June 28, 2024

Manta Ray Volleyball Announces Incoming Roster

Jacksonville, FL – The FSCJ Manta Ray Women's Volleyball team announced fourteen newcomers to the join the team ahead of the 2024 season.

The Manta Rays coming into a new season with Coach Hinck's first recruiting class, new mascot and refreshed program.

"We're really excited to have this year's recruiting class join our program as their strengths on the court and personalities will really complement our returning student-athletes," said women's volleyball head coach Chelsea Hinck. "Our returners have put in a tremendous amount of work in the gym and towards building our culture, and we cannot wait to get our incoming group intertwined this season."

Maison Turner | 5'7 | Fr. | S | Lee's Summit, MO | Lee's Summit North High School

Maison will make Jacksonville her new home all the way from Missouri. She has tremendous work ethic and will fit the caliber of play here at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Maison visited our campus in the Fall and had the opportunity to watch our program play at home in a competitive conference match. Maison has such an eager and infectious energy that you want instilled in your setter, says Coach Hinck. She has played for a competitive club where she has really showcased her tempo on the floor and her well rounded in defense. She is no stranger to the Jacksonville region as her older sister plays softball across the street at University of North Florida. "We look forward to her thriving over the upcoming seasons at FSCJ."

Maison says, "She is excited about the opportunity to play volleyball at FSCJ in one of the best locations on the map, Florida. She looks forward to meeting new people, being of a great team culture, and playing for an amazing coaching staff! She plans on studying psychology, and possibly double majoring or minoring in criminal justice.

Loadholtz joins the FSCJ volleyball program after a successful high school career winning the District Championship her junior season and advancing to the Regional Playoffs her senior season. Malayna led the program with 66 aces and the most kills in 2023. She not only led her volleyball team at Baker County High School but competed on her weightlifting team, AAU weightlifting, track team and played club volleyball in Clay County. Malayna is the Top 10 in her graduating class and received her AA from FGC as well as her high school diploma.

"Malayna's athleticism and heavy arm swing caught my eye early on in our recruitment process. She has such a dynamic play and competitive spirit that will develop really well in our system."

Malayna says, "At FSCJ she is most excited to be a part of such a competitive and energetic team! From her very first visit the team treated her as a teammate; the energy and level of play pushed her as an athlete every point. She plans to achieve her bachelor's degree in early childhood education while studying at FSCJ."

Julissa Rivera | 5'7 | Fr. | S | Jacksonville, FL | Oakleaf High School

Julissa is a local player coming from across the bridge and playing club at Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association. Rivera is a well-rounded player on and off the court. She has solid court awareness and a calm mindset on the floor that showcases with her hitters.

Coach Hinck says, "She is an extremely coachable kid with great athletic potential. She has a cool and collected way about her that brings a mature demeanor to the court. I look forward to watching her grow in the next level!"

Rivera says, "She is excited to play at the collegiate level and be a part of the Manta Ray Volleyball Team. She is also excited that she gets to stay close to home. She plans to major in Physical Therapy."

Quinn joins Manta Ray Volleyball after quite the career at New Smyrna High School. During her high school career, she was a part of the 2022-23 FSHAA Class 6A State Champions, 2022-23 Most Improved Player, 2023-24 District Runner Ups, 2023-24 5-Star Conference Champions and she was awarded the 2023-24 Volusia-Flagler All Area Honorable Mention Team. Quinn not only thrives with passion on the court but also in the classroom with a 4.3GPA.

"She has such an infectious presence on the court. Quinn has a level of determination that displays in her game with lateral speed and solid blocking. Her joy and excitement will help her excel in the college game," says Coach Hinck.

Quinn says, "She is very excited to continue her athletic and academic career at FSCJ. She looks forward to participating in the on-campus activities and making new connections with fellow students. She plans on receiving her Associate in Arts, with a focus on her prerequisites that will help her achieve a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences!"

Sophia comes to FSCJ Volleyball from Tohopekaliga High School where she played indoor and beach volleyball as a tiger. In her senior season, the indoor team made it to the 2023-24 Regionals and took the 2023-24 District Title in the sand. She is in National Junior Honors Society, Latinos in Action and an Executive Officer in the NJROTC at THS.

Coach Hinck says, "Sophia is a well rounded six rotation outside. She is powerful, dynamic, and a confident pin. I look forward to watching her aggressive play and steady serve receive unfold this season."

Sophia says, "She is excited to play at FSCJ because it is the start of a new chapter in her life. She is thrilled for the new opporunity to play with amazing girls and amazing coaches. Her plan is to study Criminal Justice."

