University of Connecticut Athletics
Volleyball completes 2019 class
5/17/2019 12:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn.—The UConn women's volleyball team has completed their 2019 incoming class with the additions of four student-athletes. As announced by Head Coach Ellen Herman-Kimball the new additions are Aset Baker-Falealili, Mia Ruffolo, Jasmine Davis, and Meredith Pellegrino.
"We are extremely excited to complete our 2019 class! Not only will they all contribute to the program, but all of them are incredible people! Their personality along with their athleticism, and volleyball IQ will add to our culture as well as help us compete for a conference championship."
—Coach Herman-Kimball
Read more on our newest Huskies below!
NAME: Aset (Uh-set) Baker-Falealili (Fah-leh-ah-lee-lee)
HOMETOWN: Compton, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: St. Joseph
POSITION: Libero/Defensive Specialist
HEIGHT: 5-7
MAJOR: Physiology and Neurobiology
Before UConn: Two-year varsity letter in volleyball under Coach Lance Aoki at St. Joseph in Lakewood, Calif. She is also a two-time First Team All-League selection in 2017 and 2018. Her other accolades include; First Team All-Area (2018), 2018 League MVP, 2018 team captain, CIF Division 2 First Team (2018) and helped lead her team to become the 2018 League Champions. She was named a distinguished nominee in the Lakewood Hall of Fame in 2019. The Press Telegram in Long Beach featured her on numerous occasions.
She is the daughter of Derek Baker and Laveai Falealili.
Coach Herman-Kimball on Aset: "Aset is coming from southern California, a region filled with high caliber volleyball. She has a phenomenal volleyball mind and a great feel for the game. Her high IQ, along with her skill will most certainly add to our first contact, both defensively and offensively."
NAME: Mia Ruffolo
HOMETOWN: South Barrington, Ill.
HIGH SCHOOL: Barrington HS/Charleston HS
POSITION: Libero/Defensive Specialist
HEIGHT: 5-6
MAJOR: Undecided
Before UConn: Three-year letter under Coaches Michelle Jakubiowski and Justin Tomaska. While at Barrington, she was named to the All-Area and All-Conference teams. She also helped lead her team to become the Mid Suburban League Conference Champions. At Charleston she a varsity captain, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year (2015). In addition to these recognitions, she also set school records for most digs in a match and career digs. The Daily Herald, The Journal Gazette Times/Times Courier in Illinois, featured her.
She also played soccer and lettered twice in the sport. She was the varsity captain in 2016 and named to the All-Area Second Team in 2015.
Academically, a two-time scholar athlete.
She is the daughter of Aldo and Julie Ruffolo…has two brothers, A.J. and Luca.
Coach Herman-Kimball on Mia: "Mia loves the game and that certainly shows when she plays! She is an extremely hard worker and a supportive teammate! We are eager to see how she molds into a defensive player for us!"
NAME: Jasmine Davis
HOMETOWN: Redondo Beach, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Redondo Union
POSITION: Outside Hitter
HEIGHT: 6-1
MAJOR: Mathematics
Before UConn: Three-year letter in volleyball and basketball. She was named MVP of the junior varsity team her freshman year. The next year she was selected as Rookie of the Year on the varsity volleyball team, named sophomore MVP of the year, in addition to helping her team to bronze and gold finishes at the Junior Nationals (17 Rockstar Long Beach Mizuno | 18's Long Beach Mizuno). Her junior year she made the All-Tournament Team at the Durango Valley tourney, named most inspirational on the varsity team, two-time Dally Breeze Player of the Week, Social Prep Legends Girl's Athlete of the Week, All-Tournament Team at Power Classic , Bay League Champions, and Junior Girls MVP. To conclude her high school career, she was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Durango tourney, Co-MVP of the varsity team, two-time Dally Breeze Player of the Week, MVP of Power Classic, named to the CIF Social Prep Insider Watchlist, and 2018 High Honorable Mention All-American List from Prep Volleyball. The Dally Breeze and the Easy Reader in Redondo Beach featured her.
On the basketball court, she is a two-time Bay League Champion as well as a two-time MVP at Bay League. The All-CIF First Team selection was Co-Champs at Bay League, and Second Team All-CIF. She also helped lead her team to win CIF Division 2, CIF-Regional Division 2, and CIF-State Division 2 Championships.
Academically, she was a scholar athlete and on the honor roll for all four years.
She is the daughter of Peter and Tamala Davis…has one brother, Peter II.
Coach Herman-Kimball on Jasmine: "Getting a high caliber type player like Jasmine so late in the recruiting process is a huge win for our program! She has an extremely high ceiling along with a fierce competitive attitude that shows on the floor. We are excited about how her personality will transform, supported by her athleticism and skill on the outside."
NAME: Meredith Pellegrino
HOMETOWN: Norwalk, Conn.
HIGH SCHOOL/PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Brien McMahon/Rider University
POSITION: Outside Hitter
HEIGHT: 6-2
MAJOR: Psychology
Before UConn: A four-year letter under Coach Peter Georgiou at Brien McMahon in Norwalk. She was the captain of the team her junior and senior year in addition to being named an All-American by Prep Volleyball her senior season. At the 2016 Prep Volleyball/Las Vegas Showcase, she ranked in the top-6 outside hitters in the country. Her other high school accolades include; being an All-Area MVP, named to First Team All-State, First Team All-FCTAC. She was also received FCIAC Scholar Athlete award; high honors all four years, a Dean's List member, and member of the National Honor Society. She was featured by The Hour in Norwalk.
At Rider, she notched Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week on October 23rd. Her career totals: 111 sets played, 43 matches played, 217 kills, 1.95 kills per set, 39 digs, four solo blocks, 27 block assists, 31.0 total blocks, 234.5 points, and 2.11 points per set through a pair of seasons.
She is the daughter of Tony and Stacey Pellegrino…has one brother, John and one sister, Jenna.
Coach Herman-Kimball on Meredith: "We are lucky to add Meredith to our roster! Coming from Rider University and being one of their top scorers from pin, will not only add depth in our pin attackers, but also raise the competitive nature in our gym! We are also thrilled to add a Connecticut native to our program!"
