On Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, Pennridge seniors Allyson Ricciardi & Ava Vesey were recognized for committing to compete in water polo at Siena College.
Allyson Ricciardi – Siena College (Water Polo)
Major: Pre-law
Final list of colleges: Siena, James Madison, Northern Iowa, Buffalo, University of Toronto
Reasons for choosing Siena: “It felt like home, and I love the environment and people at the university. It felt like such a kind and inviting place.”
Coach Jacob Grant says: “Ally Ricciardi is a hole set, center offense. She is an absolute force to be reckoned with in the water. She was our leading goal scorer this year as a senior. As a junior, she was voted first team all-state, first team all-conference and first team all-league. As a senior, she was voted first team all-state, first team all-conference and first team all-league, and she capped off her senior year with being voted PA State Water Polo Player of the Year for women’s water polo. She is going to be a huge asset to Siena in the center position, and Ava is going to be a huge asset to Siena as well as an outside shooter. It’s nice to see high school teammates head off to college together and play a sport together and have that team chemistry already, so we’re super excited to see what both of these athletes can do at the same college and continue to grow their relationship and love for the sport in the next four years.”
About Ally:
Favorite food: Quesadillas
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
Favorite artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ava Vesey – Siena College (Water Polo)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Siena, La Salle, Washington & Jefferson
Reasons for choosing Siena: “I chose Siena because the campus life fit me best. At Siena, students do not have to choose an official major until the end of sophomore year, which will give me plenty of time to experiment.”
Coach Jacob Grant says: “Ava is utility player on the water polo team, so she plays on the outside perimeter. She could also be considered a driver. Ava has had a great career at Pennridge. She came in as a freshman and quickly worked her way up to varsity by her sophomore year when she really found her calling in this sport as an outside shooter. Ava has two different deadly shots. She has a very good hard, fast-paced shot, and she also has really perfected the lob shot, which is a specialty that you don’t see often in water polo. More so in women’s water polo, but it’s a very effective shot that she has really honed in on. As a junior, Ava was voted onto third team all-state, second team all-conference and second team all-league. As a senior, she was voted honorable mention all-state and third team all-conference. Ava was one of our leading goal scorers, probably second or third on the team every year she played varsity. She was a weapon on offense and defense, and we’re super excited to see her head up to Siena College to continue playing water polo.”
About Ava:
Favorite food: French fries with ketchup
Favorite movie: Christmas Vacation
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite artists: Taylor Swift & Luke Combs
- Log in to post comments
