Sophia Vella

Photo by: Ryan Brennecke/ University of Montana

Class:
Freshman
Position:
Middle Blocker/Opposite
Height:
6-1
Hometown:
Danville, Calif.
High School:
San Ramon Valley HS

High School: A 2025 graduate of San Ramon Valley HS… three year varsity letter winner… team captain for three years… All-League Second Team selection in 2023… her team finished 1^st in the North Coast Section in 2022… played with the NorCal Volleyball Club… played against current Grizzly Emma Williams at 18s Nationals in 2023… also played soccer for two years in high school, winning a league championship as a freshman and captaining the team for two years.

Personal: Parents are Tony (dad) and Keri Vella (stepmom), and Christie Gundling (mom)… has three younger sisters, Grace, Vivian, and Avery… her dad, Tony, played football and baseball at Stanford… stepmom Keri was a swimmer at San Diego State… her uncle Nick played football at Montana and was part of 2001 National Championship team… her aunt Amy played soccer at UCLA… her grandpa John played football at USC.

Coach Lawrence on Vella: "I think the theme of the 2025 freshman class is growth and connection. Her growth has been outstanding, and she's worked really hard for that, so I think the sky is the limit. The speed of her arm, the speed of her feet, and how aggressive she is will make her a huge factor for us."