Buffs Add Two To 2020 Signing Class

BOULDER – To say Colorado volleyball added two different players to the 2020 signing class is an understatement as graduate transfer Rachael Fara from Dayton signs along with Colorado native Morgan Riddle of Chaparral High School. Fara is a 22-year old, 6-foot, 3-inch graduate transfer middle and rightside from Naperville, Illinois, while Riddle is an 18-year old, 5-9 outside/defensive specialist.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rachael and Morgan into the Buff family," said head coach Jesse Mahoney. "Both are outstanding volleyball players and even better people who will represent the Colorado Volleyball program well on the court, the classroom and in the community."

Fara joins the Buffaloes most recently from Dayton University. She will be entering her sixth year of college after competing for Northwestern University from 2015-17, including a medical redshirt in 2017. After not playing in 2018, she returned to the court in 2019 for the Flyers. She appeared in 65 sets in 22 matches, totaling 99 kills for a .316 hitting percentage and 43 total blocks.

Fara was a two-time state champion for Benet Academy in Illinois in high school where she was also named a 2015 AAU All-American. As a member of Sports Performance Volleyball Club she helped lead her squad to consecutive AAU 18 Open Championships. She was also named to the Maxpreps.com 2014 National Volleyball Player of the Year Watch List.

"We are excited that Rachael chose to finish her career at Colorado," said Mahoney. "She brings maturity and experience at both the middle and rightside positions. Her ability to attack off one foot behind the setter will help diversify our offense."

Riddle joins Colorado from Chaparral High School and the Front Range Volleyball Club. Riddle was a key member of the Chaparral team this fall and helped her team to 5A State Championship. She dished out four kills in the final match as well as a pair of blocks and 15 digs.

Her senior season she finished with 166 kills, 40 blocks and 264 digs. As an upperclassman, Riddle's squads had a combined record of 53-5 with a pair of trips to the championship match. She also holds school record in track in the 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 400-meter dash.

Riddle comes from an athletic family that included her grandfather playing baseball for CU, her father Barry playing tennis at Northern Colorado, her mother Suzette playing tennis for the University of Virginia, her brother Monroe playing basketball for Western Colorado University and her sister Madison playing tennis at CSU.

"Morgan is an elite, fast-twitched athlete at the libero position," said Mahoney. "She is passionate about her growth as a player and has a competitive edge that will make her fun to coach."

Both join Maya Tabron from the fall signing date and keep Colorado at 18 players on the team after the graduation of three seniors.

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