Matadors Volleyball sophomores sign to continue careers at four-year schools
Four Arizona Western Matadors Volleyball sophomores signed letters of intent to continue their volleyball and academic careers at four-year schools on Thursday morning.
YUMA, Ariz. – Four Arizona Western Matadors Volleyball sophomores signed letters of intent to continue their volleyball and academic careers at four-year schools on Thursday morning.
First team All-Region Region I libero Rana Yamada signed to continue her career at Syracuse University after playing in 27 matches for the Matadors this past fall, recording 328 digs, averaging 3.31 digs per set. Yamada set a season-high with 22 digs in a 3-2 win over Eastern Arizona on October 5, and matched that total in a 3-2 loss at Central Arizona on October 12.
Prior to her arrival in Yuma, Yamada was the Region IX Libero of the Year as a freshman at Central Wyoming College, leading the team with 418 digs. Syracuse University is an NCAA DI institution located in Syracuse, N.Y., and competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Outside hitter Gabriela Martensson signed to play at the University of Southern Mississippi following a two-year career at Arizona Western, appearing in 56 total matches and playing 197 sets for the Matadors. Martensson totaled 465 kills, averaging 2.36 kills per set, and had 55 service aces in her two seasons.
Martensson had a career-best 301 kills as a freshman in 2023-24 and had a career-high 18 kills twice as a freshman. Southern Mississippi is an NCAA DI institution located in Hattiesburg, Miss., and competes in the Sun Belt Conference.
Juliana Henao-Amu will continue her career next year at Alcorn State University. Henao-Amu missed the 2024 season with an injury but played in eight matches as a freshman in 2023, tallying 30 assists and five digs, recording a career-best seven assists in the Matadors' season-opening 3-2 win over Garden City. Alcorn State University is an NCAA DI school located in Lorman, Miss., and competes in the Southwestern Conference.
Sophomore outside hitter Lilou Henry-Souquet-Bressand has signed with Wayland Baptist University after playing in 12 matches in her lone season at Arizona Western. Henry-Souquet-Bressand transferred to Arizona Western from Western Iowa Tech, where she appeared in 21 matches and tallied 74 kills and 126 digs for the Comets. Wayland Baptist is an NAIA institution located in Plainview, Texas, and competes in the Sooner Athletic Conference.