WASHINGTON - Calling it "potentially the best, most complete class of my 32 years in coaching at American," head coach Barry Goldberg has announced the addition of eight recruits for the 2020 season. The group includes three international signees, while the other five all represent different states in the U.S.
 
Joining the team next season are Fanny Ahman (Umea, Sweden), Tyra Areskoug (Lidingö, Sweden), Talia Borenstein (Englewood, Colo.), Allie Burke (Doylestown, Pa.), Ariel Campbell (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.), Carlie Fikse (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Griselda Memia (Tirana, Albania), and Katie Putney (Pendleton, N.Y.).
 
Coming off the program's 16th Patriot League Championship in 19 seasons, Goldberg enters his 32nd season at the helm in 2020.
 
"This year's incoming class looks to be potentially the best, most complete class of my 32 years in coaching at American University," he said. "A record eight new athletes will join us for the 2020 fall season. Our team will have many options at all positions. Competitive play will win the starting roles and all are capable of making an impact. It will be an exciting time to see our team climb to higher levels of the NCAA Division I rankings."
 



















FANNY AHMAN
Umea, Sweden (Midgårdsskolan/Texas A&M Corpus Christi) | Club: IKSU Volleyball Club
Libero | 5-9 | Junior 

• Younger brother, David Ahman, won a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games 2018 in Buenos Aires in beach volleyball.
• Plans to major in journalism.
• Likes to go cross-country skiing in the mountains.

Prior to AU...

• Played beach volleyball for the Islanders at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
• Recorded a 4-4 overall record in a shortened season in 2020.
• Compiled a 3-1 record at No. 1 and went 1-3 at No. 2.
• Compiled a 7-4 overall record, going 3-2 at No. 4 and 4-2 at No. 5. as a freshman in 2019.
• Member of Sweden's indoor national team that won the European Silver League in 2018.
• Was voted the best libero in the U19 North European Championship Tournament in 2017.
• On the beach, she has won championships in the U20, U18 and Swedish Beach Tour.
• Won the U19 North European Championships and also took third in the Swedish Championships main division.
• Played for the IKSU Volleyball Club for five years with coach Bjorn Harnerud. 

Coach Goldberg on Ahman: "Fanny will compete for the libero position and has a wealth of experience competing internationally for her youth, junior, and senior national team in Sweden, before coming to the U.S. She was the #1 team sand player for the 2019 season at UTCC."


 

















TYRA ARESKOUG
Lidingö, Sweden (Ållebergsgymnasiet) | Club: Lidingö SK
Setter | 5-9 | Freshman

• Mother, Anna Vorwerk in her playing days, represented the Swedish national team in 131 official games.
• Vorwerk went to play for the University of Hawaii for the 1988 season. She was an All-America Second Team selection and led the team to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Championships. 
• Plans to major in international studies.

Prior to AU...

• Represented the Swedish Senior National Team.
• Won gold in the Silver European League 2018 and participated in the Golden European League in 2019.
• Represented the Swedish Junior National Team in both U17 and U19.
• Won NEVZA (North European Championships) gold in 2018 with the U19 national team.
• Captain for both U17 and U19 Junior National Teams, as well as for Lidingö SK
• club team.
• Named best setter at the U18 Swedish Championships in 2018.
• Represented Sweden in the U18 European Championships in beach volleyball in 2018.
• Won gold in the U16 Swedish Championship in beach volleyball in 2016.

Coach Goldberg on Areskoug: "Tyra comes from extensive international competitions and experience throughout Europe, playing for her Youth, Junior and Senior National teams in her home country. She is a determined athlete who works hard and is a leader among her peers."
 



















TALIA BORENSTEIN
Englewood, Colo. (Cherry Creek) | Club: CVA 18 Mizuno
Setter | 5-10 | Freshman

• Plans to major in international affairs.
• Father, Yohai, played volleyball for the Israeli National Team.
• Loves minions!

Prior to AU…

• First team all-league at Cherry Creek as well as Team MVP and winner of the Captains Award.
• Led the team in blocks and assists as a sophomore.
• Named first team all-state by the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports.
• Was named to the All-Region All-America Team.
• An Academic First Team honoree and member of the honor roll.

Coach Goldberg on Borenstein: "Talia is a talented freshman. She sets a fast tempo offense, and will compete for a starting role in her all-important leadership position. She has a great demeanor and brings out the best in everyone she works with."


