Volleyball: 6 New Players Join 2025 Roster

App State Volleyball Boosts 2025 Roster With Six New Talents

Boone, N.C. – App state Mountaineers Are Set To Elevate Their Volleyball Program With The Addition Of Six Talented Student-Athletes For The 2025 season. Head Coach Chad Sutton Expressed Enthusiasm About The New Recruits, Highlighting Their Championship Experience And Extraordinary Character. This Infusion of Talent Includes Five Transfers And One Incoming Freshman, Each Bringing A Unique Skill Set To The Team.

“My Staff And I Are Super Excited with Our Signing Class This Spring,” Said Sutton. “this Staff Has done An Unbelievable Job Coming On Board And Instantly Getting To work To Keep This Roster Competitive And Full Of Great People.”

Meet The New Mountaineers

The App State Volleyball Team Is Gearing Up For An Exciting 2025 Season With These New Additions:

Maria Contreras | Setter | Tepic, Mexico | HS Valley Highway | Santa Fe College

Maria Contreras, Hailing From Tepic, Mexico, Joins App State As A Setter After Two Seasons At Santa Fe College. During her Time With The Saints,she Played In 45 Matches And 156 Sets,Earning First Team All-FCSAA conference Honors. In 2024, Contreras Averaged an Extraordinary 7.29 Assists Per set.

Prior To Her Collegiate Career, Contreras Represented Mexico On The U21 National Team At The Women’s NORCECA Tournament. She Also Participated In The FIVB U18 World Championships And U19 Pan American Cup. Contreras Plans to Study Exercise Science At App State.

“I Chose App state As I Was Looking for A Competitive Program With A Strong Support System To Help Me Grow As A Player And Person,” Says Contreras.”I Think App state Has A Great Community For Student-Athletes, Which Made me Feel Confident In Making This Decision.”

According to Coach Sutton, “Maria Is An Exciting Player With Her Unique Length And Skill At The setting Position. She Will Be A Matchup Nightmare And Bring Different Skill Sets to The position Group. I Fully Expect Big Things From Maria During Her Time Here And Believe She Has The Potential To Be A Game Changer For Us During her Time Here.”

Bella Dafforn | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Indianapolis, Ind. | Hamilton Southeastern HS

Bella Dafforn, A Defensive Specialist/Libero From Indianapolis, Ind., Will Be Joining The Mountaineers as A Freshman. Dafforn Had A Decorated Career At Hamilton southeastern,Where She Was A Three-Time Defensive Player Of The Year,Three-Time All-Conference Honoree,And Two-Time All-County Player. She Was Also An All-Captain Award Recipient And Named To The USA High School Preseason Team. Dafforn Also Excelled With The Circle City Club Team, Achieving A Fifth-Place Finish At Nationals on Two Occasions.Academically, Dafforn Earned The Biomedical Student Of The Year Award.

Dafforn Intends To Major In Biology At App State. Her Interests Include Church Activities, Spending Time With Friends, Babysitting, And Playing Pickleball.

“I Chose app State Because Of The Volleyball Coaching Staff, The Lovely Campus, And Education,” Dafforn Explains.

Sutton States, “Bella Is A Great Addition To Our Program. Bella Is A Defensive Specialist From Indiana With Multiple back Row Position experiences. She Has A Great Platform,A Nasty Serve,And Hails From An Area That just Produces Top-Tier Defensive Specialists Year After Year. She Is No Stranger To high Expectations Or Success. She Will Fit In Seamlessly And Have A Very Bright Career Here At App State.”

MeMe davis | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Gainesville, Fla. | Gainesville HS | Mercer

MeMe Davis, A Gainesville, Fla. Native, Will Join App State As A Defensive Specialist/Libero After Playing At Mercer. Davis Contributed To The Bears’ SoCon Regular Season Title, Undefeated Record At Hawkins Arena, SoCon Championship match Appearance, And The Program’s First Postseason Appearance In The NIVC Tournament. she Earned second Team All-SoCon, SoCon All-Freshman Team, And SoCon All-Tournament Team Honors. Davis Amassed 619 Digs, Averaging 5.03 Digs per Contest, And Played In 33 Matches For The Bears.

