Meet the Volleyball Newcomers: Ella Foti

Setter Ella Foti graduated high school early to become a Golden Eagle.

"I wanted to get more experience and wanted to be able to train with older kids who wouldn't be there in my true freshman year," Foti said. "Being able to adjust to the school while playing a college sport made the transition easier."

Theis said the plan for Foti to join in the spring has been in the works for over a year.

"She was very ahead academically (in high school)," Theis said. "They're a volleyball family, and they had asked about her coming early. It just made sense for her to come."

Foti's sister, a senior at MU, was the original reason why she looked at the school, but once Foti arrived on campus, she knew it was her next landing spot too.

"Once I looked at (Marquette), I fell in love with the coaching staff, the campus, and team culture," Foti said.

While her impact on the rotation this season might not be much, the training time Foti is getting will be crucial for her development.

"Ella gets to come and train now 20 hours a week until the end of March or early April," Theis said. "She is going to get a ton of extra training that she wouldn't have gotten before."

As far as her goals for this opening season at MU, Foti wants to soak up as much knowledge as she can.

"I just want to watch my peers, see how the offense works for the team and be a sponge," Foti said. "I want to try to get as much information as possible from the older kids."

Favorite professional athlete: Donte DiVincenzo
Favorite sports memory: State volleyball playoffs last season
Biggest motivation: Family members
Ideal job: Child life specialist or genetic counselor
Favorite place in Milwaukee: Bradford Beach
Favorite guilty pleasure food: Ice cream
Favorite candy: Laffy Taffy
Favorite holiday: Christmas