ROCK HILL, SC--Winthrop head volleyball coach Julie Torbett announced today that she has signed five additional players for the 2012 season bringing to nine the number of new players who will join next year's roster. 

The latest signees include Julia Ferreira-Alves, Jessica Codato, Sarah Rosa, Diara Lewis and Ashley Arnold.  they will join Monica Cardona, Amy Zimmer, Rachel Lenz and Brittany Rampersad who inked national letters with the Eagles during the November signing period.

“We are very excited about this group of players, Torbett stated.  “We worked really hard to find players that would be able to come in and make an immediate impact and take our program to the next level.  This is a very large class, but they will mesh well with the returning players and provide a strong future.”

Ferreira-Alves is a 5-9 outside hitter from Farragut High School in Knoxville TN., where she was an All-District and All-State player.  She was also named District 4-AAA Defensive Player of the Year and Region 2 AAA- MVP in 2011.  Julia played for K-2 Volleyball club and also competed in the AAU Beach National Championships.

“Julia is a very good athlete and will fit in well with my defensive approach to the game.”, said Torbett.  “She will likely be utilized in the back row with the ability to step in as an outside hitter as she develops and adapts to the collegiate game.”

Codato is a transfer setter from Sao Paulo Brazil.  She led her teams in Brazil to First Place finishes in State Championships each year from 2007-2011 and won two National Championships in 2008 and 2009.  She was voted best setter in Sao Paolo for her 19 and under team.

According to Torbett, “We are so fortunate to add a setter that plays at the level of Jessica to our roster.  We want players that know how to make everyone around them better.”

From Itajuba Brazil, Rosa also played in State Championships from 2009-2011.  She was voted Best Player in the Regional Finals in Itajuba as an outside hitter.

“Sarah is a very good all-around volleyball player,” Torbett said.  “Her ball control is exceptional and with a little physical training I believe she will be a very effective player in our conference.”

Lewis comes from Columbia, SC where she was a standout player at Ridgeview High School. She is a 5-9 outside hitter that played on the USA Jr. National Team in 2009 and 2010 as well as the USAV High Performance A-2 Team in 2011.  She was voted MVP of her high school team in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and was Best Player on Offense in 2010 and 2011.  She played for Club MOTO this past season.

“Diara was one of the first players I began to recruit when I arrived at Winthrop.  We liked that she can play six rotations and feel she is a very gifted athlete.  Her drive to play at the next level will help her step in and contribute immediately.”, stated Torbett.  “We have needed a presence on the outside and we hope we have found the answer in Diara.”

A 6-0 middle hitter from Myrtle Beach, Arnold attended Socastee High School where she was a five- time varsity letter winner. She was awarded the Best Blocker in 2010 and 2011 as well as All-Conference and All-Region honors.  Arnold was a leader on her team serving as captain her junior and senior year and recording the most kills in 2011.  She played club for Grand Strand Juniors.  In addition to exceling at volleyball, Arnold was student body secretary and President of the History Club.

“I am thrilled Ashley chose Winthrop”, said Torbett.  “She brings the kind of work ethic that is necessary to succeed and she will have opportunities with such a young team to excel and prove herself on the court.”