NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College volleyball program and first year head coach
Esai Velez-Perez welcome three newcomers to the Maroon & Gold program for the upcoming 2019 campaign. Two freshman,
Samantha Juran and
Julia Thomas, and sophomore transfer
Maile Powell are poised to aid the Gaels in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title defense.
SAMANTHA JURAN
A setter and defensive specialist, Juran comes to New Rochelle having played four years of varsity volleyball at St. Francis Prep. Hailing from Glendale, NY, Juran was named MVP of St. Francis Prep her junior and senior seasons. As a sophomore, she and her teammates won the CHSA division, became city champions and advanced to states.
Juran has played club volleyball at Sportime and over the past two seasons she and her teammates advanced to nationals.
In the classroom during high school, Juran was named to the Academic Honor Roll every quarter.
JULIA THOMAS
Thomas is a middle blocker who joins the Iona team having grown up in Exton, PA and played for her high school, Bishop Shannahan. Thomas brings a prestigious reputation to the Gaels having been an All-State, All-District and All-League. She was also a team captain. As a junior and senior she was a Pennsylvania State Finalist and she capped her high school career receiving the Coach's Award. Thomas played for East Coast Power Volleyball Club.
MAILE POWELL
Powell played her freshman season at Hawi'I at Hilo. She appeared in all 106 sets throughout the 2018 campaign. She was once named the Pacwest Freshman of the Week. As a setter, Powell was also prominent from the service line, leading the program with 32 aces. She had a season-best 22 assists against BIOLA and a season-best 12 digs against Hawi'I Pacific. Powell and Hawi'I at Hilo finished the season with a 21-7 record.
Prior to college, Powell attended Laguna Hills High School. She was a team captain and MVP for her high school program. Powell was a two-time First Team All-Blossom Valley Athletic League. She played club for A4 in Southern California and for Encore in Northern California. Her programs won the gold medal at the SCVA Junior National Qualifier-Open Championship, silver medal at JVA West Coast Cup and bronze medal at Omaha Northern Lights.
The Maroon & Gold open the season on Saturday, Aug. 31 against Rhode Island in West Point, NY.
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