BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY – St. Francis College Brooklyn women's volleyball Head Coach
Amable Martinez has announced the additions of Bianca Brierre, Alasha Colón, Mackenzie Gilchrist, Naomi Hockless, Simone Jackson, Camelia Meléndez, Cristal Paulino, Amber Phillips, Lainie Putt, Izabella Santiago, Monica Vargo, Elaina Vaughan, and Tessa Winkleman. All 13 student-athletes are set to join the Terriers roster in the Fall of 2021.
"We are extremely excited about the incoming class of freshmen. I think we were able to address many of our needs and add incredible depth to our program. Through this tough time during the pandemic, these young ladies, and their families believed in our vision and committed to be part of what I feel is a bright future. We are not only bringing talent, size, athleticism, power, and energy, but great academic student-athletes with even better character. We are fired up here at SFC with the direction of our volleyball program," said Coach Martinez.
Bianca Brierre | Middle Blocker | Elmont, NY
Brierre is a 5-foot-9, middle blocker from Elmont, NY. She comes to St. Francis from Queensborough Community College where she was a member of the women's volleyball and women's basketball teams. As a member of the women's volleyball team, she recorded 166 kills, hit .256, totaled 252 points, 60 blocks, 54 digs, and 33 aces. Before attending Queensborough, Brierre attended St. Mary's High School and was a member of the volleyball, track & field, and basketball teams. As a member of the volleyball team in high school, she was a two-time Coaches Award winner. Additionally, she claimed Academic All-League honors for academic excellence while participating in volleyball, basketball, and track & field. She played club volleyball for the Bayside Vipers.
"Bianca is a dynamic player with great leaping ability to make up for her size and has the flexibility to play multiple positions. Being the only transfer in our class, she brings a level of maturity and is already physically strong, and a force at the net," noted Coach Martinez.
Alasha Colón | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Carolina, Puerto Rico
Colón is a 5-foot-6, libero/defensive specialist from Carolina, Puerto Rico. She spent her high school career at Academia Presbiteriana Villa Carolina and was a member of the volleyball team. Colón claimed several accolades for her standout performances on the court in high school. She was selected to the 2016 and 2017 CIEM high school tournament All-Star team and was named MVP of the La Merced high school tournament in 2016. In 2018 she was tabbed the Marista Manatí tournament MVP, and in 2019 she earned the Espíritu Santo high school tournament MVP honor. She was also a member of the National Honor Society in high school. Colón played club volleyball for Kali Beach. She chose St. Francis because of its excellent academics and Athletics Department, and will major in Psychology.
"Alasha is considered to be the top libero coming out of Puerto Rico for her class. She brings great serve receive ability with superior defensive skills, and a great deal of positive energy to the court," said Coach Martinez.
Mackenzie Gilchrist | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Woodland, WA
Gilchrist is a 5-foot-10, libero/defensive specialist from Woodland, WA. She comes to St. Francis from Woodland High School where she was a member of the varsity volleyball team. She played club volleyball for NW Reign Volleyball Club. Gilchrist helped lead her high school team to first-place in State in 2018 and 2019. Her 15s team went to nationals and 16s team finished fifth in Regional League. Gilchrist collected honors such as Prep Volleyball Player to Watch, AVCA Phenom Watchlist, Player of the Game during State Tournament in 2018 and 2019, and was selected to the top team in the Continental Division for the USA High Performance Program. Additionally, she claimed the Academic All-State award in 2018 and 2019. Gilchrist comes from a volleyball family as her mother, Marcy was a setter/defensive specialist at Central Washington and Lower Columbia College. Both of her sisters, Madison Gilchrist and Danielle Hutton were setters and now coach volleyball.
"Mackenzie brings a winning attitude coming from one of the top high school programs in the state of Washington. She will impact our serve receive core as she is technically sound and passes at a high rating consistently. She comes from a volleyball family, so naturally she possesses a very high volleyball IQ which she uses to put herself in good positions based on her reads combined with her defensive skills. Mackenzie also has the ability to play multiple positions for us, we are looking forward to having her in Brooklyn," said Coach Martinez.
