ANAHEIM, Calif. – Ella Gardiner – an incoming member of the Fairfield Volleyball Class of 2024 – has been tabbed by the Orange County Register as the area's Female Outstanding Competitor of the 2019-20 high school year. Gardiner was a two-sport star in volleyball and basketball for San Clemente High School.
 
"Ella was an elite two-sport athlete in high school which is rare these days with sport specialization," said Head Coach Todd Kress. "We're beyond excited to have her joining us this fall. She has tremendous upside on the court and, most importantly, is an incredible young woman to welcome into our program."
 
Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Gardiner was a two-time First Team All-League performer in volleyball for the Tritons. She led the team with 49 blocks and sent home 174 kills from the middle, guiding San Clemente to a share of the Sea View League Championship. As a basketball player, Gardiner was the South Coast League MVP and First Team All-County as her squad won the South Coast League and reached the finals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs. She averaged 16.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per contest from the post.
 
Gardiner's parents – Amy and Andrew – both played college basketball at San Jose State, and her father also played for the New Zealand men's national basketball team. She will major in Environmental Studies at Fairfield. Gardiner is the second New Zealander in program history after Liz Lemon, who played one season of volleyball and basketball for the Stags in the 1998-99 academic year.
 
Gardiner is one of eight incoming student-athletes who will join 12 returners from the 2019 MAAC Championship team. The Stags went 24-6 overall and 17-1 in the MAAC last fall, wrapping up the campaign at #7 Minnesota – an eventual Final Four team – in the NCAA Championship First Round.