ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany women’s volleyball program and head coach Josh Pickard have announced a class of five recruits ahead of the 2025 season.

“This class gives us depth in some positions that we’ve lacked in the past,” said head coach Josh Pickard. “They are a group that has played a lot of volleyball and will integrate into the gym very well. They are high-quality humans all around and we are excited to welcome them to campus.”

A class of five, Pickard brings in three freshmen and two transfers to add to the talented returning student-athletes. The incoming class of 2025 hails from all over the United States (Ohio, California, Georgia, and New York) along with an international athlete from Turkey.

Sophie Burkey

OH/DS | 6-0 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Premier Academy | Perrysburg High School

Quick Facts: Sophie Burkey will join the Great Danes from our Lake Erie neighbor state. A standout on the Perrysburg High School team, she was a two-time Ohio All-State after earning Northern Lakes All-League and OHSAA All-District 7 twice each.

Pickard on Burkey: “Sophie comes to us from a club with a lot of success over the years. She is no stranger to high finishes and brings that level of competition to the gym every day. Her personality is infectious, every individual she deals with has nothing but glowing things to say and we can’t wait to get her in the gym.”

McKenna Collins

OH/RS | 5-11 | Hermosa Beach, Calif. | Mizuno Long Beach | Mira Costa High School | Bryant University

Quick Facts: A sophomore transfer from Bryant, she posted 10 kills, six digs, one block, and one service ace in her collegiate debut as a Bulldog. A four-year member of her high school’s honor roll, she helped lead her volleyball team to a Bay League first-place finish and a CIF Southern Section second-place finish in 2023. The 2023 Prep Dig Athlete to Watch played five seasons for the Mizuno Long Beach Volleyball Club and earned first place in the 2023 Far Western Open Division. Knowledgeable in multiple ways to play volleyball, she was a member of her school’s beach volleyball team for three years.

Pickard on Collins: “McKenna comes to us already having experience in college and the America East Conference. She’s a pin-hitter with a tremendous work ethic and drive to help everyone around her succeed.”

Duri Harden

OH | 6-1 | Milton, Ga. | A5 Volleyball | Milton High School

Quick Facts: A highly decorated high school volleyball athlete, Harden was named the Offensive Player of the Year twice and Defensive Player of the Year once. A three-time first team all-region honoree, she was a four-year captain and two-time team MVP. Making it to the Georgian Final Four in 2024, she was named First Team All-Georgia as a sophomore and a senior. In addition to high school volleyball, Harden was a member of four accomplished teams with her club: 18’s JVA National Champion, 17’s AAU Premier Third Place, 16’s AAU Premier Runner-Up, and 15’s USAV National Champion (as the All-Tournament MVP).

Pickard on Harden: “Duri is an athletic six-rotation outside hitter who feels just as comfortable passing as she does attacking and blocking. She has played a lot of high-level volleyball and we are excited to add a player of her caliber to our gym.”

Ava Schewe

OH | 5-11 | Niskayuna, N.Y. | Spa City Volleyball Club | Niskayuna High School

Quick Facts: As a member of the Niskayuna varsity volleyball team, Ava Schewe helped her team to a sectional title. A four-year member of the varsity squad, she was named First Team All-Star at the conclusion of her final three seasons. Off the court, Schewe also competed on the track and field team.

Pickard on Schewe: “Ava keeps our streak of New York talent coming to UAlbany. She is an outside hitter who is just scratching the surface of what we think she is capable of. Growing up in an athletic family, she knows what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level.”

Elif Yasar

S | 5-9 | Ankara, Turkey | Karayollari Club | Hosdere Sinav College | Stetson

Quick Facts: A graduate transfer from Stetson, Elif Yasar played three seasons with the Hatters and began her collegiate career at Odessa College in Texas. A consistent contributor for all three seasons in Florida, she averaged 5.22 assists and 1.90 digs per set with 17 total aces. During the 2024 season alone, she totaled 11 blocks. Before competing in the NCAA, she competed in the Turkish U17 Championship with Karayollari Sports Club for a second-place finish.

Pickard on Yasar: “Elif brings us tremendous experience at the setting position. She is similar in play style to [Maria Olga Siapani] which gives us great options with the team this year.”

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