California came calling, but Bella Bernazzani decided to stick closer to home.
The Demons volleyball player signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her career locally at Fort Lewis College.
She also had opportunities at California Lutheran University, Humboldt State and The University of La Verne – all California zip codes.
“As much as I would like to live in California some days, I think that I can be patient and wait until after college,” Bernazzani said. “This is a beautiful town, I don’t know why I wouldn’t want to stay here.”
Bernazzani was named to the All-Southwestern League first team last season after leading Durango High School in blocks and attack percentage.
The Demons finished last season 13-14 and 6-4 in SWL play.
They qualified for the Class 4A regional playoffs before bowing out to Greeley Central and Thomas Jefferson.
Bernazzani also competed with the Four Corners Volleyball Club based in Durango.
Becoming a Skyhawk will keep Bernazzani in the same state as her brother and sister and allow her parents, John and Robin Bernazzani, to keep cheering for her.
“My wife and I are certainly happy,” said John Bernazzani, who grew up on the West Coast. “We’ve been here for 12 years and always supported Fort Lewis in every way. Bella’s decision to stay close to home, I thought, what a good fit.”
John Bernazanni is a former FLC softball assistant coach.
Bella Bernazzani also jumped at the chance to play for FLC head coach Kelley Rifilato, who took over the Skyhawks’ program last season after several years at Bayfield High School.
Rifilato led FLC to a 10-18 record last season and a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament appearance.
“I think she’s an amazing coach, and I’m really excited to have her as a coach,” said Bella Bernazzani, whose brother John signed a college letter to play soccer at Colorado School of Mines but currently plays club baseball for the Golden school.
The admiration from Rifilato is mutual.
“Bella is a local talent and very athletic,” she said in a news release. “She has exceptional jumping ability, which will make her a huge offensive threat. Bella is a versatile player that will be able to play a myriad of positions at the net.”
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
Skyhawks add power up the middle
Two more players will join Durango’s Bella Bernazzani as freshmen on the Fort Lewis College volleyball team next season.
Emily Dellenbach of Gilcrest and Hannah Hargrove of Santa Fe, N.M., also signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Skyhawks.
Dellenbach played at Valley High School, where she won two volleyball state championships as a middle blocker.
“Emily is a competitor and knows how to win,” FLC head coach Kelley Rifilato said in a news release. “She has two state titles and two second-place finishes in her four years at Valley High School.
“Emily is a powerful player who knows how to score with high efficiency.”
Hargrove played for the Santa Fe Demons at the varsity level all four years of high school, winning all-district honors three times. She helped earn recognition from Rifilato by playing on the Albuquerque Rebels club team.
“Hannah is extremely competitive and driven. She is a force at the net having played middle blocker most of her career,” Rifilato said.
The 2014 FLC volleyball season begins Sept. 5 at Midwestern State.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
