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Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Luke Lu
Women’s Volleyball Announces Class of 2025
June 28, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton University Women's Volleyball Head Coach Sabrina King announced four talented newcomers as the program's class of 2025 Monday.
The Tigers will welcome Nicole Dankinova, Shelby Fulton, Mariah Haislip and Gracie Wood.
"I'm very excited about this class," said King. "2020 was going to be a building year for us, and this fall will be an even greater challenge with two new groups who have not competed at Princeton. This group brings a lot of high-level experience, regularly competing with and against the best players in the United States and internationally. I feel they will be mentally very ready for the college game and will push our current student-athletes to raise their game."
Nicole Dankinova (OH/RS)
Height: 6'3''
Hometown: Sofia, Bulgaria
High School: The American College of Sofia
Club Team: Slavia Sofia
Before Princeton: Second place in Bulgaria for girls U18 2018/2019…sixth place in European Championship 2020…third place in Balkan Championship 2019…third place in Bulgaria for girls U19 2019/2020…third place on European Championship 2017
Personal: Daughter of Nikolai Dankinov and Guergana Polezhanova-Dankinova…father is an ex-volleyball player who has played at the highest level in France and Portugal…loves reading crime novels (her favorite author is Michael Connelly) and watching crime documentaries…enjoys going out with friends to grab coffee and long walks…has practiced rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, dancing, horseback riding, and ballet
Coach Comments: "Nicole is a hugely competitive player with a heavy arm. Playing at a very high international level has prepared Nicole for all aspects of the college game. We are excited to see what she will bring to the gym!"
Shelby Fulton (OH/RS)
Height: 6'1''
Hometown: Sarasota, Florida
High School: Out-of-Door Academy
Club Team: Siesta Key Juniors
Before Princeton: PrepVolleyball.com Soph 79 High Honorable Mention 2018…Under Armor Phenom 2019…PrepVolleyball.com 10-foot Club…Best of HT Preps Honorable Mention 2020…Under Armor All-American Watch List 2020…Florida High School Sports Awards Volleyball Honoree…Out of Door Academy Female Athlete of the Year
Personal: Daughter of Stanley and Mahalie "Halie" Fulton…has two siblings, Katy and Mary Fulton…also played basketball
Coach Comments: "A high flyer, Shelby can attack from any position in the front court. She will be a presence blocking and hitting with plenty of room to grow. Her charisma and energy is magnetic and we are excited to fine tune her game to compliment her physicality."
Mariah Haislip (OH/RS)
Height: 6'0''
Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
High School: Roswell
Club Team: A5
Before Princeton: First Team All-Region (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)…First Team All-State (2019. 2020)…AVCA Phenom (2017, 2018, 2019)…Prep Volleyball All-Americans special mention (2019)…PrepVolleyball Sophomore 79 honorable mention…PrepVolleyball Frosh59 highest honorable mention
Personal: Daughter of Carissa Roustan…sister Makalia is a twin and will be attending Penn State in the fall
Coach Comments: "Mariah has played on one of the nation's best club volleyball teams for six years. She has a lightning quick transition to attack and is lethal off one foot. She is adept at playing middle blocker or right side attacker, and we welcome her versatility and ability to score."
Gracie Wood (S)
Height: 5'10''
Hometown: San Diego, California
High School: Canyon Crest Academy
Club Team: Wave
Before Princeton: PrepVolleyball Soph 79 High Honorable Mention…CIF-SDS Finals Sportsmanship Award (2017)…CCA Rupert Sportsmanship Award Nominee (2017)…CCA Varsity Leadership Award (2018)…Club VB team Wave got 5th in Open 2019
Personal: Daughter of Jeffrey Wood and Ruxi Tang…has a sister, Kalie Wood, who played volleyball at Columbia
Coach Comments: "Gracie is the epitome of a servant leader. She sets for an incredibly talented club team Wave, which earned 5th in Open Jr Nationals in 2019. Gracie has had several hurdles, but her love for the game, resiliency and hard work has kept her competing and succeeding at the highest level."
