CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The reigning Southland Conference tournament champions of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beach volleyball program added six student-athletes to its 2023 roster, announced by head coach
Gayle Stammer.
The newcomers include two transfers and four freshmen. The Islanders added two Texas natives, three out-of-states and one international player.
The new additions are Raven Jordan, Chloe Tome, Avery Carroll, Maria "Duda" Fernandes De Melo, Autumn Stroop and Kristin Bobay.
Jordan is from Rosenberg, Texas. She attended B.F. Terry HS where she helped her indoor volleyball team to the 2020 playoffs for the school's first appearance in 12 years. She was named First-Team All-District in 2019 and 2020 while also earning Academic All-District all four years. Jordan will be majoring in Marine Biology with the goal to work at a wildlife rehabilitation center.
"Raven is an outstanding athlete with a huge upside and she's always in a good mood. Her length and hang-time makes her a formidable blocker that many of my defenders will want to play behind," said Stammer.
Tome, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, transfers in after playing three seasons at Missouri State University where she earned the AVCA Top-Flight Award at flight two. She posted a 23-5 record last season, including a win over No. 9 Stanford, breaking the program's single-season record for most wins. Tome also became the program's second all-time leader in wins with a 38 career total. She will be pursuing a degree in Business while on the Island.
"Chloe is a solid defender with three years of DI experience under her belt. Her drive to win and her volleyball I.Q. is going to help her thrive in my program for the next two years," said Stammer.
Carroll, from Keller, Texas, joins the Islanders after playing one season at Southland-foe Southeastern Louisiana. While a Lady Lion, Carroll earned Second-Team All-Conference honors after playing on flight four the majority of the season. She will be majoring in Nursing with hopes to become a labor and delivery nurse.
"Avery is a good defender with a year of DI competition under her belt. She is very coachable, fun to work with and thrives in this environment," said Stammer.
Fernandes De Melo is from Mossoro, Brazil and attended Internacional College Spain. She played club at C.V. Majadahonda for two years where she helped her team to a first-place finish in the Spanish National Championship for beach volleyball. As a student at A&M-Corpus Christi, she will be majoring in biomedical sciences.
"Duda joins us with a great attitude, willingness to learn and the height to be a blocker. She is a well-trained defender and her strong setting skills make her a desirable partner," Stammer said.
Stroop is a product out of Winchester, Virginia that helped her indoor high school team to a District Championship in 2021. She earned All-State and All-District honors in 2021 and was a part of the same team that had a district runner-up finish in 2019. She played club with Blue Rudge Volleyball for four years. Stroop is intending to major in Forensic Psychology to pursue a career as a forensic psychologist.
"Autumn is an explosive defender with a serious vertical jump," said Stammer. "She is a well-rounded player who can dig just about everything that comes over the net."
Bobay is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a 2021 and 2022 First-Team All-State and All-League selection. She was a part of the high school team that was the Summit Atlantic Conference champion all four years she was a student, including winning a State Championship in 2020. Academically, she earned First-Team All-State in 2021. Bobay is majoring in Kinesiology with the goal of beginning a career in occupational therapy.
"Kristin puts up a big block and is one of our best hand setters. Her athleticism, length, and happy disposition make her a good partner for many of my defenders," said Stammer.
Newcomers
Raven Jordan – 5-11, Rosenberg, Texas/B.F. Terry HS
Chloe Tome – 5-8, Milwaukee, Wisconsin/Missouri State University
Avery Carroll – 5-7, Keller, Texas/Southeastern Louisiana
Maria "Duda" Fernandes De Melo – 6-0, Mossoro, Brazil/Internacional College Spain
Autumn Stroop – 5-5, Winchester, Virginia/Millbrook HS
Kristin Bobay – 5-11, Fort Wayne, Indiana/Bishop Dwenger HS
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