JERSEY CITY, NJ – Saint Peter's women's volleyball interim head coach
Joe Chojnacki has added five student-athletes to the roster for the upcoming 2020 season. All five newcomers are in the class of 2024, coming to New Jersey from out of state high schools.
"I am really excited to welcome these five incoming student-athletes to the Peacock family," said Chojnacki. "The most important thing we did this recruiting season was to provide much needed depth at every position. Bringing in two middle blockers, two outside hitters and another setter gives our roster much more balance and competitiveness. I am really looking forward to this upcoming season."
Jessee Grubesic – S – 5'9 – Denver, CO – Denver South
Before Saint Peter's: Grubesic heads to New Jersey from Denver South High School in Denver, Colorado. At Denver South, she was named First Team Academic All-State as a junior and senior. Grubesic was an eight-time selection to the Academic Honor Roll throughout high school, earning the honor all four years. She is a 5-foot-9 setter who plans on majoring in business with a minor in art history at Saint Peter's.
Coach Chojnacki on Grubesic: "Jessee is a bundle of positive energy with a great work ethic. She was super excited about coming here from a very early stage in the recruiting process. Very athletic, smart player with great versatility. I'm really looking forward to working with her and watching her develop."
Brianna Jones – MH – 6'0 – Rochester, NY – Penfield
Before Saint Peter's: A native of Rochester, New York, Jones joins the Peacock program from Penfield High School. Standing at 6-feet tall, the middle hitter was a varsity starter at Penfield for three years and she helped lead her squad to a sectional finals as a sophomore. Jones' club team, VolleyFX, qualified for nationals from her freshman year to senior year. She was named to her school's honor roll every marking period academically and she will major in political science at Saint Peter's.
Coach Chojnacki on Jones: "Brianna is a really athletic player with a huge ceiling. Another player that will provide presence at the net for us in the middle. She has a great attitude and work ethic, smart and determined."
Amaia Martin – MB – 6'1 – San Antonio, TX – Harlan
Before Saint Peter's: Martin joins the Saint Peter's lineup after a successful career at Harlan High School in San Antonio, Texas. At the middle blocker position, she recorded over 600 kills and over 100 blocks while leading her team to a pair of district, regional, area championships. In her junior and senior seasons, Martin was named to the All-District Team and Academic All-District Team. She was a member of the National Honor Society and English Honor Society in high school with the plans to major in marketing at Saint Peter's.
Coach Chojnacki on Martin: "Amaia brings much needed presence at the net in the middle both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. She has a great attitude and is also very versatile. This past club season she actually played on the outside which means she's a great team player."
Skylee Nelson – OH/OPP – 5'8 – Vista, CA – Vista
Before Saint Peter's: Hailing from Vista, California, Nelson played her varsity volleyball at Vista High School. A 5-foot-8 multi-position player, she was selected All-State Team 2 and named to the San Diego All-Star Team. Academically, she will major in special education and cognitive psychology at Saint Peter's.
Coach Chojnacki on Nelson: "Skylee will provide depth for us at either pin. She comes from a strong club program so she has a great volleyball IQ and court awareness. Great personality with a positive attitude."
Camille Thoennes – OH – 5'10 – Highlands Ranch, CO – Mountain Vista
Before Saint Peter's: A 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Thoennes comes to New Jersey after playing the past four years on the varsity volleyball team at Mountain Vista High School. Her high school team placed fifth in the state of Colorado in 2019 and in 2017 she won a Junior National Championship.
Coach Chojnacki on Thoennes: "Camille can play either pin position with tons of potential. Another smart young lady from a good club team. She was well trained and brings a great attitude and sense of team play."
