The volleyball team will return a large portion of its team this season, including setter Abby Blasco '11, outside hitter Paige Blasco '11 and middle blocker Nicole Smith '11. The team will also welcome a first-year player and a transfer student to the squad. However, there is also another newcomer who stands out: defensive specialist Bella Hu '13.

Hu spent last season playing club and intramural volleyball before making the varsity team as a walk-on earlier this year.

Hu, who first started playing volleyball in eighth grade and played for three years in high school, said that she had never considered playing in college when applying to schools.

"Volleyball is something that I love to play, but I didn't want college to be all about sports," she said.

Still, Hu spent her first year at Brandeis playing volleyball whenever she could, including practicing with the men's club team.

After befriending several members of the women's varsity team, she was convinced to try out for the Judges.

"[Coach Michelle Kim] told me that I was welcome to try out," said Hu. "She gave me a shot, so I took it."

In an earlier interview with the Justice, Kim said that she was most impressed with Hu's "love for the sport and her passion for the game."

Hu realizes that she may not play much during the regular season for the Judges, but she is excited for the opportunity to be on the team with the other girls.

"I'm a walk-on, so I may not get much playing time, and I accept that," she said. "But I didn't come here to play volleyball, so that isn't my priority. I love playing, and I want to help out the girls, so I'm going to stick with it."

While her playing time is yet to be determined, one thing is for certain: Hu will be playing volleyball for the Judges.