Volleyball Adds Seven Student-Athletes For 2017

Central Connecticut Volleyball Head Coach Linda Sagnelli has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to join the program in the Fall of 2017. Jordyn Dube, Ashlyn Eisenga, Eline van Heijningen, Emma Henderson, Nicole Kramer, Sam McCreath and Livia Silva have committed to the Blue Devils and will join the CCSU Class of 2021.

"Our incoming class with student-athletes from across the country and the Netherlands, is the largest class we've ever signed," Sagnelli said. "We expect them to have an immediate impact on our team and contribute to the long term success of our program. They bring a lot of experience to the court, they are outstanding students and they have a great work ethic as a group."

CCSU won the CCSU Invitational to open the 2016 season and won six straight Northeast Conference matches to open the league schedule.  The Blue Devils finished last season with a record of 14-13 overall and 9-5 in league play, while advancing to the semifinals of the NEC championship.

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

Jordyn Dube | 5-10 | S | Tolland, CT/Tolland
Captain of the Tolland High School team in multiple seasons…Two-year All-State and All-Conference honoree…Connecticut Senior All-Star team member…Invited to play on the 2016 New England Region High Performance team that competed at the High Performance championships…Played club volleyball for Husky Volleyball.

Sagnelli on Dube: "We are excited to get to work with Jordyn.  She has been to our camps and clinics and she has such a great work ethic and personality. She will help fill a critical role on our team, providing another set of hands."

Ashlyn Eisenga | 5-6 | L/DS | Ripon, CA/Ripon
Attended Ripon High School…Led team to undefeated season in the Trans Valley League and a San Joaquin Section championship…Earned First Team All-League honors as a junior and senior…Helped Ripon to the TVL semifinals in 2014… Twice named Best Defensive Player…Played club for Pacific Coast Volleyball Club and led team to Junior National Championships – USA Division in 2014.

Sagnelli on Eisenga: "Ashlyn is an incredible athlete and can do things on the court with her balance, quickness and her reaction time that are difficult to coach. She comes in with a great skill-set and can contribute right away on the ball-control side of the game."

Eline van Heijningen | 6-0 | MH | Deventer, Netherlands/Centre for Sports and Education
Attended the Centre for Sports and Education in Zwolle, Netherlands…Helped team to a third-place finish in the 2016 National Youth Championships.

Sagnelli on van Heijningen: "She possesses a lot of natural strength and we are very excited to have her come to Central.  As Eline develops, she can become a terminating hitter. She has a lot of enthusiasm and will bring great energy to our team."

Emma Henderson | 5-10 | OH | Prairie Village, KS/Shawnee Mission East
Played for Shawnee Mission East High School…Earned First Team All-State…Named First Team All-Sunflower League…Named to the state All-Tournament Team…SME Volleyball Player of the Year…Played for the Asics MAVS 18-1 club team.

Sagnelli on Henderson: "She's an All-State performer and was the go-to player on her team. She will compete for playing time immediately.  Emma has a wonderful attitude and outstanding focus."

Nicole Kramer | 6-3  | MB | Bellevue, WA/Interlake
Attended Interlake High School…Earned 2016 KINGCO First Team middle blocker honors…Named 2015 KINGCO Second Team middle blocker...2013 Academic Team state champions…Played club volleyball for Sudden Impact Volleyball Club.

Sagnelli on Kramer: "Nicole bring a lot of size, and combined with her athleticism, we believe she has a very high ceiling. She is prepared to help defensively right away, and can really help give strength and depth to our Middle position."

Samantha McCreath | 5-10 | OH | Ripon, CA/Ripon
Attended Ripon High School…Named MVP of the Trans-Valley League…Two-time First Team All-TVL honoree…Named MVP and Best Offensive Player at Ripon….Played club volleyball for Rage VBC.

Sagnelli on McCreath: "She was her conference's Player of the Year. She and Ashlyn [Eisenga] had a lot of success together on the High School level. Sam has the potential to be a very powerful Outside Hitter; she is a very dynamic athlete and we believe she can have a wonderful career here at CCSU."

Livia Silva | 5-9 | OH | Fairfield, CT/Notre Dame Catholic
Four-year varsity letter-winner at Notre Dame Catholic High School…Named to the All-State Second Team as a senior…Two-time All-Patriot Division honoree…Team MVP as a senior…Led team to Class S State Quarterfinals for the first time in school history in 2015…Helped team reach SWC semifinals in 2015 for first time…Also earned varsity letters in Lacrosse and Track…Played for TCA club team.

Sagnelli on Silva: "Liv is an All-State player from Connecticut, who brings a great attitude and outlook.  As she gains strength, she'll be able to contribute for us at the Outside position."