Nov. 19, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina sand volleyball program signed Chloe Cook, Caroline Goerke and Julia Mannisto to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Moritz Moritz announced Tuesday.
Cook, Goerke and Mannisto are key pieces to the Gamecocks’ first-ever signing class and will be set to make an impact during the 2015 season.
“We are very excited to have Julia, Chloe, and Caroline joining the Gamecock Sand Volleyball Family,” Moritz said. “We expect that all of them will be tremendous assets to our program and to the university. They will come in with significant beach volleyball experience and will make an immediate impact as we continue to build a solid foundation for our program.”
CLASS OF 2014 SOUTH CAROLINA SAND VOLLEYBALL SIGNEES
Chloe Cook – Marietta, Ga./Walton HS – 692 South Beach Club Team
Parents: Chris and Jackie Cook
All-Area 2010-11
Prep Volleyball Top Freshman Honorable Mention
Helped lead Walton High School to three-straight Georgia High School Association state titles (2010-12)
Moritz on Cook: “Chloe just recently made the transition to beach volleyball full time, and it is a move that we believe is paying huge dividends already as she continues to grow and evolve as a beach player. She has always been physical and athletic with solid ball control and will add a consistent, steady and very competitive demeanor to the sand.”
Caroline Goerke – Marietta, Ga./Walton HS – 692 South Beach Club Team
Parents: David and Kendra Goerke
Began playing indoor at nationally renowned A5 Volleyball, leading team to several national qualifying berths
Helped guide Walton High School to three-consecutive Georgia High School Association state titles (2010-12)
Won several regional beach tournaments last summer, including The Rox Invitational and the Triple Crown Beach Championship
Played last summer on the USA Beach Junior Olympic Team at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.
Moritz on Goerke: “Caroline is a strong, physical player that can affect a match with her blocking ability and has had a lot of success competing at a very high level. She has a great work ethic and will work to push everyone on the sand with her competitiveness and confidence.”
Julia Mannisto – Thousand Oaks, Calif./Westlake HS – Los Angeles Volleyball Academy (Indoor)/Elite Beach Volleyball/Ventura County Volleyball Club
Parents: Jeffrey and Gretchen Mannisto
USA Volleyball Beach A1 National Training Team
Fourth place in the 2013 USA High Performance Beach Championships
Medaled in the 2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games in beach volleyball
California Beach Volleyball Association AAA rating
Top rated player on the California Beach Volleyball Association U18 tour
Named Westlake High School MVP as a sophomore and junior
First-team All-County and first-team All-Marmonte League selection in 2012 after setting school single-season record for kills (485)
Served as team captain for club team and high school team in 2012
First-team All-County and first-team All-Marmonte League selection in 2011 after posting 386 kills and 55 aces
Garnered MLK Speakeasy All-Tournament Team honors in both 2011 and 2012
Moritz on Mannisto: “Julia is playing and training with some of the very best in Southern California currently and is continuing to develop into a top level beach volleyball player. She is a dynamic athlete that has a great feel for the game as well as constantly working to be a great partner, which is a crucial aspect of being successful as a player.”
