Stony Brook Athletics

Courtney Scanlan comes to Daemen after starting her career at Division I Stony Brook

Women's Volleyball 4/18/2016 2:11:00 PM

Volleyball Program Announces Three Signings

AMHERST, N.Y. - The Daemen College volleyball coaching staff announced today the signings of a transfer student-athlete and two incoming freshmen to the program's 2016 recruiting class. Courtney Scanlan (Ellicottville, N.Y./Stony Brook University), Bailey Dolegowski (Marilla, N.Y./St. Mary's of Lancaster) and Jess Kranz (Depew, N.Y./St. Mary's of Lancaster) confirmed their respective verbal commitments recently, and they join class of 2016 recruits Melissa Postek (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South), Meghan Ballou (Eden, N.Y./Eden), Sydney MacInnis (Superior, Colo./Fairview) and Cristina Apostol (Bucharest, Romania/Targu Mures) whose signings were announced last November.

In a combined statement, the volleyball coaching staff consisting of head coach Robert Maxwell, associate head coach Stephanie Albano and assistant coach Kaley Vazquez expressed their collective excitement about the additions, saying "Adding these three to the four outstanding young ladies who joined us in November, will go a long way towards continuing the program's growth that the returning players started last fall. As with the previous additions, Courtney, Bailey and Jess are all great athletes who are hungry to make a contribution to the volleyball program. Having them in the gym will make the competition for playing time more intense. And, we will expect practices to be a lot of hard work as well as fun as we all grow into a team together."

Scanlan, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, comes to Daemen after spending the last two years at Division I Stony Brook University of the America East Conference. She appeared in 19 matches as a true freshman in 2014, helping the Seawolves to a 17-15 record by averaging 0.60 kills per set with a hitting percentage of .220. This past season, Scanlan suffered a season-ending injury after appearing in just two matches, and was granted a medical redshirt from the NCAA; she will have three years of remaining eligibility.

A four-year letter-winner during her scholastic days for the Ellicottville Eagles, Scanlan was named the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Most Valuable Player in Class D after leading her team to a state championship as a junior. As a senior, Scanlan was named Player of the Year in the Cattaraugus County League. In addition to her time on the volleyball court, Scanlan earned six varsity letters in bowling and three in softball.

"We see Courtney as one of the pieces we were missing last year," the coaching staff's statement said. "She will be a force for us at the net and will be the hitter that will open up other parts of our offense. In combination with our returning outside hitters, she will give us more consistency and fire power on our left side."

The duo of Dolegowski and Kranz are just the latest Wildcat signees from the perennial powerhouse program at St. Mary's of Lancaster High School. Both were four-year letter-winners and led the Lancers to four straight Msgr. Martin Athletic Association (MMAA) championships, two New York State Catholic championships and two additional appearances in the state Catholic semifinals. They'll join former Lancers Amber Drzymala (West Seneca, N.Y./St. Mary's of Lancaster) and Ashley Drzymala (West Seneca, N.Y./St. Mary's of Lancaster) on the Daemen roster this fall.

Dolegowski is a 5-foot-8 setter who figures to compete for playing time with incumbent starter Katie McKrell (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) and fellow newcomer MacInnis, while also possibly seeing time as a defensive specialist. A two-time first-team All-Catholic selection, Dolegowski was the MMAA Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-Western New York pick last fall.

"Bailey is another terrific athlete who will contribute to the team in a variety of ways," the coaching staff's statement said. "Her drive on the court will make us all work at a high level."

The 5-foot-8 Kranz will push returners Kailey Ballou (Eden, N.Y./Eden) and Alicia Contreras (Arcadia, Calif./Arcadia) for playing time at libero and defensive specialist, while also providing quality depth at the outside hitter position. She was a second-team All-Catholic selection last fall for coach Don Pieczynski and the Lancers.

"Jess is athletic enough to play multiple positions and her work ethic will be contagious," the coaching staff's statement said. "We expect her presence on the court will improve our overall team defense."

Scanlan, Dolegowski and Kranz will join a Daemen program that is on the rise. A year removed from a 2-27 campaign, Maxwell's squad rebounded in his first year roaming the sidelines to achieve an overall record of 12-17, and a 7-9 mark in East Coast Conference play that placed the Wildcats in a fifth-place tie in the league standings. Losing just two seniors to graduation, the Wildcats are set to return players responsible for 80-percent of their kills, 99-percent of their assists, 97-percent of their service aces and 96-percent of their digs from this past season.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Alicia Contreras: DS; 5' 3"; Junior

#13 Amber Drzymala: OH; 5' 9"; Junior

#10 Ashley Drzymala: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

#1 Kailey Ballou: L; 5' 7"; Freshman

#11 Katie McKrell: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#3 Alicia Contreras
: 5' 3"; Junior
: DS

#13 Amber Drzymala
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OH

#10 Ashley Drzymala
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH

#1 Kailey Ballou
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: L

#11 Katie McKrell
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S