SAN DIEGO – San Diego State volleyball head coach Brent Hilliard has announced the first two members of the Aztecs' 2024 recruiting class with addition of Jasmine Davis and Talea Mitchell.
Davis is a 6-0 outside hitter who will have one year of eligibility remaining next fall after playing four seasons at the University of Connecticut (2019-22), while Mitchell is a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter who just completed her senior campaign at Millennium High School in Goodyear, Arizona.
"We could not be happier to bring Jasmine on board for her post-graduate year of volleyball," Hilliard said. "She is a true six-rotation outside hitter who is strong in all parts of her game. Her explosive front-row abilities are matched evenly with her ability to serve, pass and defend."
A native of Redondo Beach, California, Davis played 95 matches during her career at UConn, posting 897 kills (2.62/set), 830 digs (2.43/set), 151.0 blocks (0.40/set) and 91 service aces (0.20/set). She surpassed the double-digit kill plateau on 42 occasions while completing 22 double-doubles (kills-digs).
A two-time Big East Weekly Honor Roll selection, Davis enjoyed her finest season as a junior in 2021 when she started 33 of 34 matches, compiling 337 kills (2.74/set), 305 digs (2.48/set) and 68.0 blocks (0.55/set) to lift the Huskies to a 24-11 overall record and a Final Four appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
Prior to her move east to the Nutmeg State, Davis won three letters in volleyball at Redondo Union High, where she helped the the Sea Hawks to a pair of Bay League titles during her junior and senior campaigns. She also landed on Prep Volleyball's High Honorable Mention All-America List in 2018 and was named the Daily Breeze Player of the Week on two occasions.
A multi-sport athlete, Davis also starred for three seasons on the basketball court as a prep, leading Redondo Union High to the CIF Division II state championship in 2018. She twice collected conference MVP honors and was a two-time all-CIF selection, garnering first-team accolades in 2017.
In addition, Davis has excelled in the classroom, twice earning a spot on the Big East all-academic team at Connecticut before receiving her bachelor's degree in mathematical sciences from the university.
"Jasmine was an elite outside hitter in the Big East and should have no problem adjusting to our league," Hilliard added. "Our fans will be very excited to see her on the pin next fall."
Meanwhile, Mitchell was a four-year varsity standout at prep powerhouse Millennium High, where she hit a combined .423 over her final two seasons, according to MaxPreps.
"Talea is one of the best overall athletes I have had the opportunity to recruit during my time here at SDSU," Hilliard said. "She is a very physical and versatile player who will allow us to plug her in almost anywhere on the court."
Mitchell brings a winning pedigree with her to The Mesa, helping the Tigers to a combined 126-25 record during her prep career, highlighted by a Conference 5A state championship at the 2020 Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) tournament as a freshman, followed by three consecutive runner-up finishes.
A first-team all-Conference 5A selection and all-region honoree as a senior, Mitchell led Millennium High with a .429 hitting percentage and 98 blocks this past season while ranking third with 244 kills, according to MaxPreps. Prior to the 2023 campaign, she appeared on the AVCA Preseason All-America Watch List.
Not to be outdone, Mitchell shined in the classroom as well, earning first-team all-academic distinction for girls volleyball from Sports360AZ.com.
"Talea will start mainly as a middle blocker, but I could see her moving to the pin later in her career," Hillard concluded. "She is also excellent off one foot and running behind the setter. This will help us should we work back toward a one-setter system."