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Volleyball Welcomes Nine Newcomers This Fall

7/6/2026 2:00:00 PM

Garden City, N.Y. - With sights set on 2026, the Adelphi University volleyball team will welcome eight new members to the program this fall, announced head coach Danielle MacKnight. 

Katie Waterman

     Name: Katie Waterman
     Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
     Previous School: Mechanisburg Area Senior HS
     Height: 5-8

     Position: Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

 

Prominent accolades from High School: 

  • Commonwealth Plater of the Year
  • Two-time Commonwealth First Team selection
  • District 3 4A All-District First Team
  • PVCA 4A All-District First Team
  • Three year varsity letterwinner
  • Accumulated over 500 kills and 500 digs
We're thrilled to have Katie joining our team. She brings an infectious energy and passion for the game that elevates those around her. Her versatility allows her to impact the match in both the front and back row, and we believe her athleticism, competitiveness, and willingness to do whatever the team needs will make her a valuable addition to our program.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Abby Smith

     Name: Abby Smith
     Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
     High School: Prairie Ridge HS
     Position: Right Side

     Height: 5-11


     Prominent accolades from HS: 

  • 2025 Second Team All-Area
  • High school team placed fourth in the state in 2025 and third in 2024
  • Played for Sky High Volleyball Club

 

Abby will join our squad with great experience and ability. With those qualities, we will look for her to contribute to our program right away.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Kamryn Hill

    Name: Kamryn Hill
     Hometown: Wesley Chapel, FL
     High School: Wiregrass Ranch HS
     Position: Middle Blocker

     Height: 5-11

 

   Prominent accolades from HS: 

  • 2025  Sunshine Athletic Conference First Team
  • 2025 MVP Keswick Invitational Tournament
  • 2024 Sunshine Athletic Conference Second Team
  • 2024 District 6A Champions
  • 2023 Named to Nike Tournament of Champions Team 
  • Played for REVA 18 Fernando club team
We are looking forward to Kamryn joining our team as an added threat at the net. We believe she'll make a tremendous impact on our program, and we're excited to watch her grow both on and off the court.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Abby Franco VB

    Name: Abby Franco
     Hometown: Carson City, NV
     Previous School: Carson HS
     Position: Outside Hitter

     Height: 6-1

 

   Prominent accolades from High School: 

  • 5A Northern Nevada Player of the Year 
  • Two-time First Team All-Region selection
  • Made Second Team All-Region as a sophomore
  • Three year varsity letterwinner
  • Named to the 2023 and 2024 JVA Watchlist
We're very excited to welcome Abby to our program. She brings outstanding size, athleticism, and ability to our team, and we believe she has the talent to make an immediate impact. Abby's skill set and competitive drive will allow her to contribute right away, and we're looking forward to seeing the difference she'll make both on and off the court.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Ellie Zhang

   Name: Ellia Zhang
     Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY
     Previous School: Hofstra
     Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist

     Height: 5-1

 

   Prominent accolades from high school: 

  • Played varsity volleyball for three years under coach Tara Krinsky
  • Competed at the club level for Club Ace Long Island
  • Earned All-County Honorable Mention honors in 2025
Ellia had the opportunity to join us this spring after transferring from nearby Hofstra. She has a great serve and we know she will contribute defensively for our team this fall.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Ada Isik

    Name: Ada Isik
     Hometown: Izmir, Turkey
     Previous School: University of Idaho
     Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist

     Height: 5-3

 

   Prominent accolades from High School: 

  • Four-year varsity letter winner at Isikkent Anatolian High Schoo
  • Earned a second-place finish at the District Governor's Cup
  • Voted team captain all four seasons of high school competition
  • Competed on the Arkas club team for three seasons and one season with Izmirspor
Our staff really enjoyed the opportunity to work with Ada in the gym this spring. She quickly adapted to the speed and competitiveness of the defensive position, demonstrating both her athleticism and eagerness to learn. We're excited to see her continue to develop and look forward to the contributions she'll make to our team this fall.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Maya Meyers

     Name: Maya Meyers
     Hometown: Conifer, CO
     Previous School: Confier HS
     Position: Middle Blocker

     Height: 6-0

 

   Prominent accolades from High School: 

  • 4A All State Honorable Mention as a junior
  • Two-time 1st Team All Conference selection
  • Academic All State First Team
  • As a junior was #1 in 4A League for hitting percentage and for total blocks
  • Received Honor Roll recognition all four years of high school 
We expect that Maya will contribute both offensively and defensively for us. It is exciting because we will travel to her home state for an early season tournament in September.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Morgan Meyer

Name: Morgan Meyer
     Hometown: Gilbert, AZ
     Previous School: Campo Verde HS
     Position: Outside Hitter

     Height: 6-1

 

   Prominent accolades from High School: 

  • Earned a spot on varsity as a freshman
  • Two-time Honorable Mention honoree
  • 5A Second Team All-Region as a senior 
  • Named to the Payson All-Tournament Team
Morgan will come in competing on the pin. Morgan has great power on her swing. We look forward to see what she will bring for our program!
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight
Isabella Assaley

Name: Isabella Assaley
     Hometown: Williamston, SC
     Previous School: Indiana Tech
     Position: Setter

     Height: 6-1

 

   Prominent accolades from Indiana Tech: 

  • Totaled 602 assists in 123 sets played over the last two seasons 
  • Added 33 service aces in 40 matches played
  • Was named All-Academic 
  • Played for the Carolina Rogue club team
  • Earned MVP honors as A C Flora High School
Isabella will add depth to our setter position, adding college experience and the ability to run a 5-1 to our repertoire. I look forward to seeing how our competition rises in this position right away.
Head Coach Danielle MacKnight

MacKnight enters her 20th season at the head of the Adelphi University volleyball program in 2026 and in that time has brought the team to the NCAA tournament 16 times.