GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University Head Indoor and Beach Volleyball coaches Dave Fleming and David Skaff have announced the commitment of three 2020 high school seniors to continue their education at CMU and join the Maverick programs for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year.

The new Mavericks are Rianne Brown of Pleasant View, Utah and Weber High School, Hahni Johnson of Anchorage, Alaska and Dimond High School and Caroline Pung of Littleton, Colorado and Chatfield High School, all of whom have recently signed their respective national letters of intent with the Mavericks. 
 
Brown is a beach only signee while Pung plans to concentrate on indoor volleyball only.  Johnson intends to play for the Mavericks during both seasons.
 
Complete biographies about each of the new Mavericks along with quotes from the Maverick coaches can be found below.
   
Prep: Was the team captain for the Weber HS Warriors, coached by Jeff Barrows… Helped the team win a 6A Academic state championship… Enjoyed her membership in DECA and being a part of the school seminary council.
 
Club: Played for the RPM Sand, coached by Ryan Mariano and Nick Bowling… Was named as the Utah Defender of the Year for beach volleyball… Helped RPM place fifth in Division 1 at the BVCA in January of 2020… Had 30 top five finishes in her beach career.
 
Personal: Is planning to major in marketing with aspirations of a career in marketing with something to do with advertising or public relations… Daughter of Brant and Jana Brown… Has three younger siblings (Heath, Bennett, Bowman)… Enjoys watching movies.
 
Why I Chose CMU: "I came for a tour and loved the campus.  Everything was so close and the people are so nice. I love the community in Grand Junction and at CMU. And of course CMU provides the greatest sport in the world, beach volleyball. They have amazing coaches and a great team and players."
 
Skaff on Brown: "Rianne Brown is a very talented beach player.  She is very solid on defense and has a great transition game to offence from her defense.  During her tryout, she fit in right away with the team, chemistry, style of play, effort, and knowledge of the game. Everything we are looking for in a Maverick.  We're very excited to have Rianne as part of the family!"
   
Prep: Named as the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Gatorade Player of the Year while playing for Coach Kim Lauwers and the Dimond HS Lynx.
 
Club: Played for Coach Morgan Hooe and the Midnight Sun Volleyball Club.
 
Personal: Plans to major in exercise science with aspirations of becoming a physical therapist after obtaining the necessary schooling and certifications… Daughter of Michael and Erica Johnson… Siblings are Clay and Eva… Enjoys playing Spikeball, almost as much as volleyball… Also enjoys hiking, biking and playing music with friends.
 
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the beautiful campus, the great programs and coaches, and for the opportunity to be in Colorado!"
 
Skaff on Johnson: "I saw Hahni play in Las Vegas, three years ago and she caught my attention then.  When she came out for a tryout, she excelled around our athletes.  Hahni has grown up around the beach game and has a very high Volleyball IQ and versatility. We look forward to see her impact here at CMU and excited to welcome Hahni to the Maverick family."
   
Prep: Was a First Team All-Jeffco and honorable mention all-state selection as a senior in 2019 for the Chatfield HS Chargers coached by Stephanie Schick… Was also named to the CCGS All-State Team… Was a 3-year letterwinner and 2019 team captain… Earned first team academic all-state honors in both 2018 and 2019… Was a 4-year high honor roll and academic letter-winner.
 
Club: Played for Front Range Volleyball Club and Coach Jim Miret… Led the team to a No. 1 finish in Colorado's Power League… Helped the team to a fourth place finish at the 2020 Northern Lights Qualifier in the 18 Open Division.
 
Personal: Is planning on majoring in exercise science… Wants to work with special needs students or people with disabilities in some way… Plans on continuing her education in order to become a speech pathologist or as an occupational therapist… Enjoys hanging out with family and playing card games, ping pong or in a grass volleyball game… Also enjoying swimming when not at practice, school or work.
 
Why I Chose CMU: "I really wanted to stay in Colorado and when I visited campus, the size was perfect, the campus was beautiful, and the community was awesome! It is the perfect distance away from home and will be the perfect place for me to start the next chapter of my life!"
 
Fleming on Pung: "Caroline is a solid middle blocker that caught my attention at the State All-Star game last fall.  She has played for Coach Stephanie Schick, who runs one of the more consistent winners in the state and will have Caroline ready to work.  Caroline also played this last COVID-19 shortened season with Jim Miret and Front Range Volleyball Club.  She had to compete every day to see the court.  We expect Caroline to push to play during her freshmen year and will make our entire gym better."