Kennedy makes her way to Florida State College at Jacksonville from Branford High School where she accrued quite the high school career. Walker was awarded in her season year the 2023-24 Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Lake City Reporter Player of the Year, Mainstreet Daily News Small School First Team, All Gainesville Area Volleyball Team and the Prep Zone All Star Showcase. In her 2022-23 season she was the Riverbend News Player of the Year, Gainesville Sun All Area First Team, and Lake City Reporter Area Volleyball Team. Kennedy also played a role in BETA Club and National Honor Society.

Coach Hinck says, "Kennedy is an infectious player that brings a consistent level of play to our team. She has the versatility on the pin and in the middle that really make her a unique asset. She's fast, has a heavy arm and brings some hops. She will be a tremendous addition to what we are building here with Manta Ray Volleyball."

Kennedy says, "She is so excited to make new memories and new friends these next two years at FSCJ. She will be playing volleyball and earning her A.S to then achieve her Bachelor's in Nursing.

Héloïse Zakel | 6'1 | Fr. | MB | Bordeaux, FR | Saint-Exupéry High School

Heloise travels overseas from France to make her debut in Jacksonville. She is an indoor and beach player at Saint-Exupery High School and Re Island Beach/La Rochelle. Heloise has been tri sport athlete competing in indoor volleyball, beach volleyball and competitive swimming. She has earned 2023-24 Middle Blocker Pre-National Level for La Rochelle Volleyball, 2022-23 French Cup Beach Volleyball Runner Up, 2021-22 Middle Blocker for Le Haillan Club, 2020-21 Middle Blocker for Argenteuil Volleyball Club, 2019-2020 Middle Blocker for Sartrouville Volleyball Club, and 2018-19 Middle Blocker for Sartrouville Volleyball Club. Heloise is a proactive player that has also volunteered at the Paris Beach Volleyball Pro Tour and earned numerous podiums in beach volleyball tournaments.

Coach Hinck shares, "Heloise brings mature mindset to the game. She has played at a national level where she will showcase what she can do indoor and in the sand. She is a dynamic middle blocker that will be add great depth to our incoming middles."

Heloise says, "She is very excited to join the Manta Ray Volleyball Team, to meet the coaching staff, and her teammates to have a great season! She is ready to work hard to help her team perform and win in the indoor/beach season. She cannot wait to discover a new environment which will allow her to combine sports ad her studies. She is very excited to be part of the FSCJ team!"

Hailey comes to FSCJ from Newberry High School with a successful journey under her belt. In 2023-24 made her senior season to the State Championships and competed in the Final Four. She was a 2023-24 Gainesville Sun All Area Team Selection, Second Team Small School Outside Hitter, 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, August 2023 Pavlik Orthodontics Athlete of the Week, and selected to play in the 2023 Prep Zone All Star Showcase. Ending her senior season, she set the record for Newberry High School with 359 Kills in a season and ranked third in 1A for kills in 2023. In her 2023-23 season she was awarded Player of the Match six times in her junior year. Hailey is quite the student-athlete being a member of FCA, Environmental Club, National honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Academy of Criminal Justice Member and SGA Member all while earning a 4.65GPA. She has volunteered 148 hours to community service and her class ranking is 9 out of 154.

Coach Hinck shares, "Hailey is a dynamic powerhouse. She brings such a universal piece to our team with her competitive heart and selflessness to her teammates. She is a six rotation outside that has one powerful serve. This girl can fly and I look forward to seeing her mold her way at the collegiate level."

Hailey says, "She is so very excited to become a part of the FSCJ community. She cannot wait to be on such a beautiful campus with welcoming people. She is ecstatic to be able to play indoor and beach volleyball while being a piece to this new family. She plans to study Physical Therapy."

Brianna Gutierrez | 5'4 | Fr. | DS/L | Naples, FL | Fort Myers High School

Brianna comes to us from Fort Myers High School where she was an indoor and beach player. During her time at FMHS she was awarded Most Valuable Players and Most Improved Player. In her senior season her team made the Elite 8 in the Regional Championship. Bri was selected to player in the 2023-24 Lee County All Star Match and 2023-24 All Area Selection with Honorable Mention. Brianna also managed great success in her senior beach season as well by making it to the 2023-24 District Finals.

"Brianna is an athletic and quick bro. She is competitive and a natural leader that will really bring our defense to a new level. Her ability in the back row really showcases her range defensively and in serve receive, which is what really drew me to having her a part of our program here at FSCJ. I am excited to watch the depth and energy she brings do our defense," says Coach Hinck.

