BERKELEY – California volleyball head coach Sam Crosson announced the addition of three athletes to the Bears' 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday, joining the three recruits announced during the November signing period.

Tara DeSa (Mililani, Hawai'i/Kamehameha), Lydia Grote (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) and Alexia Gruszczynski (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) join Kendall Jensen (Burbank, Calif./Village Christian), Katarina Pantovic (Vancouver, British Columbia/Lord Byng Secondary School) and Sam Taumoepeau (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel) as new additions to the Cal roster in the fall of 2020.

Jensen, Pantovic, Taumoepeau signing announcement. 

"We are very excited about the recent additions of Tara, Lydia, and Alexia to our program," Crosson said.  "All three of these young women are committed to excellence both on and off the court, have shown tremendous growth over the past year, and are looking forward to both the challenge and success of competing in the Pac-12 Conference. Each of them bring a different perspective and experience to our program at Cal and we look forward to these outstanding young women joining us for the 2020 season."
 
Tara DeSa
Mililani, Hawai'i | Kamehameha
Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist
Height: 5'5"
Club: Spike and Serve



Hawai'i 2019 Open Division State Champions … Named to 2019 State All-Tournament Team … 2019 Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) Champions … 2019 ILH First-Team selection … 2019 ScoringLive All-Hawaii First Team recognition … Hawai'i 2019 All-State No. 5 Player of the Year … 2019 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American … 2019 MaxPreps Second Team All-American … 2018-20 PrepVolleyball.com Watch List … 2018 AVCA Phenom List … 2017 PrepVolleyball.com 15's Club Volleyball Third Team All-American … Played on 15U National Team at 2017 Girls Junior National Championships … Selected to All-Tournament Team at 2017 Girls Junior National Championships … Member of Pookula Ambassadors Program 2017-20 … 2016-19 Academic Honor Roll … 2016-18 President's List.  

Daughter of Lisa and Rich DeSa … Has one sibling Ty (22) … Brother, Ty, played on 2010 U.S. Champion Hawai'i Little League World Series team … Father, Rich, played baseball at Cornell University … Grandpa, Richard, played professional baseball in Japan … Cousin, Joey, played baseball for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.  

Crosson on DeSa …
"Tara is a highly skilled libero. Her ability to read the game, react to the random contacts of offensive attackers in the back row, and create the feeling of desire and passion among her teammates makes her very valuable in the eyes of myself and the staff. Her ball control, knowledge of the game, and confidence in herself will help her compete for playing time immediately."
 
 
Lydia Grote
Burbank, Calif. | John Burroughs
Position: Middle Blocker/Opposite Hitter
Height: 6' 2"
Club: San Gabriel Elite



2019 All-Pacific League First Team … 2019 All-Redondo Union Tournament Team … 2018 Pacific league Champions … Led 2018 Pacific League in kills, hitting percentage and blocks … Three-year varsity player … 13^th-place at 2019 Nationals with SG Elite … Named 2018-19 SG Elite Most Improved Player … Named 2017-18 Most Improved Player at SG Elite … Prep Volleyball No. 84 Senior Ace.

Daughter of Laurie and Paul Grote … Has one sibling Marin (20) … Sister, Marin plays volleyball at the University of Washington.

Crosson on Grote …
"Lydia possesses a great combination of athleticism, skill set in various positions, and an on-court personality that expresses joy when she plays. She can attack from numerous locations across the front row, including different set tempos and locations and can block in all three positions. We are excited about what her future potential can be when she arrives."
 

Alexia Gruszczynski
San Clemente, Calif. | San Clemente
Position: Libero/Outside Hitter
Height: 5' 8"
Club: A4 Volleyball Club



2018 First Team All-League selection … Team Captain on five consecutive teams 2014-18 … 2018 Sea View League Champions … Selected to All-Tournament Team at 2017 nationals … Voted junior varsity MVP 2016 … Took third place in 2015 SCVA 14's … Finished Top 7 in 2018 Colorado Crossroads 17's … Earned Academic Achievement Award for honors algebra 2 trig 2017.  

Daughter of Sherri and Scott Gruszczynski … Has a twin brother Brodyn (17).

Crosson on Gruszczynski …
"Alexia is a tremendous athlete on the court, is laterally quick, has a tremendous ability to read/react on defense, and has a fast first step in her reactions. She plays the game with a relentless effort, desire, and joy when her team is successful.  She can score points from the service line and her technique and skill set in serve receive, defense, and second contacts are going to help her compete for playing time right away."

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