Wright Adds Seven for Indoor Volleyball

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Head volleyball coach Kristen Wright announces the addition of seven Ospreys to the 2018 squad.

"The future of UNF Volleyball is bright. These additions to the program not only physically make us better, but our mentality will be impacted immediately," said Wright. "Each person was selected for a special reason to contribute with their gift to achieve something much bigger than themselves. We eagerly await to get our entire squad together to learn, grow, and come together as a family."

Click on a signees name to read more about them
Solimar Cestero | Emma Dixon | Grace Peterson | Charyari Ramos | Lexi Randolph | Kirby Smith | Grace Youngblood

Solimar Cestero
Hometown: Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
High School: Colegio De La Salle
Height: 6-0
Position: Outside Hitter
Club: Volley UMET coached by Ariel Ortiz
Notes: Cestero comes to the North Florida family from Volley UMET club team. She comes to UNF with a strong resume of being recognized for her accomplishments both on and off the court throughout her club and academic career.

What Coach Wright Says: "Solimar will make an immediate impact in our gym. She's the top outside hitter off the Puerto Rican island. She's a six cylinder force from either pin."

Emma Dixon
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
High School: Saint Thomas Aquinas
Height: 6-0
Position: Middle Blocker
Previous Team: VCU
Club: Tribe Volleyball Club
Notes: Dixon comes to the North Florida family from VCU and Tribe Volleyball Club, who qualified multiple times for USAV Junior National Championships. While in high school, she was a two-time Sun Sentinel First Team All-County selection. She helped St. Thomas Aquinas to three Florida 7A State Championships and a runner-up finish as a freshman.

What Coach Wright Says: "Emma brings a year of college experience and success into our gym. Emma is a fierce competitor who is a great blocker. Her transition quickness and ability to score will position her to be a major contributor on our team."

Grace Peterson
Hometown: Oviedo, Fla.
High School: Bishop Moore Catholic
Height: 6-1
Position: Right Side, Middle
Club: OTVA 18 Blue coached by Eric Gonzalez and Ashley Schinzing
Notes: At Bishop Moore, Peterson and the Hornets finished number one in the nation and garnered the 2016 6A State Championship. The team also won first place at the Nike Tournament of Campions in Arizona and were the 2017 6A runner up in state finals.

What Coach Wright Says: "Grace Peterson adds a lot of depth on the middle and right. She knows how to train hard and win. She will be an excellent addition to the championship culture we are building."

Charyari Ramos
Hometown: Ponce, Puerto Rico
High School: Colegio Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
Height: 5-11
Position: Outside Hitter, Setter
Club: GVA 18U coached by Javier Benjamin
Notes: Ramos and club team had a successful 2018. The team grabbed second place at the Spring Volleyball Challenge, third at the Puerto Rico Volleyball Showcase and the Jeep Volleyball Championship.

What Coach Wright Says: "Charyari is one of the best opposites off the island of Puerto Rico. Charyari brings versatility with the ability to set with great size and blocking ability. We will utilize Charyari with her ability to play at either pin as well as set."

Lexi Randolph
Hometown: Temecula, Calif.
High School: Great Oak
Height: 5-8
Position: Setter
Club: WAVE 18 coached by Sean Cahill
Notes: Randolph's club team placed Silver at LAJNQ in 17 American, earned a Bid to SCVA 2017 GJNC in 17 American, and won Gold at the AAU President's Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What Coach Wright Says: "Lexi brings outstanding training and experience coming all the way from California and one of the premier clubs nationally, Wave VBC. Lexi is the student of the game and will drive our team to new heights this season."

Kirby Smith
Hometown: Wrightsville Beach, N.C.
High School: Hoggard
Height: 6-2
Position: Outside Hitter
Club: Triangle 17 White coached by Michelle Fadool
Notes: In 2017, Smith was the Midestern Player of The Year, Star News Athlete of the Week and was a three-time Star News Volleyball Player of the Week. She was a part of the 2017 All-State and All-Region teams. During her career, she earned Player of the Match 28 times. She was a two-time Star News first team honoree, while also garnering All-Area recognition. In 2016, Star News named an All-Area Hitter, while the Mideastern Conference recognized her as the 3A/4A top hitter.

What Coach Wright Says: "Caroline "Kirby" Smith: Kirby comes in with great drive and size to contend on the outside. She's a solid passer and six cylinder player who will be a key factor in our success this year. Kirby is a natural leader."

Grace Youngblood
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Needham B. Broughton
Height: 5-11
Position: Outside Hitter, Defensive Specialist
Club: Triangle Volleyball Club 18 Blue coached by Logan Barber and Tonya Holmes
Notes: She was a two-time Academic All-Conference selection and received the 4-star award her final year.

What Coach Wright Says: "Grace is a great utility addition. She can play anywhere we need her. She has a contagious spirit and we're eager to see how much she learns and implements into her game."

Players Mentioned

Solimar Cestero

Emma Dixon

Grace Peterson

Charyari Ramos

Lexi Randolph

Kirby Smith

Grace Youngblood

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