NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion volleyball head coach Fred Chao announced the signing of three incoming freshmen on Wednesday as Elisa Maggi, Kate Kilpatrick and Adrienne Peji will join the Monarchs in 2023.
"I am excited about our 2023 signees. All three are very skilled and come from top level development programs. Elisa, Kate and Adrienne will have immediate impacts in our gym and will push our performance level," said Chao.
Elisa Maggi | Outside Hitter | Pavia, Italy | ITC Bordoni
An outside hitter from Pavia, Italy, Maggi attends ITC Bordoni where she has competed in multiple regional championships. In her first year during 2017-18, her U14 team placed first in their provincial championship, second in their regionals and fourth in the national championship. She also added an MVP Tournament selection that year. The next year saw her U16 team place first in the Provincial Championship and the 2019-20 season was halted due to the pandemic.
With the U17 team in 2020-21, she helped her squad win first at Provincials and fourth in Regionals. That same year saw her U19 team also capture the Provincial Championship and come in third at Regionals, and she also played in the B2 category. Yet another Provincial title and a fourth-place finish at Regionals came in 2021-22 as she played in the B1 category, and she is currently playing in the B2 category.
Off the court, she has served as her class President for three years and completed a one-month work study with a travel agency in her home city. She hopes to study marketing, languages and something in tourism when she gets to ODU.
"Elisa is an all-around volleyball player with solid ball control and an explosive attack," commented Chao. "She battles the block well and has the range and power to score. She is a strong defender who reads the play and can cover the court well. Elisa, like Kate, is a cool competitor. Her ability to focus and play with intensity is clear. She was also a leader on her U19 team in both performance, and personality.
Why ODU?
"I chose ODU because in addition to their amazing facilities, the University has a wide choice of study programs that can ensure me the future I wish. I like the location, I love the attention and care that the University gives to volleyball and last but not least I had a very good feeling with the coaches from the first video call we did."
Kate Kilpatrick | Libero | Raleigh, N.C. | Millbrook
Kilpatrick has been a four-year starting libero at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. With over 1,500 career digs, she helped the Wildcats to back-to-back NAC-6 regular season and conference championship titles in 2021 and 2022. Her effort on the court also helped capture a 4A Eastern Regional Championship and a 4A State Championship in 2022. A four-time All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honoree, she added NCVBCA All-State and All-Region nods in 2021 and was her conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. Kilpatrick has also been named an AAU Academic All-American and is on the Prep Volleyball, AVCA, and JVA Class of 2023 watch lists.
"Kate will be joining us in January, which says a great deal about her work ethic and commitment to our program," said Chao. "She is also a state champ, which is also an impressive accomplishment and speaks to her leadership. On the court, we will benefit from her ball control skills from day one. Her defensive instincts are sharp and her serve receive strong. While evaluating Kate, I appreciated her calm intensity."
Why ODU?
"When I visited, the coaches clearly had a goal and vision for this program, and it is something I want to be a part of. Additionally, the campus size and proximity to home is perfect for me."
Adrienne Peji | Setter/Defensive Specialist | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Ocean Lakes
A setter and defensive specialist from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Peji helped her team at Ocean Lakes to a 2019-20 6A Region Runner-Up finish. She was named to the 2021-22 All-Tidewater Second Team and to the 2022-23 High Five. Through two and a half seasons with the Dolphins, she's tallied 421 kills, 158 aces, 1,192 assists, 357 digs and 72 blocks.
Named multiple times to her school's Principal's List, she is a part of the school's Math and Science Academy. Peji is also a member of the Ocean Lakes Asian Culture Club and volunteers her time at the annual Ocean Lakes Volleyball Camp, the Ocean Lakes Wrestling Invitational and the Ocean Lakes Toys for Tots Wrestling Tournament. She is undecided on her major but wants to pursue a career as a physical therapist.
On Peji, Chao said, "Adrienne was identified early on as a dynamic and agile athlete who could play a variety of positions. She will add speed and ball control to our gym and will be a great addition to the program."
Why ODU?
"The opportunity to play for a high intensity team while still being close to home is one I could not ignore. The team is full of spirit and I am honored to get to play alongside other competitors. I love the diverse community as well as the clean and visually pleasing campus. It's condensed enough to be able to walk comfortably from place to place but still not cramped at all. All around I am excited to experience a welcoming community, competitive volleyball, and amazing campus."