NEW YORK — The Columbia volleyball program and Head Coach
Patric Santiago have announced the addition of four incoming first-year student-athletes ahead of the start of the 2024 season.
Two of the newest Lions,
Maria Happ and
Charlotte Gravlee, join Columbia from south Florida. Meanwhile,
Clara Yu hails from Maryland, and
Josie Zynczak is from North Carolina. The group is a very versatile one, playing multiple positions and playing for some prestigious volleyball clubs.
Happ is the younger sister of
Annabel Happ '24CC, who collected 84 assists in her final season as a Lion last year.
Maria Happ is a 6'3" middle blocker from St. Petersburg, Florida out of Shorecrest Preparatory School where she was the MVP of her varsity team her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. With her AAU Team, Happ was a National Champion and was named an AAU All-American in 2019. She was also invited to play on the Florida Region All-Star Team in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In the classroom, Happ was on the Headmaster's List every year of high school, part of National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta, all while being named an AP Scholar with honors.
Gravlee is a 6'0" middle blocker from Gainsville, Florida out of Gainesville High School where she had four varsity letters in volleyball and was a 2023 team captain. In addition, in 2022 and 2023 Gravlee was named to the Big School All-Area Team, and went on to win a District Championship in 2023. Gravlee also had the opportunity to compete at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 USAV National Championships. In the classroom, Gravlee was ranked the top of her class, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Zynczak is a 6'1" outside hitter from Apex, North Carolina out of Middle Creek High School where she was a 2023 state champion. In addition, Zynczak was named AVCA All-Region, an AVCA Third Team All-American, an SWAC All-Region, and SWAC All-Conference. She was also named to the AVCA Best and Brightest list. In the classroom, Zynczak was an AP Capstone Scholar, Summa Cum Laude, North Carolina Scholar with distinction, and a member of the National Art Honor Society. Outside of volleyball, she plays guitar and has an interest in the arts.
Yu is a 5'10" setter from Potomac, Maryland out of Georgetown Day School where she collected numerous accolades. She recorded 1,198 assists in three high school seasons, setting the single match record in the process with 44 in one game. In 2023, Yu was named Gatorade District of Columbia Player of the Year, and in both 2022 and 2023 she was named DCSAA All-State Volleyball Player of the Year and was a DCSAA All-State Volleyball Champion & Tournament MVP. She was a two-time Georgetown Day School MVAP, and three-time member of the Independent School League AA Division All-League Team. In the classroom, Yu received a National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation, and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).
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