Johnson Joins Wolverine Program as Transfer
11/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan water polo head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi announced today (Wednesday, Nov. 19) the addition of transfer Danielle Johnson (Walnut Creek, Calif./Las Lomas HS) to the Wolverine program. Johnson, a two-year standout at Loyola Marymount University, will join Michigan in January with two years of eligibility remaining.
"Danielle is everything you look for in a water polo player," said Leonardi. "She has size, speed, length and athleticism. She's is versatile; she can play at the center position or on the perimeter offense and she can match up with big attackers and defend post-up options. She's got experience playing at a high level during her first two years of college. She can come in and help us immediately. We are planning to redshirt her this upcoming season so she can transition back to school, train and pick up our system of play. She is very intelligent. She fits the Michigan profile perfectly."
Johnson, a Utility, appeared in 65 games over her two seasons at LMU, accumulating 45 goals, 10 assists, 73 steals and 64 drawn exclusions over the stretch. As a freshman in 2013, she earned All-Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) honorable mention and Freshman All-WWPA honors. Out of the pool, she is a two-time ACWPC All-Academic honoree, twice earning "outstanding" distinction for the highest level of achievement, and earned league academic honors from the WWPA and Golden Coast Conference.
A native of Walnut Creek, Calif., Johnson earned several All-America honors during her prep career at Las Lomas High School, including first team honors from KAI-Sports (2010, '11) and NISCA/Speedo (2011). She was twice named California North Coast Section (NCS) Division II and Diablo Foothill Athletic League (DFAL) MVP (2010, '11) and selected as the Bay Area News Group's 2011 Water Polo Player of the Year. During her tenure, Las Lomas captured three DFAL titles and the 2011 CIF NCS championship. A Junior Olympic and ODP participant, Johnson earned three Junior Olympic All-America honorable mention accolades. She was a three-time All-DFAL selection in swimming and earned All-America honors in the 400 freestyle relay.
Johnson, who is expected to redshirt this upcoming season in preparation for 2015-16, joins Michigan's class of four incoming freshmen to round out the program's newcomers. Among those who signed a National Letter of Intent during this month's early period was her younger sister, Kimberly.
"We are fortunate to have both Danielle and Kimberly join the Michigan water polo family," said Leonardi. "Their parents [Ron and Carol Johnson] must be very proud!"
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Communications Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
