University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Fisher Unveils Incoming Pitt Volleyball Class of 2021
11/11/2020 1:35:00 PM | Volleyball
Pitt Announces Fall 2021 Volleyball Commits
PITTSBURGH – The three-time defending ACC champion University of Pittsburgh volleyball team will add four incoming student-athletes to is fall 2021 roster, head coach Dan Fisher announced Wednesday.
"We believe we have put together one of our best recruiting classes yet," Fisher said. "All of these players were highly recruited by other top programs and come from some of the best clubs in the country. As our program has grown over the last few years, so has the interest from top recruits, and this class demonstrates that. We're bringing in four high-character young women who will add competition to our gym, as well as depth to multiple positions."
Setter Rachel Fairbanks, middle blocker Makayla Jackson, libero Emmy Klika and right side hitter Eliana Posada will join the Panthers' roster in the fall of 2021.
Rachel Fairbanks | Setter | Tustin, Calif. | Foothill HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Under Armour Second Team All-American … Named to the All-Region 9 Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) … PrepVolleyball Class of 2021 Top 150 … Two-time JVA Ultra Ankle All-National Team … 2019 Crestview League Most Valuable Player … Two-time captain for club and current captain of Foothill HS team … Three-time Crestview League First Team … Three-time Crestview League Champion … 2019 Division I All CIF Team … 2019 All Orange County First Team … 2018 All Orange County Second Team … 2018 CIF State Division I Regional Finalist … Senior season delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic … Played for Tstreet Volleyball Club out of Irvine, Calif. … Team named 2019 USA Volleyball Club Team of the Year … 2020 season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic … 2019 PrepVolleyball All-America First Team … 2019 USA Volleyball GJNC 16 Open National Champion.
PERSONAL
Born July 5, 2003 … Daughter of Stephanie and Bret Fairbanks … Has three older sisters: Megan, Katie and Jessie … Mother, Stephanie, played soccer at BYU … Four-year member of the Principal's High Honor Roll … Four-time Scholar-Athlete.
FAIRBANKS ON PITT
"Coming from California, I wanted to have a different experience at a larger school that is out of state with amazing volleyball and amazing academics, and Pitt has everything. On top of this, Pitt has wonderful coaches and teammates with a one-of-a-kind team culture that provides as a home away from home."
FISHER ON FAIRBANKS
"We believe Rachel is one of the top setters in the 2021 class. She has been successful at the highest levels of club, winning multiple titles and national championships. She has a foundation of skill that will allow her to compete right away for playing time. In addition to her great skill, she has great poise on the court and makes plays when it matters most."
Makayla Jackson | Middle Blocker | Plum, Pa. | Plum Senior HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Under Armour Third Team All-American … Named to the All-Region 2 Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) … Named to 2020 Top Watch List by PrepVolleyball … Two-time Under Armor All-American Team (2019, 2020) … Varsity Captain at Plum Senior HS as a junior and senior … First Team Hitter in the Big 56 … 2020 First Team Section 3A All-Star … Named a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week (Oct. 2020) … Competed for Revolution VBC in Pittsburgh.
PERSONAL
Born Aug. 20, 2003 … Daughter of Jennifer Cvetic … Member of the National Honors Society … Named a Scholar-Athlete by Plum Senior HS.
JACKSON ON PITT
"From an academic standpoint, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the top-ranked schools for education. From an athletic standpoint, the level of play at Pitt is very competitive."
FISHER ON JACKSON
"Makayla is a local player who has impressed us with her athletic ability and her arm speed. She can play in the middle or on the right side and is currently touching around 10-foot-4, and we believe her best years are in front of her. How quickly she gets playing time will be directly correlate with how fast she adapts to this level of play."
Emmy Klika | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Novelty, Ohio | Gilmour Academy
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Ranked 51st nationally on the PrepVolleyball Class of 2021 Top 150 … Ranked as the No. 8 Libero in the class by PrepVolleyball … Played for Academy Volleyball Cleveland … Team was a two-time qualifier for the Open Division at USAV Nationals … Placed 11th at USAV Nationals her 16s year … Holds school records for season digs and career digs at Gilmour Academy … Two-time All-District First Team … Two-time District Champions … 2019 Conference Defensive MVP … 2019 Regional Champions and State Final Four Appearance.
