BERKELEY - California volleyball announced the addition of 6-foot setter Maria Știrbu to its 2025 squad Monday. The signing marks another strong addition to an incoming freshman class that already includes defensive specialist Francesca Popescu, outside hitter Arissa Carbonara and opposite Annemarie O'Gara.
 
Știrbu, a member of the Romanian National Team, has played for professional teams CSM Bucurest and CSM Constata. Throughout her career, she has won five Romanian titles as well as a "Best Setter" nod after the 2023 Romanian Championship finals. As a junior player, Știrbu acted as team captain of the Romanian U20 and U18 national teams and has competed in the U20, U18 and U17 European Championships.
 
"Maria is a level-headed setter with a strong volleyball IQ that will benefit our team," Cal head coach Jen Malcom said. "(Assistant coach Andrew) Sato and Maria connected immediately and bonded over their love for the game. The experience that she has from playing at all different levels and for top coaches in Romania caught our attention and we knew that we had to bring her on board."
 
Știrbu intends to major in business at Cal.
 
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