Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball adds a pair to complete 2018 roster
6/26/2018 11:27:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. – Head coach Jonathan Winder has completed the roster for his first season leading the Fresno State volleyball program with the additions of Jocelyn Rodriguez (Clovis, Calif./San Francisco State) and Lauren Sabbatini (Hollister, Calif./San Benito HS).
Along with incoming freshman Kava Durr, the 'Dogs have three newcomers joining 12 returners for the upcoming 2018 season.
"In the short time we have been here, I know we are blessed to bring in three high level volleyball players that are fantastic young women who are competitive, talented, and driven that will be incredibly important in building this program," Winder said. "We are thrilled they chose to be Bulldogs."
Rodriguez joins the 'Dogs as a sophomore libero/defensive specialist after playing her first collegiate season at San Francisco State. A local product from Clovis, Rodriguez led San Francisco State and ranked fourth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 0.36 aces per set last year and was seventh in the CCAA with 407 digs and 4.37 digs per set. She had 20 matches with double-digit digs and eight with 20 or more digs, posting a season-best 36 digs against Academy of Art.
As a prep player at Clovis East HS, Rodriguez was a 2015 and 2016 First Team All-Tri River Athletic Conference (TRAC) selection and was named to the Fresno Bee All Star team in 2015 and 2016. She was named Rookie of the Year in 2014 and earned Defensive Player of the year honors in 2016 and helped lead her team to the TRAC championship and valley championship titles in 2015.
"Jocelyn comes back to Fresno as a highly recommended player from all the coaches who have worked with her," Winder said. "She embodies so much of what the Fresno community is all about - she's humble, hardworking, and is driven to make things better than ever before. Her serving, passing, digging, and competitive spirit will be great additions to the level and environment of our team."
Sabbatini totaled 318 kills during her junior season and led San Benito to a perfect 12-0 league record last year. She also played for club team Vision for three years, competing at U.S. Junior National in 2015, 2016, and 2017 and in Beach Junior Nationals in 2016.
"Lauren has wonderful arm strength as an outside hitter and has developed quickly as a passer," Winder said. "She has been competing at a high level nationally with her club, preparing her to make that transition to the college level quickly. She is a great student, awesome person to be around, and easy going."
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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Along with incoming freshman Kava Durr, the 'Dogs have three newcomers joining 12 returners for the upcoming 2018 season.
"In the short time we have been here, I know we are blessed to bring in three high level volleyball players that are fantastic young women who are competitive, talented, and driven that will be incredibly important in building this program," Winder said. "We are thrilled they chose to be Bulldogs."
Rodriguez joins the 'Dogs as a sophomore libero/defensive specialist after playing her first collegiate season at San Francisco State. A local product from Clovis, Rodriguez led San Francisco State and ranked fourth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 0.36 aces per set last year and was seventh in the CCAA with 407 digs and 4.37 digs per set. She had 20 matches with double-digit digs and eight with 20 or more digs, posting a season-best 36 digs against Academy of Art.
As a prep player at Clovis East HS, Rodriguez was a 2015 and 2016 First Team All-Tri River Athletic Conference (TRAC) selection and was named to the Fresno Bee All Star team in 2015 and 2016. She was named Rookie of the Year in 2014 and earned Defensive Player of the year honors in 2016 and helped lead her team to the TRAC championship and valley championship titles in 2015.
"Jocelyn comes back to Fresno as a highly recommended player from all the coaches who have worked with her," Winder said. "She embodies so much of what the Fresno community is all about - she's humble, hardworking, and is driven to make things better than ever before. Her serving, passing, digging, and competitive spirit will be great additions to the level and environment of our team."
An outside hitter and defensive specialist, Sabbatini will be one of two Bulldog freshmen in 2018 after completing her high school career at San Benito HS last fall. She was a three time All-Monterey Bay League (MBL) first team selection for San Benito and was named Co-MVP of the MBL Gabilan division in 2017. She was selected as her team's best offensive player in 2015 and 2016 and helped lead her squad to four straight league titles.Welcome back to the valley Clovis East alum Jocelyn Rodriguez! #GoDogs
— Fresno State VB (@FresnoStateVB) June 26, 2018
📰 https://t.co/xqcgNjqicF pic.twitter.com/nJg7mwCw2O
Sabbatini totaled 318 kills during her junior season and led San Benito to a perfect 12-0 league record last year. She also played for club team Vision for three years, competing at U.S. Junior National in 2015, 2016, and 2017 and in Beach Junior Nationals in 2016.
"Lauren has wonderful arm strength as an outside hitter and has developed quickly as a passer," Winder said. "She has been competing at a high level nationally with her club, preparing her to make that transition to the college level quickly. She is a great student, awesome person to be around, and easy going."
The Bulldogs will play their annual Alumnae Match in the Save Mart Center on Aug. 18 before opening the season at the EIU Panther Invitational Aug. 24-25 in Charleston, Ill. The 'Dogs home opener will be against local rival Fresno Pacific on Tuesday, Aug. 28.Welcome to the Bulldog family Lauren Sabbatini! #GoDogs
— Fresno State VB (@FresnoStateVB) June 26, 2018
📰 https://t.co/p8zZauziz5 pic.twitter.com/791iCKQYkA
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
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