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Sierra’s Altadonna signs with Division I Menlo College
Altadonna signing
Sierra senior Owen Altadonna is all smiles during his signing ceremony at Rage Volleyball Club in Ripon. He has committed to play Division I volleyball for Menlo College. - photo by MICHAEL JOHNSON

Sierra High School middle hitter Owen Altadonna has always been up for a challenge.

Three-and-a-half years ago, the then-14-year-old showed up to Rage Volleyball Club in Ripon as a “work in progress,” as his coaches put it, and left the club as one of the best middle hitters to have ever played for the organization.

Altadonna’s next challenge took a large step forward on Thursday evening, as he formally announced his intention to play Division I volleyball at Menlo College in Atherton for the next four years.

“I couldn’t be more excited to play at the next level,” Altadonna said in front of a crowd of his family and friends. “As a smaller middle, I know I have my work cut out for me, but I am confident I’ll be able to keep improving and doing what it takes to make a difference for Menlo.”

A broken finger that required surgery kept Altadonna sidelined for a chunk of his senior campaign at Sierra, but the standout was able to return for the stretch run in league play for Sierra, leading the Timberwolves to a third place in the Valley Oak League.

Altadonna earned all-league honors in the VOL in 2023 and 2024 and was named the 2024 Valley Oak League Most Outstanding Player as a junior. Altadonna finished his high school career at Sierra with 695 total kills and 257 total blocks in 255 total sets played.

“I can’t thank my parents enough for helping me get here,” Altadonna said. “A lot of travel, a lot of weekends taken up, but they’ve supported me from day 1, and the sacrifices they’ve made for me are things I’ll never forget.”

As Altadonna’s Rage coaches spoke to the crowd in attendance, a prevailing theme seemed to shine through.

Altadonna signing
Sierra High volleyball standout Owen Altadonna is joined by his family — father Vincent, sister, Chloe and mother Aimee Edwards-Altadonna — Thursday at his special signing event at Rage Volleyball Club.

In Altadonna, Menlo is getting a talented athlete who is willing to put in the work to get better.

“Owen is one of the most coachable players to come through our program,” Rage Boys Volleyball Director Carl Wheeler said. “We held him accountable during his time here, sometimes with some tough love that a lot of kids have a hard time taking. Owen took hard coaching well and kept improving into the athlete we knew he could be.”

Altadonna talked about how he has his work cut out for him going to the Division I level.

“I’m really just ready to get to work doing something I’ve dreamt of for a long time,” he said. “I’ve set some goals for myself, by the time I am a junior I want to be MPSF first-team.”