By: Sam Boender
GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Volleyball Head Coach
Jamie Magalei signed five fresh faces for the Orediggers as part of her fall of 2023 incoming class.
The new additions include
Renata Bolado Corona,
Tatum Brandt,
Kaitlyn Mayo,
Presley Powell, and
Naomi Romslo. A position breakdown shows a focus on offense, specifically on the pins, with two outside hitters along with a middle blocker/right side, setter, and defensive specialist/libero. Geographically, Magalei went heavy on the Lone Star State with four of the five hailing from Texas, and one other addition from the great white north of Minnesota. All but one of the Orediggers will arrive in Golden this fall as true freshmen with one transfer in the group
Below is a snapshot of the newest Orediggers.
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Earned four varsity letters an outside hitter and defensive specialist at Dulles High School in Sugar Land, Texas … Totaled 1,110 kills and 940 digs during her prep career … Earned First-Team All-District in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 … Named Dulles High School Most Valuable Player in 2021 … Played club volleyball for Houston Skyline … Academiclly earned all-district distinction in 2020, 2021, and 2022 … Also claimed Dulles High School Academic Excellence in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
COACH'S COMMENT: "Renata is a talented player with great vision and feel for the game. Her hitting choices offensively, and reading choices defensively are going to help her transition into the college game."
Tatum Brandt – 5-7 – Defensive Specialist/Libero
Amarillo, Texas – Randall HS – Xtreme 18-1 National
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Two-time varsity letter winner as a libero for the Randall High School volleyball team in Amarillo, Texas … For her career, racked up 694 digs, with 81 assists, and 74 aces while posting a 2.44 passing percentage … Named District 4-4A Defensive Player of the Year … Also claimed TGCA 4A All-State distinction in 2022 along with Second-Team All-State from the Texas Sports Writers' Association … Played club volleyball for Xtreme 18-1 National … Was a TGCA 4A Academic All-State selection … Plans to major in biochemistry at Mines.
COACH'S COMMENT: "Tatum is going to bring strong energy to our defensive side. She is extremely coachable, an excellent teammate, and is ready to compete this fall."
Kaitlyn Mayo – 5-10 – Outside Hitter
Lubbock, Texas – Lubbock-Cooper HS – Lubbock Christian University
LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (2021-22): Started her collegiate career at Lubbock Christian in Texas … As a true freshman for the Lady Chaps, appeared in all 28 matches and started 23 resulting in 132 kills on .111 hitting with 73 digs, 50 blocks, and seven assists … Played in 20 sets across 12 matches a sophomore in 2022 … Finished the year touting 45 kills on .198 hitting with six digs and four blocks … Also earned Lone Star Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll status in the springs of 2021 and 2022.
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Attended Lubbock-Cooper High School in Texas and earned three varsity letters as an outside hitter and right side on the volleyball team … Led her squad with 26 blocks while ranking second with 217 kills … Added 63 digs as well … Two-time, First-Team All-District player in 2020 and 2021 … Earned Second-Team All-District in 2019 … Brought home three First-Team All-City awards in 2019, 2020, and 2021 … Was a Hub City Preps All-City First-Team selection … Her work in the classroom led to Academic All-District in 2019, 2020, and 2021 … Graduated in the Top-10 percentile … plans to focus on biology at Mines.
COACH'S COMMENT: "We are excited to have Kaitlyn join our roster this fall. She is bringing collegiate experience and a competitive, get-it-done mentality."
Presley Powell – 5-11 – Setter
Katy, Texas – Tompkins HS – Houston Skyline Juniors
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Played four years at setter for the volleyball team on the way to four varsity letters at Obra D. Tompkins High School in Texas … Finished her prep career as the program's all-time leader with more than 2,000 assists … Led her squad to a runner-up finish in the 2022 UIL Class 6A State Championships … Earned 2022 First-Team All-District in 19-6A and was also named 2022 Tompkins Defensive MVP … Was put on the 2022 AVCA All-America watch list … Brought home Second-Team All-District in 2019 and 2021 as well … Played club volleyball for Houston Skyline Juniors and won the 2021 Skyline Award … Her work in the classroom secured Academic All-District in 19-6A in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 … She also won Second-Team Academic All-State in 2022 and is a member of the National Honor Society … Plans to major in civil engineering at Mines.
COACH'S COMMENT: "Presley is a highly skilled setter that understands the game and how to run a successful offense. She's a team player and we are looking forward to seeing what kind of mark she will make on Mines volleyball."
Naomi Romslo – 6-0 – Middle Blocker/Right Side
Inver Grove Heights, Minn. – Simley HS – Mizuno Northern Lights
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Played varsity volleyball for four years and started three years at Simley High School in Minnesota … Earned four varsity letters … As a sophomore, knocked down 142 kills while hitting .480 in the middle … Junior season featured 304 kills on a .431 kills percentage … In her senior season, racked up 257 kills with 158 digs while posting a 96-percent serve percentage and a .397 kill percentage on the outside … Was a three-time Metro East All-Conference Player in 2020, 2021, and 2022 including first-team honors in 2022 … Voted volleyball team MVP in 2021 and 2022 … Earned Star Tribune Metro Athlete of the week on two occasions … Recognized as best server in her junior and senior seasons … Served as team captain during her senior campaign while also winning Simley High School Heart for the Game honors … Played club volleyball for Mizuno Northern Lights and led her team to bronze at the AAU Nationals 16 Premier … Classroom flexes include 2022 AAU Volleyball Academic All-America status along with Minnesota State High School Volleyball Coaches Association Academic All-State distinction … Brought home the President's Award for Academic Excellence while standing on the high honor roll for three straight years … Added four academic letters to her resume as well … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
COACH'S COMMENT: "Naomi is a dynamic and very athletic hitter. Her ability to run multiple plays in different positions and terminate the ball is a testament to that. Naomi will be an exciting player to watch develop."
Fans can keep up with Mines volleyball on Twitter at @MinesVolleyball and Instagram at @mines_volleyball. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.
