaches at top ten programs express how great she is. Mya is strong, she flies as an undersized middle and we'll be converting her to be a dominant pin attacker who can be versatile in the middle. Mya possesses a drive and competitiveness, mixed with joy that attracts anyone who watches her. We want to welcome her and her family."
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because I immediately connected with the coaching staff and their program. And then on top of that, I absolutely fell in love with how beautiful the campus is and the atmosphere all around Jacksonville."
Â
The Ospreys welcome Savannah Cook, Maymie Guthrie, Kierstyn McFall, Alannah Nelson and Mya Sopata. The five signees come from North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida and Ohio, touting AVCA national recognition, state records and championships.
Savannah Cook
- Hometown: Wilmington, N.C.
- Position: Setter
- Height: 6-2
- Previous School: Eugene Ashley HS
Honors and Statistics:Â
- Under Armour All-American
- First-team all-conference and second team all-area as a junior
- As a senior: MEC Player of the Year, first team-all conference
- AVCA All-Region Team
- Led the league in kills (304)
- 357 assists, 223 digs, 68 blocks, 5 triple-doubles and 15 double-doubles
Fun Facts and Personal Info
- Intends to major in early childhood education
- Daughter of Tiffany and Jon Cook
- Has two siblings, Marlee and Bella
- Father played baseball at Pfieffer University
Coach Wright on Savannah:
"Savannah is a driven, savvy, offensive setter/opposite that will provide depth behind our young setting duo in Antar and Askew as well as pin depth. She is assertive, hard-working and a student of the game. Culturally we think she'll help keep the focus we need to reach new milestones as a program in future years. A warm welcome is warranted to the Cook family."Â
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because of the intensity of the program and the feeling of being a part of a family. I love how hard everyone works and how hard Coach Wright and the staff pushes everyone. I love the disciplined and positive culture at UNF and believe I can grow the most mentally and physically here!" -- Savannah
Maymie Guthrie
- Hometown: Nolensville, Tenn.
- Position: Libero/DS
- Height: 5-7
- Previous School: Nolensville HS
Honors and Statistics:Â
- Played in every set during her high school career
- Year-by-year stats: 578 digs, 50 aces (senior); 335 digs, 100 aces (junior), 235 digs, 75 aces (sophomore), 152 digs and 52 aces (freshman)
- 2019 and 2020 AA State Champion
- Three-time all-district
- 2021 AAA State Champion
- MVP of the regional tournament
- Gateway Player of the Week
- Amethyst Champion (AAU Tournament)
Fun Facts and Personal Info
- Intends to major in exercise science
- Daughter of Missy and Matt Guthrie
- Has one sibling, Madden
- Mother, Missy, played volleyball at Cumberland University
Coach Wright on Maymie:
"Maymie is an excellent addition to our back court. training under Rocio Moro and Logan O'brien will produce a ton of experience and produce a lot of confidence in future years. Maymie is disciplined, steady, technically sound and competitive. We're excited to have Maymie and her family join us here at UNF!"
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because of the family-like atmosphere that is presented from the coaches and players. Living near the beach has been a dream of mine. I'm so thankful for this opportunity! SWOOP!"
Kierstyn McFall
- Hometown: Klein, Texas
- Position: Middle Blocker
- Height: 6-4
- Previous School: Klein HS
Honors and Statistics:Â
- AVCA High School All-American Second Team
- 2021 District 15-6A Most Valuable Player
- TAVBC All-State Academic and GHVCA All-Academic
- Triple Crown NIT Champion Elite Division - 2021
- Top 5 finish in the open division at Girl Junior National Championships
- Prep Dig ranked No. 11 in the nation for class of 2022
- NewcomTAVC All Texas Team (2019)
- AVCA Phenom (2019, 2020, 2021)
- GHVCA Post Season Team 6A (2019)
- 6A State Championship All- Tournament Team (2020)
- TGCA All- State (2020)
- 6A State Finalist (2020)
- GHVCA Pre- Season Team (2021)
- AVCA High School All- American Second Team (2021)
Fun Facts and Personal Info
- Intends to major in biology
- Daughter of Linda and Jason
- Has one sibling, Landon
- National Honor Society member
Coach Wright on Kierstyn:
"Kierstyn McFall is a true 6'4" that can jump and moves laterally well. She's exceptionally offensive, possesses the physicality we want in the middle and has a high ceiling. McFall plays for a prestigious club in Texas and brings in numerous accolades on her resume. We're thrilled to have Kierstyn and her family join ours!"Â
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because I knew it was the perfect place for me to continue to grow not only as an athlete, but as a well-rounded individual. I love the program's family values and the coaching staff's ability to motivate their athletes to be the best version of themselves. This program is amazing and I couldn't be more proud to be an Osprey!"
Alannah Nelson
- Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
- Position: Middle Blocker
- Height: 6-1
- Previous School: Timber Creek HS
Honors and Statistics:Â
- 1st in Philly NEQ qualifier
- Went to junior olympics in four seasons.
- September Player of the Month
- All-American Honorable Mention
- All-region selection
- Hit over .600 in majority of matches.
- Appeared in a pair of newspapers (Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Family Magazine)
Fun Facts and Personal Info
- Born in Ontario, Canada
- Intends to major in biomedical sciences
- Daughter of Andrea and Dean Nelson
- Has one sibling, Leshawn
Coach Wright on Alannah:
"Alannah adds a lot of depth in the middle position and improves our blocking immediately. She's extremely athletic, coachable and steady. We look forward to watching Alannah develop over the years. Alannah plays for a strong club and is well trained. We look forward to having the Nelson family at UNF!"
Why UNF?
"The girls made me feel like they were a second family to me and that comfort on a team is something I have always wanted! And I of course love that I can go to the beach whenever!"
Mya Sopata
- Hometown: Northfield, Ohio
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Height: 5-10
- Previous School: Nordonia HS
Honors and Statistics:Â
- Four-year varsity starter
- Four-year all-conference
- Four-year all district
- Three-time conference champions
- Regional semifinalist in 2020
- 2021 all-conference MVP, all-district MVP, All-Ohio First Team, All-American best and brightest, AVCA regional team
- Led the state of Ohio in total season kills (550), broke three school records (career kills - 1257, season kills - 550, and career aces - 208)
- Qualified for open nationals for the past six years
- Made it to national championships and finished second in USAV open nationals in 14s
- Finished 5th at USAV open nationals in 15s
- Ranked top ten by AES in 17s
Fun Facts and Personal Info
- Intends to major in special education
- Daughter of Amy and Erick, Sopata
- Mother, Amy, ran track at Muskingum
- Father, Erick, played collegiate club volleyball at Kent State
- Four-year honor roll student
- Level-nine competitive gymnast
Coach Wright on Mya:
"Mya Sopata is one of those recruits that at national tournaments you hear from coaches at top ten programs express how great she is. Mya is strong, she flies as an undersized middle and we'll be converting her to be a dominant pin attacker who can be versatile in the middle. Mya possesses a drive and competitiveness, mixed with joy that attracts anyone who watches her. We want to welcome her and her family."
Why UNF?
"I chose UNF because I immediately connected with the coaching staff and their program. And then on top of that, I absolutely fell in love with how beautiful the campus is and the atmosphere all around Jacksonville."
Â
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ VolleyballMahalia White - Honda Inspiration Cup Award Winner
Thursday, July 06
UNF Volleyball Family Starting Line Ups
Thursday, July 06
Volleyball Scrimmage 9-26-2020
Thursday, July 06
UNF Volleyball Diversity & Inclusion Night
Friday, November 12
