Seven years ago, Noelle Fanella failed to make the middle school volleyball team. Now, not only does she represent Mason at the collegiate level, but the freshman has taken great strides to land herself the CAA Rookie of the Week honor for last week’s top-notch performances. With the conference matches coming up, Fanella’s all-around ability has been key to her early success. The outside hitter currently has 56 kills, 69 digs, and 11 blocks.

Fanella first encountered volleyball in middle school as a 6th grader where she tried out for the 7th grade team. After not making the team that year, the Illinois native tried out again, except with different results. From there, she continued with volleyball at Lake Park High School. Fanella’s resume consists of two team most valuable player honors as well as the All-Upstate Eight Conference and All-Area honorable mention during her four years as a varsity player. Fanella claims that her most memorable match was the last of her high school career as her journey would take her eastward to Fairfax.

Fanella leads in games played among Mason freshmen with 32.

“College is more of a mental game then high school. There is also the obvious that the competition level in college is much higher. So it has and still is taking adjustments to the style of play,” said Fanella.

In only her second collegiate match, Fanella recorded a team-high with 10 kills against George Washington in a losing effort. Against Liberty at the Mason Invitational earlier this month, Fanella posted 11 kills and an even more impressive .348 hitting percentage. She fell one dig short of completing her first double-double.

Last week, Fanella was named CAA Rookie of the Week after scoring 40 digs, 28 kills, 11 assists, and five blocks. In her four starts last week, the team, which currently stands at 4-6, won the first three before falling to Charlotte in a highly competitive five-set match. In that loss, Fanella recorded her first career double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs. Her goal as a Mason volleyball player is to keep having a positive attitude and to provide her team with every ounce of her play to help win matches.

With volleyball as her primary sport, Fanella also played softball for her high school team. In addition to playing softball, she also enjoys watching softball and baseball, especially when there is a bitter rivalry between Cubs and White Sox fans in the state of Illinois. Fanella also enjoys watching basketball despite claiming that she is “absolutely terrible at the sport.”

It is evident Fanella has provided Mason volleyball with an immediate spark. With a bright future ahead, Fanella looks to continue doing what got her here in the first place. The early bird gets the worm. For Fanella, she is the bird.