News
July 28, 2015Defending Champs Welcome Four New Faces
Siena volleyball takes aim at its 10th MAAC Championship this fall with a new roster that includes three incoming freshman and a transfer student with two years of eligibility. Julia Burzynski, Kalehua Katagiri, Annie Stock and Darby Taylor are all set to begin their Siena careers in August.
Burzynski (Dayton, N.J.) is a 6-1 outside hitter who is expected to be a major contributor. She led South Brunswick to a 25-3 record as a junior when she tallied 242 kills, 55 aces and 111 digs. Burzynski was named the Home News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year and the Star Ledger All-Middlesex Player of the Year in 2013. She saw her senior year cut short after tearing her ACL (10/15/15), but still managed All-Conference and Division All-Star Team accolades while repeating as her team MVP.
“Julia is a solid athlete with great ball control,” Siena volleyball coach Garvey Pierre said. “She has a lot of good days coming ahead, and will be a great addition to Siena volleyball.”
Katagiri (Kaneohe, HI) continues Siena’s tradition of exceptional recruits from Hawaii, hailing from the same hometown as all-time program great Taylor Akana ‘13. As a sophomore libero at Washington University in St. Louis, Katagiri tallied 673 digs on her way to earning AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and First Team All-Central Region honors. She also received First Team All-UAA honors, was a three-time UAA Defensive Athlete of the Week, and an Academic All-UAA selection. Katagiri helped Washington to a 35-win season and the Regional Finals of the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2014.
“Kalehua’s numbers speak for themselves – 39 digs in a match, 673 for the season,” Pierre said. “I’m just happy to have her on my side of the net.”
Stock (Caroga Lake, NY) is an accomplished student athlete who was recently named Female Athlete of the Year at nearby Johnston High School. She was selected Class B First Team All-State three straight years and was the Foothills League MVP as a junior and senior. As a freshman, Stock earned recognition as one of the top-59 freshman in America, and a sophomore she was selected an AVCA Phenom Player, earning the opportunity to showcase her skills in Kentucky. An excellent student, Stock was named a Scholar Athlete all four years at Johnstown.
“Annie has great knowledge of the game and can be used as a utility player,” Pierre said. “She brings a lot of depth to our team, and we feel blessed to have her on our squad.”
Taylor (Thorold, ON) enjoyed a decorated scholastic career in Canada, most recently representing Team Ontario in the Canadian Summer Games. Taylor helped lead Eden High School to the OFSAA (Ontario Championships) AA Championship in 2014, earning team MVP honors the last two seasons. She played her club volleyball for the Halton Hurricanes, the top club team in Ontario, guiding the squad to the 16U Provincial Championship. Prior to fully committing to the hardwood, Taylor excelled in the sand, winning the 14U Canadian National Beach Volleyball Championships.
“Darby is bringing an accomplished background and maturity beyond her years,” Pierre said. “She is an all-around player who could make an impact as in her first year.”
Siena opens the 2015 season August 28 in the Georgia Tech Invitational.
