Arizona Volleyball Announces 2020 Signing Class

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona volleyball has signed six players on National Signing Day, the team announced on Thursday.

Madison Ellman, a 5-8 libero from Chanhassen, Minnesota, Ava Francis, a 6-0 outside hitter from Plain City, Ohio, Alayna Johnson, a 6-3 middle blocker from Worthington, Ohio, Ava Tortorello, a 5-8 setter from Chicago, Illinois, Haven Wray, a 5-6 libero from Peoria, Arizona, and Jennifer Wroblicky, a 6-7 middle blocker from Harbor City, California, signed to play their collegiate careers at Arizona.

"This class fills some immediate needs for us," said head coach Dave Rubio. "We needed some depth in the middle, and this will help immediately. It gives us some size with Jennifer Wroblicky and some athleticism with Alayna Johnson. We needed another setter, so Ava Tortorello will be able to come help us with the setting duties. It meets the needs that we have for the following year and for the future."
 

Madison Ellman
5-8 | L/DS | Chanhassen, Minn. | Chanhassen H.S.

• A three-time all-conference performer
• Named to Prep Volleyball's "Defensive Dandies

Madison says: "I chose Arizona because it was a place where I could thrive as a person and an athlete. I'm so excited to get in the gym and get to work!"

Coach Rubio says: "Madison comes to us through a former player, Laura Larson, who was one of the best liberos we've ever had here. Her club coach compared her very favorably to Laura not only from the physical part of the game, but the mental and emotional parts as well. We're excited to bring in someone who has Laura's influence in her daily training, so we think she will hit the ground running when she gets here."
 

Ava Francis
6-0 | OH | Plain City, Ohio | Jonathan Alder H.S.

• Four-year varsity starter
• Three-time first-team all-Central Buckeye Conference
• Two-time Central Buckeye Conference Player of the Year
• Ohio Central District Player of the Year
• Two-time first-team all-Ohioan
• Prep Volleyball Phenom List
• Prep Volleyball Top 100 Senior Aces
• AVCA all-region team
• AVCA All-American honorable mention

Ava says: "I chose Arizona because I knew right away that the coaches were really special and that they truly cared about me as a player and a person. I also loved the family atmosphere and how nice all the players were. I knew that Arizona was where I was meant to be after the first time I visited campus. Not to mention I love the amazing weather! I am so excited to be a part of the Wildcat volleyball family and play against some of the toughest teams in the country!"

Coach Rubio says: "She's another in the long line of really good outside hitters in this program. She's playing in the Final Four in the state of Ohio. She's a pure Six; she's been playing in the back row and the front row for many years, since as long as she's been playing volleyball. We're expecting her to come in and give us some physicality on the pins.
 

Alayna Johnson
6-3 | MB | Worthington, Ohio | Thomas Worthington H.S.

• A two-time all-OCC performer
• Named Team MVP and team captain
• Named Best Offensive Player on both her varsity and freshman teams
• A four-time Scholar Athlete

Alayna says: "I chose to play at Arizona because the coaches value honesty and hard work, and they are dedicated to the program and the players. I can't wait to be able to join the rest of the wildcats in Arizona and to be able to have a new volleyball family that I know will have my back."

Coach Rubio says: "Alayna is long and athletic. She is somewhat new to the game at the higher levels, and we're hoping that the club season is able to take place this year to give her more experience at the higher levels. She is a terrific athlete, her father played basketball at Ohio State. She gives us size and athleticism and we're excited to see what she can do here."
 

Ava Tortorello
5-8 | S/DS | Chicago, Ill. | Latin School of Chicago

• Ranked as the No. 115 recruit in the country by Prep Volleyball
• An AVCA All-America honorable mention in 2020
• Named to the AVCA Phenom List in 2018 and 2020
• A member of the USAHP Continental Team and the USAHP Holiday Camp
• Three-time first-team all-conference performer
• Finished third in the conference in assists

Ava says: "I am beyond excited to continue my volleyball and academic career at the University of Arizona. I chose Arizona because of its positive environment and high-level volleyball. I am super pumped to be able to work with the amazing coaching staff, as well as my new teammates. Bear Down!"

Coach Rubio says: "We're very excited about Ava and think she has a bright future in this program. She will come in next year and fill an immediate need for us as an additional setter in the program before transitioning to become a libero."
 

Haven Wray
5-6 | L/DS | Peoria, Ariz. | Sunrise Mountain H.S.

• Named the Defensive Player of the Year in her district, region and conference
• First-team libero in her district and region and a second-team selection in the conference
• A member of the 2019 AAU All-Star All-Tournament Team
• Recipient of the 2019 Taco Bell Student Athlete Award

Haven says: "I chose Arizona because of the great coaching and the family-like atmosphere throughout the whole program. I cannot wait to play with the team and compete in the Pac-12!"

Coach Rubio says: "Haven is a libero from the state of Arizona. I've known about Haven since she was 12 years old when her club team played against my daughter's club team. I saw Haven and invited her to come to camp and she really impressed us. She's a terrific athlete and I'm excited about her and what she can bring to the team in that position."
 

Jennifer Wroblicky
6-7 | MB | Harbor City, Calif. | South Torrance H.S.

• USA Volleyball National Champion - 16U American Division - GOLD
• USA Volleyball National Champion - 15U USA Division - GOLD
• USA Volleyball National Champion - MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - 15U USA Division
• PrepVolleyball Top Soph79 Honorable Mention List
• PrepVolleyball Top Frosh59 Honorable Mention List
• Pioneer League Most Valuable Player, Volleyball 2019
• Pioneer League, first-team all-league, Volleyball  - 2107, 2018, 2019
• South Torrance High School Top Female Athlete - Fall Sport - 2019
• South Torrance High School Most Valuable Player, Volleyball- 2019
• South Torrance High School, Volleyball, Varsity Letter - 2017, 2018, 2109
• South Torrance High School, Volleyball, Most Improved Player, Varsity  - 2017

Jennifer says: "I chose University of Arizona because it had everything I wanted in a college: great academics and athletics, warm weather and palm trees, a beautiful and active campus with lots of school spirit, plenty of majors to choose from, and volleyball coaches that are amazing in their experience and knowledge, who will develop me into the best volleyball player I can be. I can't wait to start playing with my new Wildcat teammates!"

Coach Rubio says: "Jennifer comes from one of the top clubs in the country with Mizuno Long Beach. She is a highly functional middle; she could step into the program right now and be really, really good, really solid. It's nice to be able to bring someone in who I think will have the knowledge and aptitude to play immediately.