Mike Orazzi

MacKnight Pleased to Announce 2023 Signing Class Following Historic Season

6/5/2023 11:00:00 AM

Garden City, N.Y. - Coming off a historic season where the Adelphi University volleyball program advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen for the first time, Head Coach Danielle MacKnight is thrilled to announce her signing class for the upcoming year.

Name: Katie Brokes
Hometown: Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
High School/High School Mascot: Governor Livingston High School/ Highlanders
Travel Team: Sideout Sports Volleyball Club
Position: L/DS
Height: 5’5
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2x First Team All Conference (Junior and Senior year)
First Team All Group
First Team All County
2x All Conference Honorable Mention (Sophomore and Freshmen Year)
State Sectional Champion (Captain)
Current school record holder for career digs

We are excited to have Katie joining us this fall. Just by watching her compete, her energy is contagious and she will make a great addition to our already talented defensive group.

- Head Coach Danielle MacKnight

Name: Gabrielle Stafford
Hometown: DeWitt, MI
High School/High School Mascot: DeWitt High School/Panthers
Travel Team: Five1
Position: OH
Height: 5’7
Prominent accolades won in HS:

All-Region
All-Conference
Lansing State Journal Athlete of The Week Nominee
Capital Area Activities Conference Senior Scholar Athlete Award
Two-time captain
Two-time Academic All-State
Salutatorian

Gabrielle is a great athlete that we are looking forward to working with. The staff thinks that she will add depth to our already seasoned front line and we anticipate her seamless integration into our attack.

- Head Coach Danielle MacKnight

Name: Madeleine Chaapel
Hometown: Katy, TX
High School/High School Mascot: Katy High School/Tigers
Travel Team: Texas Tornados
Position: OH
Height: 6'0
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2020 All-District Honorable Mention
2021 Second Team All-District
2022 First Team All-District
Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Associatino 2022 Preseason Team
2022 AVCA All-America Watch List
2022 Katy High School MVP

Maddy comes with great playing experience. She is expected to come in and compete with our outsides from the start of preseason, giving us plenty of options when it comes to putting together the best offense for any specific competitor.

The Adelphi University volleyball team will open the 2023 campaign in Michigan during Labor Day weekend - home state of newcomer Stafford and returner Jaydin Nowak. The team is slated to take on four out-of-region opponents in Minnesota Duluth, Indianapolis, Thomas More and hosts, Ferris State. Minnesota Duluth and Ferris State both made the NCAA tournament last season, giving the team a true test to kick off the school year.

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