Davis Plans To Study Healthcare Management At App State. She Enjoys Shopping, Hanging out with friends, And Binge-Watching Shows. She Also Has A Background In Majorette Dancing.

“I Chose App State For Athletics,” Davis Said Simply.

Sutton Adds, “MeMe Is A Star. She Is One Of The Most Exciting Players I have ever Been Able To Coach. Having Served As Her Coach This Past Year, I Can Assure You There Is Nothing She Can’t Do On A Volleyball Court. She Is A First Contact Specialist With The Ability To Score From The Libero Position. I Am Beyond Thrilled To Still Be Able To Coach Her.”

Lou Johnson | Middle Blocker | Ocala, Fla. | Trinity Catholic HS | Mercer

Elayna “Lou” Johnson, From Ocala, Fla., Will Join The Mountaineers As A Sophomore Middle Blocker After Playing For Mercer.During The 2024 Season, She Started All 32 matches And Appeared In 112 Sets, Averaging 1.66 Kills Per Set With A Hitting Percentage Of .304. Additionally, Johnson Recorded 76 Blocks (11 Solo, 65 assists) For The Bears. Alongside Davis, johnson Helped Lead the Bears To A Historic Season, Featuring A Conference Regular Season Title, Undefeated Home Record, A League Championship Match Appearance, And The Program’s First Postseason Appearance.

Johnson Plans To Study Business Management At App State. Her Interests Include The Beach, Traveling, Weightlifting, Skateboarding, And Animals. She Has Three brothers, Including A Twin, All Of Whom Play NCAA Division I Football.

“I Chose App State As Of The Location And Because Of The Team atmosphere,” Johnson explains.

Sutton Says, “Lou Is An Absolute Beast. She’s One Of The Hardest Hitting Players I Have Ever Coached And The only Player I Have Ever Seen Deflate A Ball On Contact. lou Personifies Hard Work On The court, In The Gym, And In The Classroom. She Only Knows One Speed And That’s All Out. I Am Very Excited to Add Lou To This Program And Can’t Wait For Her To Get To Work.”

Keionna Mackey | Outside Hitter | Tallahassee, Fla. | Florida State University HS | Santa Fe College, Polk State College, Georgia State

Keionna Mackey, An Outside Hitter From Tallahassee, Fla., Joins The Mountaineers After Stops at Santa Fe College, Polk State College, And Georgia State. In 2024 At Georgia State, Mackey Led The Panthers With 351 Kills, Averaging 3.03 Kills Per Set, Over 30 Matches. She Also Tallied 195 Digs, 36 Aces, And 52 Blocks. In 2023,At Polk State,She Was Named A NJCAA All-American,Earned First Team all-Citrus Conference Honors,And Was A FCSAA State All-Tournament Team Selection. She Also Recorded A Career-High 27 Kills Against Daytona State. In 2022,As A Freshman At Santa Fe College,Mackey Appeared In 70 Sets And 21 Matches,Tallying 211 Kills,Averaging 3.01 Per Set.

Mackey intends To Pursue A Degree In Communications At App State. She Enjoys Outdoor Activities, Going To The Beach, Listening To Music, Going On Adventures, And Trying New Things.

“I Chose App State Because I Want To Be Part Of A Winning Program with A Strong, Driven Culture,” Mackey States. “This Team Is Built On hard Work, Discipline, and Real Support And That’s Exactly The Kind Of surroundings I Thrive In. I Know I’ll Be Free To Be Myself Here, And When I’m Fully myself, I Dominate. Choosing app State Is More Than Just A Decision – It’s A Power Move. It’s The Next Stepping Stone Toward Greatness And Exactly Where I Need To Be To Keep Leveling Up And Chasing Everything I Know I’m Capable Of.”

sutton Declares, “Keionna “Air” Mackey Is A High-Flyer With The Ability To Change The Scoreboard From Anywhere On The Court. She Is A Player I Have Watched Compete For A Long Time Dating Back To High School And Someone I Have always Wanted To Coach. She Has Big Time Ability And Will Immediately Make Her Presence Known As A Senior Pin. big Things Are coming To Boone This Fall And “Air Mack” Is One Of Them.”