The Tigers will welcome Nicole Dankinova, Shelby Fulton, Mariah Haislip and Gracie Wood.
"I'm very excited about this class," said King. "2020 was going to be a building year for us, and this fall will be an even greater challenge with two new groups who have not competed at Princeton. This group brings a lot of high-level experience, regularly competing with and against the best players in the United States and internationally. I feel they will be mentally very ready for the college game and will push our current student-athletes to raise their game."
Nicole Dankinova (OH/RS)
Height: 6'3''
Hometown: Sofia, Bulgaria
High School: The American College of Sofia
Club Team: Slavia Sofia
Before Princeton: Second place in Bulgaria for girls U18 2018/2019…sixth place in European Championship 2020…third place in Balkan Championship 2019…third place in Bulgaria for girls U19 2019/2020…third place on European Championship 2017
Personal: Daughter of Nikolai Dankinov and Guergana Polezhanova-Dankinova…father is an ex-volleyball player who has played at the highest level in France and Portugal…loves reading crime novels (her favorite author is Michael Connelly) and watching crime documentaries…enjoys going out with friends to grab coffee and long walks…has practiced rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, dancing, horseback riding, and ballet
Coach Comments: "Nicole is a hugely competitive player with a heavy arm. Playing at a very high international level has prepared Nicole for all aspects of the college game. We are excited to see what she will bring to the gym!"
Shelby Fulton (OH/RS)
Height: 6'1''
Hometown: Sarasota, Florida
High School: Out-of-Door Academy
Club Team: Siesta Key Juniors
Before Princeton: PrepVolleyball.com Soph 79 High Honorable Mention 2018…Under Armor Phenom 2019…PrepVolleyball.com 10-foot Club…Best of HT Preps Honorable Mention 2020…Under Armor All-American Watch List 2020…Florida High School Sports Awards Volleyball Honoree…Out of Door Academy Female Athlete of the Year
Personal: Daughter of Stanley and Mahalie "Halie" Fulton…has two siblings, Katy and Mary Fulton…also played basketball
Coach Comments: "A high flyer, Shelby can attack from any position in the front court. She will be a presence blocking and hitting with plenty of room to grow. Her charisma and energy is magnetic and we are excited to fine tune her game to compliment her physicality."
Mariah Haislip (OH/RS)
Height: 6'0''
Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
High School: Roswell
Club Team: A5
Before Princeton: First Team All-Region (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)…First Team All-State (2019. 2020)…AVCA Phenom (2017, 2018, 2019)…Prep Volleyball All-Americans special mention (2019)…PrepVolleyball Sophomore 79 honorable mention…PrepVolleyball Frosh59 highest honorable mention
Personal: Daughter of Carissa Roustan…sister Makalia is a twin and will be attending Penn State in the fall
Coach Comments: "Mariah has played on one of the nation's best club volleyball teams for six years. She has a lightning quick transition to attack and is lethal off one foot. She is adept at playing middle blocker or right side attacker, and we welcome her versatility and ability to score."
Gracie Wood (S)
Height: 5'10''
Hometown: San Diego, California
High School: Canyon Crest Academy
Club Team: Wave
Before Princeton: PrepVolleyball Soph 79 High Honorable Mention…CIF-SDS Finals Sportsmanship Award (2017)…CCA Rupert Sportsmanship Award Nominee (2017)…CCA Varsity Leadership Award (2018)…Club VB team Wave got 5th in Open 2019
Personal: Daughter of Jeffrey Wood and Ruxi Tang…has a sister, Kalie Wood, who played volleyball at Columbia
Coach Comments: "Gracie is the epitome of a servant leader. She sets for an incredibly talented club team Wave, which earned 5th in Open Jr Nationals in 2019. Gracie has had several hurdles, but her love for the game, resiliency and hard work has kept her competing and succeeding at the highest level."
Players Mentioned
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballTuesday, June 04
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