Volleyball Welcomes Group of Six Newcomers for Fall 2023

Central Connecticut volleyball head coach Linda Sagnelli has announced the program will welcome a group of six student-athletes to join the program in the Fall of 2023. Kylee Baranski, Larissa Heimer, Louise Lion, Victoria Sanabria, Amaia Tapia and Allyson Voight will join the Blue Devils in the fall.

"This class should be able to have an immediate impact both academically and on the court," said Sagnelli. "We look forward to having them join our Blue Devil Family!"

The Blue Devils also return an experienced core of veterans, including Isabelle Roufs, who earned All-NEC Second Team honors. Roufs was also one of four Blue Devils to earn CSC Academic All-Region honors, while the volleyball program was recognized with the highest team GPA at CCSU.

Below is a closer look at CCSU's incoming student-athletes.

Kylee Baranski | S/DS  | 5-10 | Bowling Green, OH/Otsego
Played for coach Gabby Smith at Otsego High School...Placed third at AAU Nationals in 2020…Received Honor Mention for NBC in 2021 and 2022...Played club volleyball for Premier Academy under Jodi Shramm

Sagnelli on Baranski: "Kylee has experience in running an offense and will be working in securing our setting position. She comes in with a great work ethic and we look forward to watching her make the transition to the college game."

Larissa Hiemer |S | 5-9 | Halle, Germany/Sportgymnasium Schwerin
Played for head coach Arne Kramer and Schweriner SC...Placed seventh in the German Championship in 2022...Placed third at the German Federal Cup in 2019...Won the North German Champion in 2021 and 2022. 

Sagnelli on Heimer: "We are very excited to have Larissa running our offense.  She has great experience playing at a high level and should have an easy transition to collegiate volleyball."

Louise Lion | OH | 5-10 |Salles, France/Ellsworth CC (IA)
Played for head coach Sara Jesse at Ellsworth (IA) Community College...Averaged a team-leading 2.78 kills/set as a sophomore and hit .223...Added 2.57 digs per set...Four-time First Team Academic All-Region...Team MVP…Human Biology Student of the Year.

Sagnelli on Lion: "Louise is an athletic outside hitter with a high jump.  We expect her to compete immediately for playing time and should add a great dynamic from the left pin."

Victoria Sanabria |OPP/MB |5-11 |Manati, Puerto Rico/Colegio Marista
Played for Charlie Ramirez at Colegio Marista "El Salvador"...Power League Tournament All-Star...Member of National Honor Society...Student Council member...Class President (2021), and Class Treasurer (2020, 2023)...Played with CVH Select and Arnaldo Colon.

Sagnelli on Sanabria: "Victoria is joining our team having just competed in the Pan American games where her team placed third.  She is a determined and focused player who will bring aggressiveness to our offense."

Amaia Tapia | L/DS | 5-3 | San Francisco, CA/Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
Played for Symone Mackiewicz at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep...Helped team to a Central Coast Section D3 Championship and 18-11 record...Team earned a berth to 18^th consecutive CIF State Tournament in the Northern California Regional...Played for Marin Juniors.

Sagnelli on Tapia: "Amaia is a super quick and talented defensive player.  Her athleticism will help her as she trains in the libero position."

Allyson Voight | S | 5-10 | East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow
Played for Kyle Andolina at East Longmeadow High School...Two-year International Volleyball Hall of Fame All-Star...PVIAC Senior All-Star...Two-time Masslive All-Star...Awarded Most Influential Student-Athlete Award at ELHS in 2022-23...Played for Courtney Parent and the PV Juniors.

Sagnelli on Voight: "Allyson will bring experience in the setter position and will gives us depth and flexibility.  She has the ability to train in a variety of positions and I expect she will get up to the speed of the college game in no time."