MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Barry University volleyball coach Steve Hendricks announced the signing of five players for the 2014 season.
The Buccaneers added libero Brittany Jaco, outside hitter Victoria Fajardo, defensive specialists Paola Buitrago and Samii Wong and middle blocker Anita Oppenauer.
“I am very excited about this class," Hendricks said. “I believe each of them will make a strong impact, and will contribute greatly to our success.”
Jaco, a 5-foot-7 junior from Bradenton, Florida, is a transfer from State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota. Last season she set a school record with 555 digs, and played in all but one of the Manatees’ 118 sets. Jaco was selected to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 8 Team and was a First-Team All-Florida College System Activities Association choice. She was the runner-up for the FCSAA Player of the Year.
Fajardo is a 6-2 junior transfer from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. She led SCC in kills (292), kills per set (3.44) and hitting percentage (.307). Fajardo was a First-Team All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and Second-Team All-Region selection last season. She was named to the San Diego City College All-Tournament Team, and was a two-time ACCAC Player of the Week. A native of Phoenix, Fajardo was named to the President’s Honors List and was a College Honors student.
Buitrago is a 5-7 sophomore transfer from California-Pennsylvania. Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, she played for Colegio Catolico Notre Dame in high school. She also played club volleyball for VolleyUmet Rojo.
Oppenauer is a 6-foot freshman who plays club ball in Vienna, Austria. She played for the Austrian Junior National Team. Her Under-19 team won the Austrian Junior National Championships, while her U21 team finished third. Oppenauer’s U17 team finished first and second in 2012. She has also played on four teams that finished second in the Austrian State Championships, another that won the National School Championships and a Regional Cup title-winning team.
Wong, a 5-5 freshman from Denver, was the team captain at Littleton High. She was selected Player of the Match three times by MaxPreps. Wong played for Denver Juniors in the club season.
“Anita and Victoria come with outstanding experience and size in the front row, while Brittany has shown us tremendous ability as a libero,” Hendricks said. “Paola and Samii will add additional depth to our ability to control the ball and win long rallies. They are a very talented group, and the more I learn about them as people the more I realize what a great addition each of them will make in our program and at Barry University.”