PERSONAL
Born March 16, 2003 … Daughter of Alison and Kevin Klika … Has a younger sister, Laney … Varsity captain of both volleyball and softball in high school … Broke records for season batting average and season on base percentage at her high school … Ranked in the top 10 percent of her class every year of high school, earning the Head of School Award … Member of the Cum Laude Society and National Honors Society … Earned Highest Honors every year of high school … Both her parents played sports at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.
KLIKA ON PITT
"I love the urban setting, and the city of Pittsburgh is amazing. There is so much to do. I also love the
volleyball program because the culture is great, it is a successful program, and I can tell that the coaches
are going to better me both as a player and as a person."
FISHER ON KLIKA
"Emmy is one of the best liberos in the 2021 class and is getting better. She is confident on the ball in serve receive, can dig with control and is athletic. She impressed us with her ability to play at a high level over a long period of time. We expect her to compete for playing time right away."
Eliana Posada | Right Side | Houston, Texas | Obra D. Tompkins HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
2020 MaxPreps and AVCA Preseason All-America … 2019 PrepVolleyball Pre-season All-America … Played for Houston Juniors Volleyball Club … 2019 All-District First Team … 2017 Honorable Mention All-District.
PERSONAL
Born Dec. 27, 2002 … Daughter of Libby and Miguel Posada … Has three siblings: Roe, Teo and Tito … Hobbies include cooking, spending time outdoors, repurposing and sustainability … Three-time Academic All-District.
POSADA ON PITT
"It was exciting to hear Coach Fisher's vision for Pitt volleyball and dream of myself being a part of that success. The opportunity to be a student-athlete at Pitt will challenge me to be the best academically, athletically and in my everyday life. I love their belief in team culture and personal development."
FISHER ON POSADA
"Eliana is a powerful athlete with the ability to be a big force at the net. She is a lefty who hits hard and is ready to go as a blocker right away. The key for her getting playing time early will be how well she does with out-of-system attacking. We feel good about the type of athlete and person she is, joining our program. We believe she will thrive in our gym environment."
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"We believe we have put together one of our best recruiting classes yet," Fisher said. "All of these players were highly recruited by other top programs and come from some of the best clubs in the country. As our program has grown over the last few years, so has the interest from top recruits, and this class demonstrates that. We're bringing in four high-character young women who will add competition to our gym, as well as depth to multiple positions."
Setter Rachel Fairbanks, middle blocker Makayla Jackson, libero Emmy Klika and right side hitter Eliana Posada will join the Panthers' roster in the fall of 2021.
Rachel Fairbanks | Setter | Tustin, Calif. | Foothill HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Under Armour Second Team All-American … Named to the All-Region 9 Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) … PrepVolleyball Class of 2021 Top 150 … Two-time JVA Ultra Ankle All-National Team … 2019 Crestview League Most Valuable Player … Two-time captain for club and current captain of Foothill HS team … Three-time Crestview League First Team … Three-time Crestview League Champion … 2019 Division I All CIF Team … 2019 All Orange County First Team … 2018 All Orange County Second Team … 2018 CIF State Division I Regional Finalist … Senior season delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic … Played for Tstreet Volleyball Club out of Irvine, Calif. … Team named 2019 USA Volleyball Club Team of the Year … 2020 season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic … 2019 PrepVolleyball All-America First Team … 2019 USA Volleyball GJNC 16 Open National Champion.
PERSONAL
Born July 5, 2003 … Daughter of Stephanie and Bret Fairbanks … Has three older sisters: Megan, Katie and Jessie … Mother, Stephanie, played soccer at BYU … Four-year member of the Principal's High Honor Roll … Four-time Scholar-Athlete.
FAIRBANKS ON PITT
"Coming from California, I wanted to have a different experience at a larger school that is out of state with amazing volleyball and amazing academics, and Pitt has everything. On top of this, Pitt has wonderful coaches and teammates with a one-of-a-kind team culture that provides as a home away from home."
