Women's Volleyball Lands Three Recruits In 2021 Class

By By Mike Miranto, Sr. Associate A.D. for External Operations & Communications

11/19/2020 11:30:00 AM

AMHERST, N.Y. - Head coach Stephanie Albano formally announced three 2021 recruiting commitments for the Daemen College women's volleyball team today. Local product Kate Ryan (Buffalo, N.Y./Mt. Mercy) joins out-of-state recruits Brianna Martin (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) and Amelia Armstrong (River Falls, Wisc./River Falls) each signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Daemen, beginning in the Fall 2021 semester.

Each of the signees had their commitments informally announced via social media last week. They join a Daemen program that is preparing for an unorthodox spring season after fall competitions were postponed due to COVID-19. The Wildcats have won two East Coast Conference regular season titles, an East Coast Conference tournament title and made two NCAA tournament berths since 2016. They're coming off a 16-12 campaign in 2019.

How many NLI’s did we have signed today? 3????

Alright, alright, alright?? ?? pic.twitter.com/Z6TFNoKIUg
— Daemen Women’s VB (@DaemenWVB) November 13, 2020

Coach Albano on Kate Ryan: “Kate is a lanky lefty with a natural arm swing and a big blocking presence. When she puts it all together, she’s going to be a forced to be reckoned with.” pic.twitter.com/zqfTtTQndI
— Daemen Women’s VB (@DaemenWVB) November 13, 2020

Coach Albano on Brianna Martin: “Bri is an athletic, fast-twitched middle with a love for learning the game. She has an energetic and positive personality and will raise the mindset and competitiveness in our gym.” pic.twitter.com/HLgFPpz0Fk
— Daemen Women’s VB (@DaemenWVB) November 13, 2020

Coach Albano on Amelia Armstrong: “Amelia is a very versatile player having played all three attacking positions throughout her high school career. Her experience and athleticism will give her an opportunity to compete and make an impact from day one.” pic.twitter.com/obaAEGkMlh
— Daemen Women’s VB (@DaemenWVB) November 13, 2020

While our entire recruiting class is not yet complete, the goal for 2021 was to really address the middle blocker and right side positions. We've been hit hard by graduation at those positions recently, including those graduating next spring. Kate, Brianna and Amelia will increase the physicality and level of play in our gym, and provide us with much needed depth at the middle blocker and right side positions. Most importantly, they are all high character people who are strong students in the classroom. I look forward to seeing them grow and develop over their four years here at Daemen.

- Head Coach Stephanie Albano

KATE RYAN // 5'11" // OH/RS // BUFFALO, N.Y. // MT. MERCY ACADEMY

Four-year varsity player for the Mt. Mercy Magic and coach Brittany Sanscraite
Has served as team captain since her sophomore year
Two-time team MVP
Two-time Second Team All-Catholic
Earned Second Team All-Western New York honors as a junior
Also competed for Niagara Frontier Volleyball Club
Second straight year with a commitment from a Msgr. Martin Athletic Association player (Jasmine Brundage - St. Mary's of Lancaster)
Will major in Marketing
Coach Albano Quote: “Kate is a lanky lefty with a natural arm swing and a big blocking presence. When she puts it all together, she's going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

BRIANNA MARTIN // 6'0" // MB // MUNDELEIN, ILL. // MUNDELEIN HIGH SCHOOL

Three-year varsity player for the Mundelein Mustangs and coach George Dressen
Led the team to their first regional semifinal appearance in 20 years as a sophomore
Recipient of the North Suburban Conference Sportsmanship Award
High Honor Roll student
Also competed for Adversity Volleyball Club
Becomes the sixth player from the state of Illinois to commit to Daemen since 2017 (2020: Vanessa Kuliga - Glenville, Ill., Dunja Masic - McHenry, Ill.; 2019: Loren Alberts - Huntley, Ill.; 2017: Georgia Wicker - Woodstock, Ill., Ali Greenwood - North Aurora, Ill.)
Will major in Physical Therapy
Coach Albano Quote: “Bri is an athletic, fast-twitched middle with a love for learning the game. She has an energetic and positive personality and she will raise the mindset and competitiveness in our gym."

AMELIA ARMSTRONG // 6'0" // MH/OH // RIVER FALLS, WISC. // RIVER FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

Two-year varsity player for the River Falls Wildcats and coach Sara Kealy
Led the team to a sectional championship and their fifth straight state tournament appearance earlier this fall
Also competed for Kokoro Volleyball Club
Becomes the 11th player from a Midwestern state to commit to Daemen since 2017 (2020: Vanessa Kuliga - Glenville, Ill., Dunja Masic - McHenry, Ill., Jordan Martin - Fort Wayne, Ind. [transfer]; 2019: Loren Alberts - Huntley, Ill., Lexi Prokopius - Independence, Ohio, Mickaley Monahan - Saline, Mich.; 2018 - Isa McCaffrey -North Royalton, Ohio; 2017: Georgia Wicker - Woodstock, Ill., Ali Greenwood - North Aurora, Ill., Jenn Heritz - Granger, Ind., Abby Francis - Goodrich, Mich.)
Will also become the first player in program history hailing from the state of Wisconsin
Undeclared major
Coach Albano Quote: “Amelia is a very versatile player having played all three attacking positions throughout her high school career. Her experience and athleticism will give her an opportunity to compete and make an impact from day one."

Daemen College features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Read More