We’ve spent time honoring our seniors over the course of the last semester – now it’s time to start getting to know the newcomers, the Class of 2024! We’ll take a team-by-team look at our first-year students throughout the coming weeks, from the Fall athletes who will be making the varsity debuts later in 2021 to the Spring players that we will keep our fingers crossed about seeing in action later this semester.

Today's New To The Judges’ Bench features the volleyball newcomers!

INES GROM-MANSENECAL – 5-8 – S – CINCINNATI, OHIO – WYOMING

• A four-year letter-winner and three-year starter at setter at Wyoming High School
• Led the Cowboys to Cincinnati Hills League championships all three years and district titles as a first-year and as a senior
• Set school single-season assist records as a junior and senior, posting 1,025 in 2019
• Named first-team All-CHL and All-District every season starting her sophomore year, adding All-State honors as a junior and senior
• Planned Major: Neuroscience
• What attracted her to Brandeis: The people! Everyone is so nice and willing to help. I really feel the sense of community.
• Dream job: A doctor for Doctors Without Borders
• Favorite movie: Stepbrothers
• Ideal Final Jeopardy! category: Friends
• COACH BENNETT: Ines brings a phenomenal work ethic to our program she will lead us as a setter. She has a true passion for the game and you see it every time she plays.

RITA LAI – 5-8 – MH – SUGAR LAND, TEXAS – CLEMENTS

• Four-year member and three-year starter at middle hitter at Clements High School
• Ranked sixth in her District in blocks as a junior
• Earned second-team All-District honors as a senior, earning team Offensive Player of the Year honors
• Planned Major: Business
• Favorite thing about Brandeis: the culture. When I came on my visit, I saw how close-knit the team was and how serious everyone's passion is for the game.
• Favorite High School Subject: German, because our class was super close and we had so much fun every day!
• Favorite place to travel: Taiwan
• Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
• Favorite College Team: Texas Longhorns
• COACH BENNETT: Rita started playing slightly later than other athletes in Texas. She has so much athletic ability she physically very strong and will help us so much offensively.  

GRACIE LERIAN – 5-9 – OH – MANHASSET, NEW YORK – MANHASSET SECONDARY SCHOOL

• Four-year starter at outside hitter at Manhasset Secondary School
• Reached Long Island A1 Conference championships as a sophomore and senior
• Earned All-Conference honors in 2019
• Also earned conference Scholar-Athlete recognition
• Planned Major: Neuroscience
• Favorite Food: Sushi       
• Favorite Place to Travel: Disney World – I’ve been 12 times!
• Fun Fact: Served as president of Chorus in high school
• COACH BENNETT: Gracie comes in as a terrific all-around player. She is a great student of the game and loves to learn as much as she can to better herself and our team. She will help us in many ways.

  MILA MANIC – 5-10 – MH – PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS – PLYMOUTH SOUTH

• A four-year starter and two-year captain at Plymouth High School
• A Patriot League All-Star her last three years and the league’s MVP as a senior
• Also earned Boston Globe All-Scholastic and MIAA All-State honors in 2019
• Planned Major: Biology
• Favorite high school moment: Placing third in a competition at MIT for a research project for the Massachusetts State Fair
• Favorite High School Class: AP Biology
• Dream job: Pediatric oncologist
• Favorite Movie: Back To The Future
• Favorite Song: By Your Side by Sade
• COACH BENNETT: Mila has so much potential as a player and loves to learn and compete we are so excited to see what she can do for our program.

ELLA PEREIRA – 5-7 – DS/L – REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA – ROLLING HILLS PREP

• Four-year starter and two-time captain for Rolling Hills Prep
• Also played on her school’s club Beach Volleyball team
• Planned Major: Undecided
• Favorite high school classes: AP Languages
• Favorite high school athletic moments: Traveling to out-of-state tournaments with my club team
• Goal for 2020-21: Work hard and improve my game
• If I could time-travel, I would go to: The ‘70s, because I love the style
• COACH BENNETT: Ella is from the mecca of beach volleyball.  She has played a lot, and it shows on the court with her natural ability to read and stay calm in plays. We can't wait to see her compete.