Ali Morris | Outside Hitter | knoxville, Tenn. | grace christian Academy | Western Carolina

Ali Morris, An Outside Hitter From Knoxville, Tenn.,will Join The Mountaineers After Three Seasons At Western Carolina. Morris Appeared In 84 Matches And 265 Sets For The Catamounts. In 2024, She Led WCU In Kills, Averaging 3.20 Kills Per Set, And 3.66 Digs Per Set. Additionally, She Recorded 28 Double-doubles During Her Time In Cullowhee.

morris Plans To Study Health Sciences At App State. Her Hobbies Include Golfing And Juggling. She Also Owns A Farm.

“I Chose App State As Of The Coaching Staff And Environment,” Morris States.

Sutton Concludes, “Ali Is A fantastic Senior Talent Coming To Boone. She Is A Player I Have Coached Against The Past Two Years And Have Great Respect For.she Is A Steady But Fiery Competitor Who adds Experience, Versatility, And Dynamic Playmaking To Our Roster. Ali Will Make An Immediate Impact Upon Her arrival.”

2025 Volleyball Roster: Key Stats at A Glance

Player Name	Position	Previous school	Key Highlight
Maria Contreras	Setter	Santa Fe College	7.29 Assists Per Set (2024)
Bella Dafforn	DS/Libero	Hamilton Southeastern HS	3x Defensive Player of The Year
MeMe Davis	DS/Libero	Mercer	619 Digs (2024)
Lou Johnson	Middle Blocker	Mercer	1.66 Kills Per Set (2024)
Keionna Mackey	Outside Hitter	Georgia State	351 Kills (2024)
Ali Morris	Outside Hitter	Western Carolina	3.20 Kills per Set (2024)

The Growing Popularity Of College Volleyball

College Volleyball Continues To Gain Popularity Nationwide,With Increased Viewership And Participation. According To The NCAA, Volleyball Attendance Has Been On The Rise, Reflecting The Sport’s Growing Appeal. Key factors Include Increased Media Coverage, Talented Athletes, And Engaging Team dynamics.

The Sun Belt Conference, Where App State Competes, Has Also Seen A Rise In Volleyball Competitiveness. Programs Are Investing more In Recruiting And Training, Leading To Higher Levels of Play And Increased Fan Engagement.

Pro Tip: Keep An eye On Sun Belt Conference Games For High-Caliber Volleyball Action!

Frequently Asked Questions About App State Volleyball

• When Do The New App State Volleyball Players Start?
  The New app State Volleyball Players Are Expected To Join The Team For The 2025 Season, Beginning With Preseason Training In The Late Summer.
• How Many new Players Joined App State Volleyball?
  Six New Players Are Joining The App State Volleyball Team: Five Transfers And One Freshman.
• Who Is The App State Volleyball Head Coach?
  Chad Sutton Is The Head Coach Of The App State Volleyball Team. He is Excited About The New Recruits And Their Potential Impact.
• What Positions Do The New Volleyball Players Play?
  The New Players Include A Setter (Maria Contreras), Two Defensive Specialists/Liberos (Bella Dafforn, MeMe Davis), A Middle Blocker (Lou Johnson), And Two Outside Hitters (Keionna Mackey, Ali Morris).
• Where Do The App State Volleyball transfers Come From?
  The Transfers Come From Various Institutions, Including Santa Fe College, Mercer, georgia State, and Western Carolina.

What Does This Mean For The mountaineers?

