Welcoming the Recruits: Caltech Volleyball

Head Coach Tom Gardner has revealed the Caltech volleyball class of 2021, consisting of four incoming freshmen. Schedule Release Krystyna Maruszko (Redondo Beach, Calif. / Marymount) Allessandra Mondello (Kinnelon, N.J. / Villa Walsh Acad.) Isabell Yang (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia) Christine Yu (Fremont, Calif. / Mission San Jose) “I am really excited about this incoming […]

Head Coach Tom Gardner has revealed the Caltech volleyball class of 2021, consisting of four incoming freshmen.

Schedule Release

Krystyna Maruszko (Redondo Beach, Calif. / Marymount)
Allessandra Mondello (Kinnelon, N.J. / Villa Walsh Acad.)
Isabell Yang (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia)
Christine Yu (Fremont, Calif. / Mission San Jose)

“I am really excited about this incoming class as they will give us the depth we have been lacking and every player will be competing for starting positions,” Gardner said. “The versatility of the players is an added bonus; they cover all but one of our positions and will close all the gaps we had. Their personalities will mesh extremely well with our current players and we will be closer than ever for the future.”

Krystyna Maruszko
Redondo Beach, Calif. / Marymount
5-11, S/OPP

Maruszko was given her team’s Most Athletic Player award while excelling in the classroom and laboratory. She started as an intern, then earned a part-time lab assistant position in Dr. Voskuhl’s Laboratory in the UCLA Department of Neuology, Multiple Sclerosis program and has worked on an Ecology project in Belize in addition to serving as a member of the Marymount Design and Technology Club. She is a member of the National Art Honors Society, wrote articles for her school’s Spanish language mazgazine and volunteers with A Place Called Home.
“Krystyna is a dynamic player who will add size and versatility to the setting position,” Gardner said. “We will have the option of running a two-setter offense with her attacking or have her running an aggressive, single-setter offense. She comes with great experience and athleticism and she will make an immediate impact.”

Allessandra Mondello
Kinnelon, N.J. / Villa Walsh Acad.
5-5, L

Mondello twice earned NJAC First Team All-Conference honors and was named NJSIAA All-State Honorable Mention at Villa Walsh Academy. She has also participated in the Physics League and TEAMS TSA, in which her team placed among the Top 10 in the nation. She is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Mock Trial Club and service club Villa Services.
“Allessandra is the first true libero to be a part of the Caltech volleyball program since my arrival three years ago and I am eager to see how she can stabilize our serve-receive and defense,” Gardner said. “She is not afraid to hit the ground and will make us a more aggressive team.”

Isabell Yang
Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia
5-6, OH/L

Yang captained Arcadia High School and was recognized as the squad’s Offensive Player of the Year. She also spent a summer shadowing cardiothoracic surgeons at the Pomona Valley Medical Hospital Center, participated in the NYLF Advanced Medicine and Health Care Program at Johns Hopkins University and interned at Fulgent Diagnostics, where she worked on genetic testing.

“Isabell is an extremely athletic player who has the ball control of a libero and the vertical and shot ability of an outside hitter,” Gardner said. “She will compete for both positions and will make us better when she is on the court in either.”

Christine Yu
Fremont, Calif. / Mission San Jose
5-9, OH/OPP

“Christine will compete for a starting outside hitter position and will make the other outsides better with her presence,” Gardner said. “She also has the size that would allow her to come in and block some balls in the opposite position. I am excited to see what she can and will do.”

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