Daemen University Athletics

AMHERST, N.Y. - Daemen College Head Women's Volleyball Coach Stephanie Albano announced the addition of a special member to the program as 11-year old Ava Hackett of Darien Center, N.Y. was formally introduced during a press conference today at Lumsden Gymnasium.

Ava comes to Daemen through a partnership with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses. Core to their model is harnessing the power of teamwork by matching these courageous kids with college athletic teams. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto local college athletic teams and, to the greatest extent possible, become an official member of the team for the duration of their treatment and beyond.

"We are very excited to officially welcome Ava to our program," said Albano. "Our team has had some opportunities to interact with Ava and her family over the last few months, but until now it's all been done virtually. The Team IMPACT delegates from our program - Allison Post, Georgia Wicker, Loren Alberts and Sam Logan - have done an incredible job introducing Ava to our program and helping to plan today's signing event. We are very much looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with Ava in person, and we sincerely hope she enjoys her experience with us.

Ava is the daughter of Anthony and Ann Hackett. She's experienced health complications throughout her life after being born just 24 weeks into pregnancy and at a weight of just over a pound. She was hospitalized for the first 455 days of her life and still needed the assistance of a ventilator and feeding tube after coming home. Today, Ava is excited about making new friends with the Daemen volleyball team and learning how to play the sport.

Learn more about Team IMPACT at goteamimpact.org.