Volleyball Bolsters Incoming Class With Quartet of Signees

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After an impressive set of signees was announced to be joining North Florida volleyball this past November, another set of newcomers will bolster that group as announced by head coach Kristen Wright and staff.

A pair of junior college transfers in Janelly Ceopa and Jenna Zimmermann will make their way up to Jacksonville, while incoming freshman and Carlsbad, Calif., native, Mackenzie Piester, will don the Navy and Gray. Outside hitter Mahalia White makes the trip across the country from California, transferring in from UC Davis with immense experience and numerous accolades.

Janelly Ceopa
Position: Outside Hitter
Ht.: 5-11
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Previous School: Miami Dade College
High School: Saco Oliveros
Major: International Business

Coach Wright's Words on Janelly:
"Janelly is a standout international player that earned MVP honors at the Pan-American Cup. She recently earned her AA degree after garnering numerous honors at the NJCAA level at nationally-ranked Miami Dade. The outside hitter is a true six-rotation athlete, with excellent ball control and an outstanding arm. Her physicality and experience will make a true impact immediately. Janelly is a gym rat and I know she will work hard to reach her goals."

Prior to UNF/On-Court Information

Lettered at Miami Dade College in Miami, Fla.
Played in 25 matches last season at Miami Dade, posting 3.35 kills/set, 2.58 digs/set and a .269 hitting percentage.
Pan American Cup Champion - U16 (2019)
MVP of the Pan American Cup - U16 (2019)
2016 South America School Champion (U14)
FCSAA Southern Conference Champion
FCSAA State Champion
NJCAA 3rd Place finish

Personal:

Intends to major in international business
Greatest inspiration: my family
Daughter of Dolly Dongo and Jubino Ceopa
Nickname: Jane
Has one sibling, Zahid Ceopa
Attended high school at Saco Oliveros in Lima, Peru

Why UNF:
"I knew that I wanted to be a part of UNF from the first time I spoke with the coaches. I love how they think and how they want to help us grow as athletes, students and more importantly, as people. The official visit confirmed my decision to be part of this family by seeing that there are wonderful girls here, who are always there for each other."

Mackenzie Piester
Position: Outside Hitter
Ht.: 6-3
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Carlsbad, Calif.
Previous School: La Costa Canyon
Club Team: Wave Volleyball Club
Major: Business

Coach Wright's Words on Mackenzie:
"Mackenzie brings a strong, physical presence to our pin depth. Her specialty is superb blocking and she is a finesse attacker. She's a huge piece from a high quality club team, Wave VBC in California. She has played in open level championships as well as high level high school volleyball at nationally reputable La Costa Canyon High School. Mackenzie is a great person who will be a huge piece to our culture's big picture."

Prior to UNF/On-Court Information

Played high school volleyball at La Costa Canyon in Carlsbad, Calif.
Competed in club ball with Wave Volleyball Club
2nd in the California Interscholastic Federation in 2021
2nd in California Division I in 2019
Second team all-league in 2021
2021 first team all-league for LCC in 2021
Achieved a first place finish in national division in 2017
Fifth at Triple Crown in 2020
2nd at the Reno Qualifier in 2019
3rd at the Atlanta qualifier in 2021
2nd in the nation at Wave17 in 2021

Personal:

Intends to major in business
Favorite pump-up song: "Party Rock Anthem"
Greatest inspiration: family and teammates
Looks up to her old club coach and high school coach
Nickname: Kenzie
Daughter of Alyson and David Piester
Has three siblings, Sierra, Natalie and Shane
Sister, Sierra, played volleyball at Hawaii Pacific
Father, David, played baseball at San Diego State and basketball at San Diego Christian and Fresno Pacific
Mother, Alyson, played volleyball at Fresno Pacific and San Diego Christian
Coach Wright coaches Mackenzie in California at the youth level
Her sister, Sierra, played for a championship team coached by Kristen Wright in 2013
Mother, Alyson, coached alongside Coach Wright at the youth level

Why UNF:
"I chose UNF because of the good vibe that I got right when I stepped on campus. The team also radiated the family energy that I was looking for during this next chapter of my life. The location also makes me feel at home even though I am 2000 miles away."

