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 2026 season.

“This class brings together great experience from across the globe,” said Coach Pickard. “We have a group that has played for fantastic programs with very high-level experience, and I think they will help to grow the level and culture in our gym from day one.”

A class of five, Pickard brings in four freshmen and one transfer to add to the talented returning student-athletes. The incoming class of 2026 hails from the United States (Ohio and Texas) along with two international athletes from Turkey and Japan.

Mina Benucci

MB | 5-11 | Zushi, Kanagawa, Japan | Thailand-Japan National High School Select Team & U21 National Team | Kawasaki Tachibana High School | College of Southern Idaho

Quick Facts: Benucci arrives at UAlbany following a successful collegiate career at the College of Southern Idaho. She earned Scenic West All-Conference honors in both 2024 (second team) and 2025 (first team), while also collecting multiple defensive player of the week recognitions and three all-tournament team selections in 2025. Internationally, she trained with the Japan U21 National Team and previously competed with the Thailand-Japan National High School Select Team.

Pickard on Benucci: “Mina comes east from the College of Southern Idaho with great experience at a high level. She is quick off the ground and has a great court vision which will help our group of middles. She has an interesting background with her heritage and I’m excited to see how she develops in our system.”

Addy Bianchini

S | 5-11 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Northern Kentucky Youth Volleyball Club | William Mason High School

Quick Facts: From Cincinnati, Ohio, Bianchini capped her high school career in the Greater Miami Conference as one of its top performers. She earned GMC Player of the Year honors and was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection, while also adding two first team all-district honors and a second team all-Ohio recognition. In addition to volleyball, she was a four-year basketball player at the high school level.

Pickard on Bianchini: “Addy is an ultra-competitive setter coming to us from the Midwest. She is the type of player that will do whatever it takes to improve her team. She grew up with brothers, and I think that is evident in how she approaches each and every rep on the floor.”

Madison Kyle

DS/L | 5-8 | Lebanon, Ohio | Mintonette Volleyball Club | Lebanon High School

Quick Facts: A standout from Lebanon, Ohio, Kyle joins the Great Danes following a strong high school career highlighted by consecutive first team All-ECC honors in 2024 and 2025. She also earned first team all-District 15 recognition as a senior, capping off a consistent run of high-level performance.

Pickard on Kyle: “Madison comes to us from Mintonette Volleyball Club in Ohio with a great tradition of winning against high-level competition. She has a very high court IQ and can see the court better than most players her age. She will add depth to our defensive cohort and help us to raise our level every day.”

Lily Lott

OH | 5-11 | Katy, Texas | Katy United & Houston Skyline | Seven Lakes High School

Quick Facts: Lily Lott comes to UAlbany as a highly decorated Texan. In her senior season alone, Lott was named to the AVCA’s All-America Watchlist and the Best and Brightest Team and THSCA First Team Academic All-State along with several awards from the GHVCA - All Star, All-Academic, and Postseason Team. The 2024 AVCA Phenom Watchlist member graduated high school a three-time all-district, academic all-district, and GHVCA All-Academic honoree. 

Pickard on Lott: “Lily is a great addition to the team as an outside hitter. She is just starting to scratch the surface having played a different position for most of her career. She is a fantastic teammate and has already started forming bonds with the team. I’m excited to have her in the gym every day.”

Nil Özer

MB | 6-2 | Istanbul, Turkey | Galatasaray Sports Club | Okyanus High School

Quick Facts: From Turkey, Nil Özer brings international experience after earning MVP and All-Tournament Team honors while playing with her U20 team at the 2025 Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia. While at the Global Challenge, she helped her team, the PSA Fire Ants, to a third-place finish.

Pickard on Özer: “Nil comes to us and adds to our Turkish depth. She has played both domestically and internationally and is highly recommended by coaches that are considered to be top of the field. Her ability to patrol the net will help our defensive side immensely. She has already connected with the team, and the players can’t wait to play with her.”

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