ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany volleyball program and head coach Josh Pickard have announced the addition of five newcomers for the upcoming 2020 season. Hannah Rowe, Allie Sturgess, Naliah Grannell, ShaLi Niu and Regan Wright will join the Great Danes this fall. 
 
"Kudos to Adam for his work on this year's recruiting class.  This class is helping to give us some depth that we lost in our amazing graduating class.  We look to raise the level of play in our gym and I think this class will help us get better every day."
 

 
Hannah Rowe I Outside Hitter I 6-1 I Saxonburg, PA 
 
Rowe joins the Great Danes after earning three volleyball letters at Knoch High School. She has earned a wide variety of athletic awards which includes First Team All-State, First Team All-Section, First Team All-State and First Team WPIAL. Rowe was also tabbed Butler Eagle Athlete of the Year in 2019, and WPIAL MVP. Closing out her high school career, she tallied 673 kills, 212 blocks and 522 digs. 
 
"Hannah is an exceptional athlete whose athleticism will make her an asset for years to come.  Hannah is a state champion in both volleyball and high jump and those skills are going to translate well to the college game."

 
 
Allie Sturgess I Defensive Specialist I 5-9 I Stony Brook, N.Y.
 
Sturgess earned four high school letters and played for the Academy Club Team. She was varsity captain in 2019-20, and led her high school team to a 12-5 record. Sturgess was named MVP twice, Suffolk County Super 7, All County twice, and All-State honors in 2019. She also closed out her high school campaign earning Player of the Year accolades. At UAlbany, she intends to major in Business Development. 
 
"It's always great to get a homegrown player to stay in New York.  Allie competed for a great club and has experience that will help her fit well into our team.  She has played 6 rotations in the past which gives her the opportunity to help the team in many areas."
 

 
Naliah Grannell I Middle Blocker I 6-0 I Hamden, CT
 
Grannell joins UAlbany after playing club for the New England Shock. An All-Area and All-SCC First Team honoree, she tallied 195 blocks, 321 digs and 419 kills in her high school career. Grannell's intended major is Biology.
 
"We are very excited to get an athlete like Naliah in our gym.  Her ceiling in volleyball has yet to be reached and her drive get there is tremendous.  Naliah is the type of player to give it her all every day to make herself and her team better."
 
 
 
 ShaLi Niu I Right Side/Setter I 6-1 I Laie, HI
 
Niu, a transfer from George Mason, is a four-year letter winner at Kahuku High School. The junior was also tabbed to the First Team OIA East College, VaSID Rookie Team, a two-time A10 Rookie of the Week and earned UMBC All-Tournament Team accolades. At George Mason, Niu averaged 2.63 kills per set, had a career-high 28 kills vs. Duquesne, 320 total digs, and 127 blocks. At UAlbany, she intends to major in Public Health.
 
"We are very excited to get a player like ShaLi who comes from a great volleyball family.  She has college experience which is invaluable when coming into a team.  I'm excited to see her level of play in our gym."
 

 
Regan Wright I Outside Hitter I 5-11 I Houston, TX.
 
Wright, a transfer from Holy Cross, was tabbed to the Patriot League Returning Watchlist, led the Patriot Service Aces, District 21-6A MVP, and AVCA Phenom. Along with playing in high school, she played club for the Texas Tornados.  Wright's intended major is History and Political Science. 
 
"Regan is the type of player that will come in and compete right away.  I knew from when I first spoke to her that she has a competitive drive that will fit in great with the team.  She also comes from an outstanding volleyball family which has helped her grow into the player she is today."