NORFOLK, Va. – Head coach Fred Chao of the Old Dominion volleyball team signed six players to the incoming class. Camilla Tamburini, Jamie Bissmeyer, Jordan Daniel, Julia Dunning, Madelyn Grunza and Teresa Alitano will join the Monarch squad this fall.
"I am excited about our additions to the 2020 roster," expressed Chao. "As a whole, this is a skilled and experienced group who will make immediate contributions to our level."
Camilla Tamburini
Position: 6-0 Outside Hitter
Hometown: Castel Maggiore, Italy
High School: Liceo Scientifico Niccolò Copernico
Academic Interests: Business & Economics
Biography: Tamburini has competed in multiple international team tournaments. Two years in a row, Tamburini's team took third place at the U16 Regional Championships. In a field of 42 teams, her U16 team took third at the Anderlini Winter Cup. Her final two years of high school, Tamburini helped lead her national team to the playoffs.
Chao on Tamburini: "Camilla Tamburini is a well-rounded volleyball player who will add different experiences to the group. She has been brought up with the Italian passion for volleyball, and has also spent a year playing club and high school in the U.S. I expect Cami to make an immediate impact at the outside hitter position."
Jamie Bissmeyer
Position: 5-5 Defense/Libero
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.
High School: Salem
Academic Interests: Biology
Biography: Local product Bissmeyer was named First Team All-Conference as a freshman, Second Team All-Region as a senior and back-to-back team MVP. Off the court, Bissmeyer earned a 4.12 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Chao on Bissmeyer: "Jamie Bissmeyer is an all-around athlete from the Hampton Roads/Tidewater area who excels at defense. She comes from a volleyball family and plays every chance she gets. Her experience from indoor, beach, and adult leagues gives her a good perspective of the game, and her intelligence and fearlessness are products of this. She is very quick and can make incredible saves."
Jordan Daniel
Position: 5-6 Libero
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.
High School: First Colonial & Cox High School
Academic Interests: Veterinary Medicine
Biography: A four-year varsity member, in 2019 Daniel was named FCHS Defensive Player of the Year, a VHSL Class 5 Region A All-Region First-Team Libero and VHSL Class 5 All-State First-Team Libero. Daniel has helped lead First Colonial to a second-place finish in the VHSL Class 5 State Tournament in 2019. In 2018, FCHS earned second-place at the VHSL Class 6 Regional Tournament and was VHSL State Class 6 semifinalist. Off the court, Daniel was a member of the National Art Honor Society, Key Club, Latin Club and earned an internship with the Sargent Law Firm.
Chao on Daniel: "Jordan Daniel is another great talent from the area and played on one of the only club teams consistently competing at the open level. Her serve and pass game is very strong, and she will help us in this crucial aspect of the game. Her speed and quickness give her a large defensive pursuit range, and she controls the first touch well."
Julia Dunning
Position: 5-10 Setter
Hometown: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Previous School: Missouri State University – West Plains
High School: Craigslea State High School
Academic Interests: Biology
Biography: Dunning, an incoming junior, has played for Australia every year since 2016 and was selected in the Australian Women's Senior Team Squad in 2019. Nationally, Dunning ranked fifth in the nation for setter assists and sixth for assists per set as a freshman. Through two years at Missouri State West Plains, Dunning had 1,995 assists. Off the court, Dunning graduated from Missouri State West Plains with honors and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.
Chao on Dunning: "Julia Dunning joins us from a very successful two-year program. Having been a part of the Australian National Team pipeline, she brings experience to our young squad. She has the speed to run down passes and makes good sets under pressure."
Madelyn Grunza
Position: 6-0 Rightside Hitter
Hometown: Southlake, Texas
High School: Carroll
Academic Interests: Civil Engineering Technology
Biography: Hailing from the Lone Star State, Grunza was named Carroll High School Offensive Player of the Year and a three-time Academic All-District honoree. She's recorded 336 kills, 177 blocks, 206 digs and four assists throughout her high school career. Grunza also helped lead Carroll to a 31-12 record in 2020, earning a spot in the bi-districts playoffs. Off the court, Grunza completed 100 hours of community service, four years of a language, and two years of an art to be named a Success Scholar.
Chao on Grunza: "Madelyn Grunza comes from one of the best club programs in the country. Her high school also played at a high level, and she is well prepared to transition into the college game. She is a natural right side and can score points with her attack angles. As she gets stronger, she will become a physical presence for us as both an attacker and as a blocker."
Teresa Atilano
Position: 6-1 Setter
Hometown: San Diego, California
High School: Cathedral Catholic
Academic Interests: Finance
Biography: The Monarchs first student-athlete from California, Atilano was a two-time Union Tribune Scholar-Athlete at Cathedral Catholic High School. She helped lead her team to winning the Durango Tournament and won four-straight league championships. An all-tournament selection, Atilano and her squad took third at Junior Nationals. Off the court, Atilano earned honor roll four times through her high school career.
Chao on Atilano: "Teresa Atilano also comes from strong club and high school pedigree. Her size gives us a strong net presence and she has good setting range. She has a calm and confident personality on the court that makes her a natural leader."
Volleyball Announces Six Newcomers