FISHER ON FAIRBANKS
"We believe Rachel is one of the top setters in the 2021 class. She has been successful at the highest levels of club, winning multiple titles and national championships. She has a foundation of skill that will allow her to compete right away for playing time. In addition to her great skill, she has great poise on the court and makes plays when it matters most."
Makayla Jackson | Middle Blocker | Plum, Pa. | Plum Senior HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Under Armour Third Team All-American … Named to the All-Region 2 Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) … Named to 2020 Top Watch List by PrepVolleyball … Two-time Under Armor All-American Team (2019, 2020) … Varsity Captain at Plum Senior HS as a junior and senior … First Team Hitter in the Big 56 … 2020 First Team Section 3A All-Star … Named a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week (Oct. 2020) … Competed for Revolution VBC in Pittsburgh.
PERSONAL
Born Aug. 20, 2003 … Daughter of Jennifer Cvetic … Member of the National Honors Society … Named a Scholar-Athlete by Plum Senior HS.
JACKSON ON PITT
"From an academic standpoint, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the top-ranked schools for education. From an athletic standpoint, the level of play at Pitt is very competitive."
FISHER ON JACKSON
"Makayla is a local player who has impressed us with her athletic ability and her arm speed. She can play in the middle or on the right side and is currently touching around 10-foot-4, and we believe her best years are in front of her. How quickly she gets playing time will be directly correlate with how fast she adapts to this level of play."
Emmy Klika | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Novelty, Ohio | Gilmour Academy
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Ranked 51st nationally on the PrepVolleyball Class of 2021 Top 150 … Ranked as the No. 8 Libero in the class by PrepVolleyball … Played for Academy Volleyball Cleveland … Team was a two-time qualifier for the Open Division at USAV Nationals … Placed 11th at USAV Nationals her 16s year … Holds school records for season digs and career digs at Gilmour Academy … Two-time All-District First Team … Two-time District Champions … 2019 Conference Defensive MVP … 2019 Regional Champions and State Final Four Appearance.
PERSONAL
Born March 16, 2003 … Daughter of Alison and Kevin Klika … Has a younger sister, Laney … Varsity captain of both volleyball and softball in high school … Broke records for season batting average and season on base percentage at her high school … Ranked in the top 10 percent of her class every year of high school, earning the Head of School Award … Member of the Cum Laude Society and National Honors Society … Earned Highest Honors every year of high school … Both her parents played sports at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.
KLIKA ON PITT
"I love the urban setting, and the city of Pittsburgh is amazing. There is so much to do. I also love the
volleyball program because the culture is great, it is a successful program, and I can tell that the coaches
are going to better me both as a player and as a person."
FISHER ON KLIKA
"Emmy is one of the best liberos in the 2021 class and is getting better. She is confident on the ball in serve receive, can dig with control and is athletic. She impressed us with her ability to play at a high level over a long period of time. We expect her to compete for playing time right away."
Eliana Posada | Right Side | Houston, Texas | Obra D. Tompkins HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
2020 MaxPreps and AVCA Preseason All-America … 2019 PrepVolleyball Pre-season All-America … Played for Houston Juniors Volleyball Club … 2019 All-District First Team … 2017 Honorable Mention All-District.
PERSONAL
Born Dec. 27, 2002 … Daughter of Libby and Miguel Posada … Has three siblings: Roe, Teo and Tito … Hobbies include cooking, spending time outdoors, repurposing and sustainability … Three-time Academic All-District.
POSADA ON PITT
"It was exciting to hear Coach Fisher's vision for Pitt volleyball and dream of myself being a part of that success. The opportunity to be a student-athlete at Pitt will challenge me to be the best academically, athletically and in my everyday life. I love their belief in team culture and personal development."
FISHER ON POSADA
"Eliana is a powerful athlete with the ability to be a big force at the net. She is a lefty who hits hard and is ready to go as a blocker right away. The key for her getting playing time early will be how well she does with out-of-system attacking. We feel good about the type of athlete and person she is, joining our program. We believe she will thrive in our gym environment."
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