Naomi Hockless | Middle Blocker | Baytown, TX
Hockless is a 6-foot-0, middle blocker from Baytown, TX. She joins the Terriers from Robert E. Lee High School where she was a four-year member of the varsity volleyball team. During her junior year, she was selected to the All-District Second Team. As a senior, she was tabbed to the All-District First Team. Hockless was extremely involved on campus as she was Class President during her freshman, sophomore, and junior years, and then went on to become Student Body President during her senior year. She also has been a member of the National Honor Society. Hockless played club volleyball for Houston Stellar Volleyball Club. She chose St. Francis because she fell in love with the school, the volleyball program, and the overall atmosphere of the College.
"Naomi possesses a great motor to go with her superior athleticism, she gives us flexibility as she can play middle as well as pin for us. We are excited with her potential," noted Coach Martinez.
Simone Jackson | Middle Blocker/Opposite Hitter | Austin, TX
Jackson is a 5-foot-10, middle blocker/opposite hitter from Austin, TX. She joins the St. Francis women's volleyball program from Westlake High School where she was a member of the volleyball team. During her high school career, she earned District 26-6A Second Team, All-District, and District 26-6A Academic All-District honors. In 2019, her team claimed the District 26-6A Championship. Jackson has been a member of the National Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta Club. She played club volleyball for Austin Skyline Juniors. She chose St. Francis because of its location in Brooklyn, the connection she made with the volleyball team, and its learning environment. Jackson plans to major in Nursing/Biology.
"Simone is a smart player and very physical at the net. She is another player that brings flexibility to our program as she can play middle and right side with her blocking ability and heavy arm," said Coach Martinez.
Camelia Meléndez | Outside Hitter | Caguas, Puerto Rico
Meléndez is a 5-foot-11, outside hitter from Caguas, Puerto Rico. She currently attends Colegio Catolico Notre Dame and is a member of the volleyball team there. She served as a team Co-Captain in 2019 and team Captain in 2020. Meléndez earned three MVP awards in 2018 and two MVP honors in 2019. She has also served as President of the Psychology Club at Colegio Catolico Notre Dame. She played club volleyball for Borinquen Coqui. She chose St. Francis because of the academics and women's volleyball coaching staff. Meléndez intends to major in Biology because she wants to become a doctor in the future.
"Camelia comes to us from a successful high school and club program in Puerto Rico. She has good size at the pin position, has a large array of shots, and a power arm. She fits in well with what we are trying to do here at SFC," Coach Martinez explained.
Cristal Paulino | Middle Blocker | San Juan, Puerto Rico
Paulino is a 6-foot-0, middle blocker from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She comes to St. Francis from Hudson Catholic in New Jersey where she participates in both volleyball and track & field. During the 2019 season, she earned a pair of MVP awards during two separate tournaments that she competed in. Before she came to New Jersey, she was a member of the Puerto Rican National Team that played in the World Championship in Egypt. She played club volleyball for Sureshots. She intends to major in Biology upon her arrival at St. Francis.
"Cristal has great upside and comes to us with great experience being able to compete for Puerto Rico on the Sub-18 team that competed in Mexico and then in Egypt. She is a great athlete with length and has the ability to be an elite blocker and generates a lot of power in her swing," noted Coach Martinez.
Amber Phillips | Middle Blocker | Brooklyn, NY
Phillips is a 6-foot-2, middle blocker from Brooklyn, NY. She will be joining the Terriers women's volleyball program from Millennium High School where she played both volleyball and basketball. Phillips served as Captain of the volleyball team and won the Most Encouraging/Friendly Teammate award two years in a row. She was named to the Honor Roll in each year of her high school career and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She played club volleyball for Brooklyn Elite Volleyball. Phillips chose St. Francis because she loves the campus environment and for the five-year Psychology program. She intends to major in Psychology because she would like to become a child psychologist.
"Amber is local product with great size at the middle, she is very athletic with a very high upside," said Coach Martinez.
Lainie Putt | Opposite Hitter | Winchester, VA
Putt is a 5-foot-10, opposite hitter from Winchester, VA. She comes to St. Francis from James Wood High School where she was a three-year member of the volleyball team. Putt collected a number of accolades during her high school career which included: All-Academic (freshman-junior), All-District First Team, All-Region Second Team, All-Area First Team, Coaches Award (2019-20), and Under Armour All-American Watch list (2020-21). In the classroom, Putt had just as much success as she was named to the Honor Roll, National Honors Society, Dean's List at Lord Fairfax Community College, and took All Honors/AP courses from freshman through senior year. Putt played club volleyball for Paramount Volleyball Club. She chose St. Francis because she wanted to attend a school where she could thrive both academically and athletically in New York City. She intends to major is Psychology and be a part of St. Francis' five-year Psychology program.
