BERKELEY – Four future Golden Bears are set to join the California volleyball program in the summer of 2021, ahead of the upcoming fall season.
 
The group is Cal head coach Sam Crosson's second signing class since taking over the program in December of 2018. Three of the four student-athletes hail from California, along with one from Switzerland.

Ellie Hamm (Merced, California/Merced HS), Annalea Maeder (Basel, Switzerland/Gymnasium Baumlihof), Ava Mehrten (Alamo, California/Carondelet HS) and Sarah Schrag (San Diego, California/The Bishop's School) combine to make the 2021 recruiting class.

"We are excited and looking forward to the addition of these four recruits to our Cal Volleyball program," Crosson said. "As a collective this group will enhance our strengths in the front row, passing and defensive execution and provide us with height, blocking ability and setting. Each of them possesses the qualities and personal characteristics that we look for with all of our incoming players. Their character, academic dedication and desire to continually strive for excellence make them a great fit for our program and university. We can't wait for them to start their journey with us and the program."
 
Ellie Hamm
Merced, California | Merced HS
Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6'4"
Club: NorCal



Central California Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a junior … First Team All-League as a junior … Central California Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore … First Team All-League as a sophomore … Team finished second in the Central California Conference junior year and advanced to second round of the playoffs … Averaged 15 kills per match as a junior … Collected career-high 34 kills in a match during junior season … Named to the 2019 USA Volleyball Junior National A1 Training Team … Competed at Nationals with Rage Volleyball Club in 2016, 2018.   

Daughter of Erin and Eric Hamm … Plans to major in business at Cal … Father, Eric, played water polo at Cal … Has four aunts and two uncles who attended Cal … Aunts Alicia Hansel, Jamie Tyrell, Cristen Fazal and uncle Jeff Tyrell all played water polo at Cal … Hobbies include scuba diving, swimming, reading and bullet journaling … High School Valedictorian … Also participated in track, swimming and water polo in high school.  

Crosson on Hamm …
"Ellie epitomizes the concept of hard work. She has shown solid improvement over the course of her club career as a middle blocker. She has a heavy arm, moves well laterally as a blocker and has the personal drive and intangibles to be a very good middle for our program. Ellie is a student of the game and her desire for improvement will give her a great opportunity to make an impact on our program moving forward."
 
 
Annalea Maeder
Basel, Switzerland | Gymnasium Baumlihof
Position: Setter
Height: 6' 1"
Club: Sm'Aesch Pfeffingen



2019 U19 Switzerland Most Valuable Player … 2020 Supercup Most Valuable Player … 2020-21 Switzerland Youngster of the Year … Vice Swiss Champion NLA 2019 … Vice Cup Winner 2019 … Vice Supercup Winner 2018-19 … Swiss U19 Champion 2019 … Supercup Winner 2020 … Swiss U16 WEVZA 2017 Third-Place … Swiss National Team U17 European Championship Qualification 2018 … Swiss National Team U17 WEVZA 2018 … Swiss Women's National Team 2020.

Daughter of Stephanie and Urlich Maeder … Plans to major in microbial biology at Cal … Hobbies include baking.

Crosson on Maeder …
"Annalea comes to Cal with a tremendous amount of high-level experience at the setter position. Her decision making, tempo and location, along with her floor leadership give her the tools required to be a great setter.  She sees the game very well, understands game management and moves effectively and efficiently to set various locations on the court with tempo and range"
 

Ava Mehrten
Alamo, California | Carondelet HS
Position: Opposite
Height: 6' 1"
Club: NorCal



Four-year letter winner at Carondelet HS … Second Team All-League sophomore year … Part of Carondelet team in 2019 with most wins since 2004 … 2018 Division II state semifinalist … 2019 Division I state qualifier … Tallied 522 kills and 145 blocks in first three seasons … 2018 Prep Volleyball sophomore 79 special mention … Back-to-back NCVA Champions 2018-19.

Daughter of Caroline and Will Mehrten … Plans to major in business at Cal … Grandpa played football at Washington State … Hobbies include listening to music, working out, organizing and interior design.
Crosson on Mehrten …

"Ava is a point scoring left handed opposite. She has shown tremendous growth over the last few club seasons and we are excited about her future with our program. She moves well on the court, has the tools to become a tenacious blocker and is capable of hitting fast sets to the antennas. A tremendous teammate and competitor, Ava will compete for playing time as an opposite next season."


Sarah Schrag
San Diego, California | The Bishop's School
Position: Libero  
Height: 5' 9"
Club: Coast Volleyball



Four-year letter winner … 2020-21, 2019, 2017 CIF Coastal League Champion … 2020 Team Captain … Sand Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team … 2019 CIF San Diego Open Division Third-place … 2018 CIF San Diego Open Division Third-place … 2017 CIF San Diego Division I Champion … 2020 First-place SCVA … 2020 Bronze medalist Triple Crown National Invitation Tournament … 2020 Under Armour All-America Watch List … 2019 16U USAV Girls Junior National Championships Fifth-place … 2018 SCVA First-place … 2018 15U USAV Girls Junior National Championships Top 20 … 2017 SCVA Second-place … 2017 14U USAV Girls Junior National Championships Top 15.

Daughter of Linda and Dean Schrag … Plans to major in psychology at Cal … Father, Dean, was on ski racing team and played golf at Colorado College … Mother, Linda, was on racquetball team at Texas A&M … Grandpa played football at Michigan State … Hobbies hiking, pickleball, wake surfing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, swimming and puzzles.  

Crosson on Schrag …
"Sarah is a talented libero who excels in both serve receive and defense. She has a great court presence, sees the game well and is an outstanding teammate to play with. Her ball control, ability to make defensive plays and her competitive spirit will give her a great opportunity to compete and earn playing time next season."

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