PASADENA, Calif. – Looking to build on the successes of the 2022 season, Caltech Volleyball will add four new players to the team's 2023 roster.

"This is a great class of talented players representing different regions of the country," Head Coach Tom Gardner said. "These four players fill some voids that we have and will ensure that our future is bright. I am excited to see them compete and feel the energy that they bring to our team."

Alize Bakker

Portland, Ore. / Westview
5'8" Outside Hitter

Bakker has a strong playing background, earning Co-League Player of the Year honors and being named 1^st Team All-League twice. She performed research in Computer Investigation of Herd Behavior at Ecole Polytechnique in France, was Team Lead for robotics competitions, was an OHSU Science Ambassador and was ASB Assembly President.
 
Coach Gardner commented: "Alize is a very talented six-rotation player who will help both our offense and defense.  Her experience as both an indoor and beach player has given her a wide range of shots and amazing court vision.  I am really excited to see her in our lineup this fall."


 
 

Jeylin Lee

Albertson, NY / Herricks Senior
5'2" Defensive Specialist

Lee received All-County recognition as a defensive specialist while playing high school volleyball.  She is a 2023 Regeneron STS Scholar, was a Research Associate at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore Hospital and Co-authored a paper published in Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism: "Incidence, characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis in COVID-19 patients without prior insulin dependence: comparison with influenza."
 
"Jeylin is a talented defensive specialist who will make us better in a variety of back row positions," Gardner said. "She has quick feet and will have a positive impact on the teams transition game. She's a wonderful addition."
 
 
 

Shreeya Thuppul

Alpharetta, Ga. / Fulton Science Academy
5'8" Setter

Thuppul received multiple All-State and All Region honors. She completed a Biomedical Engineering course at the University of Rochester where she designed part of a prosthetic arm, did a STEM internship at Novelis Inc., and was a researcher at miRcore Volunteer Program. Her research paper titled "Differential MERS-CoV Response in Different Cell Types" was submitted for publication.
 
"Shreeya is a terrific setter with great strength to each location," Gardner said.  "She gives us some additional offensive options this fall and solidifies our future for the setting position.  We are thrilled that she has chosen to play here."
 

Celine Wu

Potomac, Md. / Montgomery Blair
5'6" Libero

Wu was awarded All-County Honorable Mention while competing in her secondary position as a setter, and in club competition she was recognized as a "star who shined" by PrepVolleyball. She participated in an internship at the Ohio State University researching the significant risk factors and trajectory for marijuana usage in US high school students over the past 30 years and represented the state of Maryland at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. She also conducted research under the guidance of a PhD physicist, calculating the photocatalytic properties of several potential materials to determine whether they could be used in photocatalytic water splitting, a new and renewable energy source.
 
"Celine is a relentless defender and excellent serve receive passer," Gardner said.  "She will contribute greatly to our offense and transition defense and make life easier for our setters.   We are happy to have her join us."
 
 
 
"The 2022 campaign had its challenges, but we were still able to match our best conference finish in our program's history," Gardner said. "The 2023 team returns a strong, experienced core and adds players who will be key in advancing our standing. I am really excited about this roster and can't wait for our season to arrive."