The Arizona volleyball team has signed high school standouts Ashley Harris (Petaluma, Calif.), McKenzie Jacobson (Fresno, Calif.), Jessika Long (Sandy, Utah) and Penina Snuka (Gilbert, Arizona) to national letters of intent.
“We needed some size, we got that and we needed some athleticism, we got that,” coach Dave Rubio said. “We got some kids, who I think, will allow us to take our current team to the next level. You never know until they get here and they’re training everyday, but we feel pretty good about the class we have coming in.”
Harris is a 6-foot-8 outside hitter who will become the tallest player in UA history. She was named Under Armour First-Team All-America and was named a “Senior Ace” by PrepVolleyball.com.
Jacobson is a 6-6” middle blocker who was named Under Armour Second-Team All-American and a top-100 senior by PrepVolleyball.com.
“In Ashley Harris and Mackenzie Jacobson, their size and presence that they will have on the court will be something that we haven’t had in quite some time and maybe ever,” Rubio said. “Not only are they just tall, it’s one thing to be tall, but it’s another thing to be tall, skilled, and athletic and I think both those players possess those attributes."
Long is a 5-9 setter who was a four-year starter and an all-state player at Juan Diego High School.
“We recruited Jessika really late, we feel like she’s a terrific athlete, really well skilled kid and feel fortunate to get a player of her level at such a late date,” Rubio said. “She is a player that will be able to help us immediately.”
Snuka is a 5-6 setter who played her senior season at Kahuku High School in Hawaii after spending her first three years at Gilbert High School. She was named to the Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 and was ranked No. 34 on PrepVolleyball.com’s list of the top 100 seniors.
“I feel pretty fortunate to get a player of her skill level, her athleticism and her competitiveness,” Rubio said. “I feel like she’s got a chance to be in the same category as Dana Burkholder (former UA All-American). She’s got that type of potential, so we are very excited about her being in the program. She’s a game changer for us."
