NORFOLK, Va. – Head coach of the Old Dominion volleyball team Fred Chao announced today the addition of transfer outside hitter Tessa Mati. Mati played last season at Kansas State and has extensive playing experience at the club level in her native Italy.
"Tessa is a physical volleyball player, and we welcome her net presence both offensively and defensively," Chao said. "She already has experience at the D1 level in the U.S., and her experience in the Italian leagues will add to our team's culture."
Mati appeared in one match at Kansas State last season, logging two kills on four total swings in a sweep of Texas Tech on Nov. 7. Off the court, Mati was a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and featured on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team. Mati was the first Italian to play for the Wildcats and was part of the No. 23-ranked recruiting class in 2020, according to PrepVolleyball.com.
Prior to Kansas State, Mati played club volleyball for a pair of Italian teams -- Vigili del Fuoco Grosseto from 2014-18 and later Megabox Battistelli Pesaro. She attended Liceo Scientifico Guglielmo Marconi in Grosseto, Italy.
Why ODU?
"I chose ODU because it is a great new program with an amazing team culture and really hard-working people. I saw an incredible opportunity to be part of a united group that is going to have outstanding results."
Volleyball Adds Transfer Tessa Mati