Bri says, "She is most excited about starting with a new volleyball family at FSCJ and continuing to pursue her education while playing the sport she loves!"

Lacie Cooke | 6'6 | Fr. | MB | Woodmoor, CO | Palmer Ridge High School

Lacie will be joining our roster all the way from Colorado where she was at Palmer Ridge High School. Lacie has great potential that will unfold at the junior college level and we are excited to watch her grow. She brings big height to our team that can really change the dynamic of our level of play. Coach Hinck shares, "Lacie will be contributing a large piece to our Manta Ray squadron this Fall. She brings a strong and big block to the net which will be new look to our team. She has a great demeanor to share with our depth in the middle. Her spirit and attitude are what you want on the court!"

Lacie says, "She is so excited for the season and getting to know all of her new teammates! She is really excited for the warm weather and being so close to the ocean!

Lexi comes from Orange Park High School right across the bridge. In her senior season, Pacheco earned 370 digs, 95 kills, 30 aces, and 17 assists. She earned (2) 2023-24 Player of the Match Awards, 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year and (2) 2023-24 All County Honorable Mentions for Clay County. Lexi is also a member of the Athletic Leadership Council for Orange Park High School.

Coach Hinck shares, "Lexi's energy and communicative style, paired with her quickness and agileness around the court, immediately stood out to me. She brings a universal component to our team because she can and will play anywhere you decide to put her. Lex brings a fun energy to the game and it will be exciting to see that rhythm unfold this season on our team. She is a hungry player with a very good technical background!"

Lexi says, "She is excited to begin her volleyball career at FSCJ and to study towards a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. She has always dreamed of helping animals and looks forward to beginning her next chapter."

Tara Haffelfinger | 6'2 | So. | OPP | Harwood, MD | St. Mary's High School

Tara is a transfer coming down South from Coastal Carolina University where she was on their club volleyball program. During Tara's high school career, she played volleyball and basketball for all four years, including AAU Club Volleyball for 5 seasons. She was on the National Honors Society and a member of the Student Athlete Leadership Club at St. Mary's High School. During her freshman year and playing on the Chanticleer's Volleyball Team she also earned his spot on the 2023-24 Dean's List with a 3.52GPA.

"Tara brings a mature level to the game. She can attack with equal efficiency on both pins. She brings more height and depth to our roster that we are excited to see. Tara will add to the culture we are building here with FSCJ Volleyball and her work ethic will truly thrive at the junior college level."

Tara says, "She cannot wait to meet the team, new people and experience Jacksonville. She plans on studying radiography."

Ella is another overseas travel for us all the way from Gymnazium Federica Garciu Lorcu in Slovakia. Ella has played for the most successful volleyball team in Slovakia, SLáVIA EUBA BRATISLAVA (2016-current). In Slovakia's highest league, her team took 1^st Place in the 2023-24 Slovak Junior's Championship, 2022-23 Slovak Junior's Championship and the 2021-22 Slovak Junior's Championship. Jonášová has also played beach and looks forward to playing both coming to the states. During her high school career, she has been represented in the district and national championship at Gymnazium Federica Garciu Lorcu. She has also competed in swimming and equestrian while volunteering in Youth Summer Camps and Horse Camps for Children.

"Ella is talented and has encountered some big international volleyball experiences that will really showcase this season. She is another player that brings a molded blocking game to our roster with strong height. She has a great lateral speed and awareness that will bring more depth to our incoming middles. Her passionate spirit and eagerness in the game will flow really well with the incoming roster."

Ella says, "She is really grateful to be given this amazing opportunity to fulfill her dreams. From the first moment she heard about FSCJ and what our volleyball program stands for she did not have a hard time deciding which school to choose. She is excited to study physical therapy but also playing the sport she loves. She excited to get to know Head Coach Chelsea Hinck and her teammates to build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Carly comes to us from right down the road at Bishop Kenny High School where she played indoor and beach volleyball. Rivera in her high school career made it the 2023-24 Final Four, 2023-24 Beach Volleyball Final Four and 2022-23 Beach Volleyball Sweet Sixteen. She also played for WINKS Volleyball Club in the Jacksonville Region.

"Carly comes from an excellent high school program. She has a great work ethic tied to her athletic ability. She is a player that will come in and work hard that is versatile on the middle or pin. Carly is an eager player and I am excited to watch she will do at the next level,' says Coach Hinck.

Carly says, "She is most excited to come to FSCJ to continue playing volleyball and receive an education while meeting new people. Her plan is to study business."