"Lainie is a super explosive player and very smart on the court. She is a ball of energy on the court and will fit in on the right side for us add. We are stoked to add another lefty to our roster," Coach Martinez explained.
Izabella Santiago | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Miami, FL
Santiago is a 5-foot-3, libero/defensive specialist from Miami, FL. She joins the Terriers' women's volleyball program from Riviera Preparatory School where she played both volleyball and softball. During the 2019 volleyball season, Santiago tallied 370 digs, 89 kills, 30 aces, and 34 assists. She won an MVP award in 2018 and took home the Coaches Award in 2019. Her team claimed District and Regional Championships in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In the classroom, she earned Silver Honor Roll recognition in 2017. She played club volleyball for Miami Hype Volleyball Club. She chose St. Francis for the opportunity to play collegiate volleyball and the atmosphere of the College.
"Izabella is a fierce defender that kind of flew under the radar. She will fit in well within our defensive system and will help in stabilizing our serve receive," Coach Martinez commented.
Monica Vargo | Setter | Fogelsville, PA
Vargo is a 5-foot-11, setter from Fogelsville, PA. She comes to St. Francis from Allentown Central Catholic where she was a four-year member of the volleyball team. Over the course of her high school career she has recorded 2,113 assists and accumulated a plethora of accolades. Vargo was named 2019 District XI MVP, was a member of the Pennsylvania AAA All-State Team, and was a District XI First Team All-Star. In 2018, she was selected to the Pennsylvania AAA All-State Team, was a District XI Second Team All-Star, and MaxPreps/AVCA Pennsylvania Volleyball Player of the Week. Academically, she was tabbed to the Magna Cum Laude Honor Roll. She played club volleyball for Crosscourt Volleyball. She chose St. Francis because it allowed her to fulfill her dream of playing Division I volleyball, while receiving a great education in Brooklyn Heights.
"Monica has great hands, is very athletic, and has good size at the setter position. She is another player that brings a ton of energy to the court and has a high volleyball IQ," said Coach Martinez.
Elaina Vaughan | Middle Blocker | Kingsport, TN
Vaughan is a 6-foot-2, middle blocker from Kingsport, TN. She comes to St. Francis from Sullivan Central High School where she was a four-year member of the varsity volleyball team and a one-year member of the varsity basketball team. During her high school career, she collected 675 kills, 237 blocks, 160 aces, and 254 digs. She was named the Three Rivers Conference Player of the Year in 2020 and the Three Rivers Conference Hitter of the Year in 2019. Vaughan tallied several other athletic achievements in high school which included: District 1 AA Tournament MVP (2020), Region 1 AA All-Tournament Team (2018, 2019, 2020), and Three Rivers Conference All-Conference Team (2018). Additionally, she was a member of the National Honors Society, National Society of High School Scholars, and Beta Club. Vaughan played club volleyball for TriCities Extreme Volleyball Club. She chose St. Francis for the opportunity to play Division I volleyball in an amazing location, while receiving a first-class education. She intends to major in Business/Marketing upon her arrival in the Fall of 2021.
"Elaina brings good size, athleticism, and toughness at the net. She can be a blocking force, has the ability to terminate, and has the potential to be an impact player for us," said Coach Martinez.
Tessa Winkleman | Outside Hitter | Grand Haven, MI
Winkleman is a 5-foot-10, outside hitter from Grand Haven, MI. She will join the Terriers from Grand Haven High School where she participated in volleyball, track & field, and lacrosse. During her volleyball career, she was an All-Region Honorable Mention and an Academic All-State selection. Her team claimed a Conference Championship and won four District Championships. Academically, she was tabbed to the Honor Roll, and was nominated for the National Academy for future physicians and medical scientists award for excellence. She played club volleyball for Michigan Academy Volleyball. She chose St. Francis because of its location and the diversity within the College community. Winkleman intends to major in Psychology.
"Tessa comes from a solid program in Michigan and possesses a lot of high-level experience. She has a heavy arm with shots to go with it at the outside position," noted Coach Martinez.