Mahalia White
Position: Outside Hitter
Ht.: 6-0
Class: Redshirt-Junior
Hometown: Canoga Park, Calif.
Previous School: UC Davis
High School: Chatsworth Charter HS
Major: American studies (bachelor's), communication management (master's)

Coach Wright's Words on Mahalia:
"Mahalia brings a wealth of experience that will add depth to our pin position. Mahalia is a winner in every sense of the word. The two-time first team All-Big West Conference selection and Big West Freshman of the Year honoree will score a ton of points in the Navy and Gray over the next two seasons. Her head coach at UC Davis, Dan Conners, said that 'she's one of the best people and student-athletes he has ever coached.'"

Prior to UNF/On-Court Information

2017 Big West Conference Freshman of the Year and all-freshman pick
2017 and 2019 Big West Conference First Team pick
2019 Big West Conference All-Academic Team
Six-time Big West Conference Freshman of the Week
676 kills and 3.35 kill/set at UC Davis
Touts the UC Davis rookie record for kills in a season, while also posting 27 in a single match
Had six 20-plus kill matches as a freshman, the lone freshman on the Big West First Team in 2017
MVP of the Aggie Invitational Tournament, while also earning all-tourney accolades at Utah Valley and Cal State Bakersfield
In her first match back after recovering from cancer, broke the single-match hitting percentage record. Posted an .813 mark in that match
Despite missing five games due to concussion, still managed to rank 8th in the Big West in kills/set
Had a highly lauded high school career, earning two All-Los Angeles City Section honoree
Selected to the AVCA Under Armour Watch List heading into senior season
Posted 593 kills, .363 hitting and West Valley League MVP honors
Academic all-conference

Personal:

Overcame stage four Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer, her proudest accomplishment
Played basketball, softball, soccer, track and field, flag football and volleyball growing up before falling in love with volleyball
Her mother is her greatest inspiration because she is a "resilient woman and always keeps an optimistic mindset. I look up to her and try to embody her whenever I face adversity".
Growing up in Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant is her hometown hero and Serena Williams is another role model in the world of athletics
Daughter of Patsy and Martin White
Has a twin brother, Matthew, and an older brother, Michael
Cousin, Avery, played basketball at UC Davis
Was one of 20 in her high school to graduate as a Valedictorian
President of the Coalition for African Diaspora Student-Athletes
Member of the Big West Conference Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Board Committee
Joe Singleton Athletic Scholarship recipient in 2022

Why UNF:
"I chose UNF because I connected really well with the coaches and players during the recruiting process. Additionally, the campus and facilities are great and the surrounding city has so much around it. UNF has the perfect grad program that fits my career goals. I was also very impressed by how the volleyball team did last year and I'm looking forward to joining a winning and competitive environment."

Jenna Zimmermann
Position: Setter
Ht.: 5-11
Class: Junior
Hometown: Cottbus, Germany
Previous School: Daytona State College
High School: Sportschule Potsdam
Major: Criminal Justice

Coach Wright's Words on Jenna:
"Jenna comes in with a high-level arsenal as a setter. She will provide tremendous depth and competition at the setting position immediately. Jenna has run the court at Daytona State, which has been among the best NJCAA schools in the country. Jenna is an excellent student. Her leadership and connectivity with the team and staff made it easy to add her to our family."

Prior to UNF/On-Court Information

Two-year letterwinner at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla.
U16 third place at German National Championships
U18 second place at German National Championships
Appeared in 37 matches at Daytona State, playing in 127 sets
Posted 8.50 assists/set, 1,079 assists, 90 kills, 42 aces, 246 digs, 1.94 digs/set and 51 blocks at the junior college level
Posted a 2021 best 57 assists against Missouri State University - West Plains August 28

Personal:

Nickname: Jey
Intends to major in criminal justice
Has one sibling, Luca
Daughter of Lars and Nadine Zimmermann
Hates bananas
Has watched Grey's Anatomy three times

Why UNF:
"On my visit I felt like I belonged here! When my parents asked me why UNF, I couldn't explain it because it was the feeling I had when I walked around campus, met the girls, saw how the players and coaches interacted and just how much fun everyone had all the time. UNF is the best school for me to continue my academic and athletic journey!"

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