BOSTON, Mass. - The University at Albany women’s volleyball program earned five America East end-of-season awards, highlighted by sophomore Maria Olga Siapani being named the 2025 Setter of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday.

Bryant led the league with eight total selections, including Player of the Year. UMBC followed with seven honorees and Coaching Staff of the Year. New Hampshire and UAlbany each secured five awards, with the Great Danes earning one major honor.

For the full list of this year’s honorees, see attached.

Siapani collected two awards with Setter of the Year and First Team honors. Graduate outside hitter Shynelle Woroniuk also secured two recognitions with First Team and All-Academic selections, while redshirt junior middle blocker Gabriella Karman earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team.

Setter Maria Olga “Mo” Siapani followed up her Rookie of the Year campaign with an even stronger sophomore season, becoming one of the most influential playmakers in the America East. Running UAlbany’s offense through all 24 matches, she posted 772 assists and averaged 9.08 per set while adding 246 digs and 19 aces. Her poise, pace control, and improved defensive presence highlighted her development as she directed a UAlbany attack that hit .223 as a team.

Graduate outside hitter Shynelle Woroniuk joined Siapani on the All-Conference First Team, closing her UAlbany career with a standout season on both sides of the ball. She led the Great Danes with 349 kills (3.84 per set), recorded 200 digs, totaled 24 aces, and added 33 blocks across 91 sets. A consistent six-rotation presence, Woroniuk delivered 21 double-digit kill performances and six double-doubles. She also earned All-Academic distinction while completing her MBA in marketing with a 3.87 GPA.

Redshirt junior middle blocker Gabriella Karman earned a Second Team nod after posting one of the top seasons among conference middles. She hit .345 with 165 kills and recorded 102 total blocks, averaging more than one per set. Karman anchored UAlbany’s net defense throughout league play and added 30 aces, providing steady production in every phase of the game.

The Great Danes now set their focus on the upcoming America East Championship. UAlbany is set to face #2 Bryant in Baltimore for the America East Semifinals on Friday, November 21, at 8:00 PM. The winner of this match will advance to the championship game on Saturday, November 22, at 4:00 PM to face the winner of #1 UMBC and #4 Binghamton.

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