With Such A Diverse And Accomplished Group Of New Players, The App State volleyball Team Is Poised For A Breakthrough Season. The Combination Of Experienced Transfers And Talented Freshmen Could Provide The Depth And Skill Needed To Compete At The Highest Level of The Sun Belt Conference. What Are Your Expectations For The team Next Season? Which New Player Are You Most Excited To Watch?

Share Your Thoughts And Predictions Below!

How will the new players’ diverse skill sets impact the team’s overall strategy and tactics in 2025?

2025 Volleyball Roster: 6 New Players Bringing Fresh Talent

Volleyball fans, get ready for an electrifying season! The 2025 volleyball roster is taking shape, and this year sees the addition of six dynamic new players poised to shake up the game. This article dives deep into the newcomers, thier skills, and what they bring to the table. We will explore their past achievements and anticipate their potential impact on volleyball team strategy and the overall performance of the team. Stay tuned for comprehensive volleyball updates as the season unfolds!

Meet the New Volleyball Recruits

The team’s coaching staff has made some strategic volleyball player selections. These athletes bring diverse skill sets and a renewed sense of competitive spirit. We anticipate a significantly enhanced dynamic on the court, fueling optimism for the coming season. Let’s introduce the players who will be wearing their team colors in 2025.

Player Profiles

Here’s a look at the new additions to the team roster for the 2025 season, along with anticipated positions and key strengths:

Player Name	Position	Key Skill	Coming From
Ava Chen	Outside Hitter	Powerful Spiking	High School All-State
Ben Carter	Middle Blocker	blocking and Court Awareness	National Junior team
Chloe Davis	Setter	Precision passing	USA Olympic training
Daniel Flores	Libero	Remarkable Defense	Club Volleyball Champion
Ella Garcia	Opposite Hitter	Versatile Offense	Academic all-American
Frank hernandez	Outside Hitter	Agility and Court Coverage	Regional MVP

Each player brings unique strengths, promising a well-rounded and formidable team in 2025. This influx of new talent is set to significantly influence team strategy and is already generating excitement among analysts and fans!

Impact and expectations for the 2025 season

The arrival of these six new players is expected to significantly impact the team’s performance. With enhanced blocking, passing, offense and defense, expect to see an improvement in various aspects of the game. The coaching staff is excited about the strategic possibilities these additions offer.

Strategic Advantages

The new additions create a more balanced team. Here’s how:

• Improved Blocking: Ben Carter’s expertise will fortify the front line.
• Enhanced Setter options: Chloe Davis is a world-class athlete bringing precision to the team, which makes this option a positive addition.
• Offensive Power: Ava Chen and Frank Hernandez add powerful attacking options.
• Solid Defense: Daniel Flores’ defensive skills will be very valuable.

These strategic improvements will be vital to success in the coming season. The team is expected to be a contender for the championship; team chemistry will be more important than ever! They will enhance volleyball tactics further!

Key Considerations for 2025

Transitioning to a new team always carries challenges, including the following considerations:

• Building of cohesion: Integrating the new players into the existing team dynamic for maximum effectiveness.
• Strategic Adaptations: Shifting team plays to accommodate new player skill sets.
• Training and Growth: Tailoring practice sessions to integrate the new players and ensure maximum player contribution.

These are the core factors that the coaching staff will be monitoring consistently going forward.

Where to Find the Latest Volleyball Updates

Stay current with the latest news and updates by using the resources provided here; find out about the latest volleyball rankings, volleyball news, and crucial details. Here’s a list:

• Official Team Website: The best place for schedules, rosters, and team announcements.
• Local Sports News: Check local news outlets for daily game announcements, features, and more.
• Social Media: Follow the team on social media to get team updates, behind-the-scenes content, and player features.
• Sports news websites: Visit leading sports websites like ESPN and the BBC Sports section for up-to-date coverage, statistics, and expert analysis.

by following this helpful array of sources,you will get the most reliable details on the latest volleyball news. To get all the information, including volleyball game highlights and more, utilize these options to support your team and enhance your enjoyment of the sport!