 

















ALLIE BURKE
Doylestown, Pa. (Central Bucks South) | Club: East Coast Power
Middle Blocker | 6-2 | Freshman

• Plans to major in biology.
• Father, Chris, played pro basketball in the U.S. and Europe.
• Twin sister, Maddie, will play basketball at Penn State. 

Prior to AU…

• Graduated in the top 10 percent of her class.
• Was a four-year varsity basketball player.
• Honorable mention all-state selection for Central Bucks South.
• First team all-league honoree.

Coach Goldberg on Burke: "Allie is a 6-2 middle that had a strong high school/club career and is looking to make her mark in the collegiate ranks. She is a fierce competitor who works hard and keeps improving in hopes of earning a starting spot."


 

















ARIEL CAMPBELL
Rolling Hills Estates, Calif. (Palos Verdes) | Club: Mizuno Long Beach 18 Rockstar
Outside Hitter | 5-10 | Freshman

• Plans to major in psychology.
• Father, Elden, played in the NBA from 1990-2005.
• Sister, Jael, plays volleyball at Dartmouth.

Prior to AU… 

• Named to the all-league first team as a senior and all-league second team as a junior.
• Earned the Coaches Award at Palos Verdes High School as a senior in 2019.
• Hit .600 in a league game in 2018.
• With Mizuno Long Beach Club, won the Las Vegas Classic in 2020, the Red Rock Rave in 2018 and the Pacific Coast Jamboree in 2018.

Coach Goldberg on Campbell: "Ariel is a talented athlete, competing for the Mizuno Long Beach team that was nationally competitive with the top USA volleyball club programs. She is a versatile athlete and can compete for both an outside attacker and middle blocker position."


 

















CARLIE FIKSE
Sioux Falls, S.D. (Harrisburg/University of Wyoming) | Club: Kairos Elite Volleyball
Middle Blocker | 6-4 | Junior

• Parents are Gary Fikse and Renae Knopf, siblings are Sydney and Jaydyn.
• Mother played basketball at Vanderbilt from 1986-90.
• Plans to major in criminology.
• Enjoys hiking, boating, reading, hammocking, and hanging with her family and their dogs.
• Volunteered at the South Dakota Butterfly House and Aquarium for two years.

Prior to AU…

• Totaled 30 kills and 27 blocks in 34 sets played as a sophomore at Wyoming.
• Four-year letterwinner in volleyball at Harrisburg High School and also lettered in basketball.
• Guided her high school team to a state championship in 2016 and fourth-place finish in 2015.
• Member of the 2016 AVCA Phenom List and 2017 Under Armour Watch List.
• Governor's Luncheon for Leadership recipient, as well as a National Honors Society and Honor Roll member.

Coach Goldberg on Fikse: "Carlie is a 6-4 middle blocker with good speed and agility to present an imposing block against national level attackers. She jumps well, has good vision, and will be a threat to opposing competitors."


 

















GRISELDA MEMIA
Tirana, Albania (Petro Nini Luarasi) | Club: SK Tirana
Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter | 6-5 | Freshman

• Plans to major in biochemistry.

Prior to AU…

• Played for Albania's Youth and Junior National Teams.
• Spent a year of high school in Florida.

Coach Goldberg on Memia: "Griselda is a dedicated athlete and will hope to make her mark as an explosive attacker with her 6-5 size and good jumping ability. She played with her National Team in Albania at several international competitions and spent her 10th grade year studying and playing club in Florida."


















 

KATIE PUTNEY
Pendleton, N.Y. (Starpoint) | Club: Niagara Frontier
Outside Hitter | 6-5 | Freshman

• Plans to major in biology.
• Father, Dan, played Division I basketball at St. Bonaventure University.
• Has extensive volunteer experience including mission trips and participating in "Operation Christmas Child" for six years.

Prior to AU…

• Was a New York State Scholar Athlete and ranked in the top 10 in her graduating class.
• Four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Starpoint High School.
• Named MVP and earned the Coaches Award for both high school and club.
• Earned multiple All-Tournament Team honors.
• Named to the all-conference first team and the All-Western New York Large Schools First Team.

Coach Goldberg on Putney: "Katie is a gifted lefty attacker from the right side and comes from the Western New York area that has produced several nationally talented volleyball athletes over the years. She is a determined achiever with a strong work ethic. Her 6-5 frame will be an imposing threat."

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