Texas Border Business
RIO GRANE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Head Coach Todd Lowery announced on Thursday the signings of 5-11 outside hitter Yamsin da Silvaand 5-9 junior setter Emily Holder for the 2020 season.
Da Silva comes to UTRGV from Trinity Valley Community College, where she earned All-American Honorable Mention, All-Region and All-Conference honors. As a sophomore, Da Silva averaged 4.15 kills on .300 hitting, 0.34 aces, 3.34 digs and 0.71 blocks per set. As a freshman, she averaged 2.66 kills, 1.20 digs and 0.23 blocks per set.
Originally from Guaramirim, Santa Catarina, Brazil, da Silva went to high school at Colégio Amplom and played club volleyball for Abel Volleyball-Brusque, leading her team to U16 and U17 state championships, 2016 and 2017 JEB championships, and 2017 championships in Taça Paraná, the Volleyball Cup, and the Festival International of Estrela.
“Yazmin will add experience, ball control and defense to our pin hitter position,” Lowery said. “We look for her to come in and compete right away.”
Holder joins UTRGV after playing three years at Belton High School, where she racked up the accolades. As a senior, Holder was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Watch List and the Super-Centex Team. She was also the District 12-6A Most Valuable Setter and the Belton High School Most Valuable Player. As a junior, Holder was recognized as an AVCA Volleyball Phenom, the district most valuable setter and Belton’s best offensive player. As a sophomore, Holder earned All-State Honorable Mention and First Team All-District honors while leading her team to a bi-district championship. In the classroom, Holder earned Academic All-State honors as a senior and Academic All-District honors during each of her three seasons.
Holder also played with the Waco Junior Volleyball Club, earning a spot on the USA Volleyball Junior National All-Tournament Team in 2019 and leading as team captain every year from 2016-19. Holder helped her team to a fifth place finish at the 2019 USA Volleyball National Tournament and a second place finish at the AVCA National Qualifiers.
“The first time we saw Emily play, her love of playing the game jumped out at us,” Lowery said. “She loves to be in gym and that, along with a great skill set, makes us super excited for the future in the setting position.”
