DENVER – University of Denver head volleyball coach, Tom Hogan, announced his first official class of 2020 signee, Gianna Bartalo on Thursday.

"We are very excited to officially welcome Gianna to the Pioneer Family." Said Hogan. "Gianna is one of the top liberos in the 2020 class. She is extremely athletic and fast to the ball, and has experience competing at a high level. Gianna will immediately transition to the collegiate game and help take our ball control to the next level."

The 5'7 Libero will come to Denver next fall from Lewis Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bartalo is a four-time Conference Champion and a three-time 4A State Champion. The four-year letterwinner was named to the Maxpreps Sophomore All-American Team in 2017 and has received CHSAA All-State first team and second team honors during her four-year stint.

"I chose the University of Denver because it felt like home. I loved the coaches, team, campus and academics. I knew that DU would challenge me to be the person, student, and athlete I could be." Bartalo has shown success both on and off the court being a member of National Honors Society and a three-year Academic Letter recipient.

Bartalo will have a familiar face around in her opening year with the Pioneers as she is the younger sister of DU junior outside hitter, Lydia Bartalo. "I am so excited that Gianna is finally officially a pioneer and that we get another chance to play together! She is such a solid volleyball player and I'm glad she chose DU," stated the 2018 Summit League All-League selection. Lydia currently ranks eighth in the Summit League in kills per set and first in service aces per set. 

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