Volleyball Announces Signing of Four Student-Athletes
Central Connecticut Volleyball Head Coach Linda Sagnelli has announced the addition of four student-athletes to join the program in the Fall of 2019. Mackenzie Anderson, Taylor Buckley, Molly Pincince and Isabelle Roufs have committed to the Blue Devils and will join the CCSU Class of 2023.
"This class of freshman fits all the areas we look for in our student-athletes," said Sagnelli. "The four of them are very talented and are joining an established team with a strong core of players returning. This group only adds to what we want to do competitively on the court and also in the classroom."
CCSU advanced to the Northeast Conference Tournament semifinals in 2018, falling to eventual champion Bryant in five sets. The Blue Devils finished last season with a record of 13-13 overall and 10-4 in league play.
Below is a closer look at CCSU's incoming student-athletes.
Mackenzie Anderson | 5-3 | L/DS | Clinton, CT/The Morgan School
Played for coach Jessica Lynch at The Morgan School...Captained The Morgan School varsity squad as a junior and senior…Earned First Team All-Conference honors…Played club volleyball for Husky Volleyball and coach Jose Rodriguez.
Sagnelli on Anderson: "Mackenzie has attended our camps and clinics and clicked with our program. She has a 'never give up' attitude and will have no trouble keeping up with the pace of play."
Taylor Buckley | 5-10 | OH | Colorado Springs, CO/Lewis Palmer
Played four years varsity for Lewis Palmer High School for coach Wade Baxter...Named All-State by Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports...All-State First Team...Three-time state champions (2016-18)...Cheyenne Mountain Invitational Tounrmaent MVP in 2017 and 2018...All-State Honorable Mention for Academics (2017, 2018)...Gazette Prep All-Stars First Team (2017, 2018)...High school team was ranked No. 6 nationally by MzxPreps Excellent 25 Rankings and No. 1 in Colorado in 2018...Led team in kills in 2017 and 2018...School was ranked No. 1 in Colorado and No. 7 nationally in MaxPreps Excellent 25 rankings, MaxPrep Tour of Champions in 2017...First Team Pikes Peak Athletic Conference (2018) and Second Team Pikes Peak Athletic Conference (2017)...Played for Colorado Juniors club team and coach Malia Sagiao...Won the Northern Lights 17U USA Division, USAV Junior National Qualifier in Minneapolis, MN, and led the team in kills...Selected to the USAV High Performance Girl's Youth Continental Team and participated in the 2017 USAV High Performance National Championship...Selected for the USAVPhenom list in 2017...Qualified for the USA National Beach Tour Championship 18U in 2018...Invited by USA Beach Volleyball to the 18U National Team tryouts...Gold Medalist at 2016 USAV 16U Beach National Championship .
Sagnelli on Buckley: "Taylor is a well-rounded, complete player coming in with a high volleyball IQ. She's that prototypical six-rotation outside hitter who can play in the frontcourt, but can also be a primary passer. Her defense and vision are very good and she anticipates the play on the ball very quickly."
Molly Pincince| 5-3 | DS | South Kingstown, RI/South Kingstown
Attended South Kingstown High School and played for Jacquelyn Elmer...Earned Second Team All-State and First Team All-Division honors in 2017...Named First Team All-Division, First Team All-State in 2017...Played club volleyball for South County Juniors and coach Danielle Soubliere.
Sagnelli on Pincince: "Molly is an all-state libero coming from Rhode Island and will bring a measure of ball-control to our team. She's a very focused and competitive athlete. She will be pushing herself and will by extension push those around her."
Isabelle Roufs | 6-2 | OPP | Winsted, MN/Howard Lake Waverly Winsted
Played for Howard Lake Waverly Winsted High School and coach Brooke Decker...Earned All-State First Team....Named All-Conference and All-Section First Team...Earned Central Minnesota Conference Most Valuable Player...AAA Award...Academc All-State and Academic All-Conference...Played for Kandi Elite Volleyball Club and coach Terrin Deboer.
Sagnelli on Roufs: "Isabelle has great size and athleticism, and can swing from anywhere. Her attitude is great, coming in and wanting to play and score points and help Central win. She is another all-state player and we're really excited to welcome her."