Meet the 2019 San José State volleyball freshmen
As our freshmen class begins making their way to San José State, we would like to introduce them to Spartan Nation.
Taumafa Tuinauvai
5-10, Outside Hitter
Union City, Calif./James Logan HS
Taumafa is a three-year varsity team member at James Logan High School. She was the 2018-19 Female Athlete of the Year at the school. Taumafa was the 2018 Mission Valley Athletic League Most Valuable Player, a first All-MVAL selection her junior and senior seasons and a second team All-MVAL honoree her sophomore year. Taumafa was a 2018 Cal-High Sports second team All-State honoree. Her team won the 2017 and 2018 CIF Division I NorCal championship and was the 2017 CIF Division I state runner-up. She played club the past two years at Xceleration Volleyball Club, and her team has qualified for nationals both years.
Why I chose to go to San José State
"I chose to attend San José State because it is close to home, and I love the Bay Area. Once I met the team and was introduced to the volleyball program, I grew more and more attached to the team. They were very welcoming and were not shy to open up to me & made me feel comfortable. Not only that, the campus is beautiful, and, since it is in downtown, there's more to do even outside of school. The overall environment & presentation of SJSU convinced me to want to become a Spartan."
Makayla Lewis
6-0, Outside Hitter
Fresno, Calif./Central HS
Makayla was a four-time first team All-Tri-River Athletic Conference honoree and the 2017 and 2018 TRAC Co-Player of the Year. She was named to the 2018 Cal-High Sports All-State team and was a second team honoree in 2017. Her senior team fell to Buchanan in the 2018 CIF Central Section championship match but got revenge in at the CIF Northern California Regional Open Division final with a 3-0 win to claim the title. Central fell to Mater Dei in the 2018 championship match. The 2017 Central team won the CIF Central Section crown. She was nominated for the 2018 Under Armour All-America Volleyball team after leading the Grizzlies with 462 kills and had 1,889 career kills. Makayla plays for Rage Volleyball Club.
Why I chose to go to San José State
"I chose San José State because I fell in love with the atmosphere and had great connection with the whole team and the coaching staff. I really loved how great the program was and how much it is growing."
Drae Fresenius
5-9, Setter
Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS
Drae is a three-time first team All-South Coast League honoree and played in the Orange County All-Star game in June. Her senior team finished the season 27-7 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division II. She was recently chosen as the 2018-19 Dana Point Times' Girls Athlete of the Year. Drae plays for Laguna Beach Volleyball Club.
Drae was also an accomplished tennis player in high school. She helped the Dolphins win the 20th consecutive league title and were runners-up at the CIF-SS Finals. Drae won the league doubles title with teammate Courtney Swift and advanced to the round of 16 at the CIF-SS Sectionals.
Why I chose to go to San José State
"I think the coaching staff is amazing, the campus is beautiful, and the girls on the team are super nice and funny."
Yazmin Pitpit
6-2, Middle Blocker
San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch HS
Yazmin played for Scripps Ranch High School and for the Wave Volleyball Club. She recently played at the High School Sports Association Volleyball All-Star game
Why I chose to go to San José State
"San José State felt like home once I got on campus. I knew that SJSU could get me a great education while creating a second family with the volleyball team."