Women's Volleyball Adds Eight to 2024 Roster

NORTHRIDGE, CALIF.—CSUN head women's volleyball coach Aquiles Montoya has announced the addition of eight student-athletes to continue their playing career with the Matadors.

The group of incoming student-athletes includes Natalia Brandlin, Hailey Brockway, Katie Kolar, Kyleigh Moore, Presley Nippert, Autumn Rojelio, Amaris Smith, and Grace Stone.

PLAYER CAPSULES
Natalia Brandlin (MB, 6-1, Jr., Prescott, Ariz./Edison HS/Irvine Valley College)

Played the 2023 season at Irvine Valley College in Irvine, Calif.
Appeared in 26 matches for the Lasers as a sophomore.
Averaged 2.31 kills per set while hitting .406 on 401 attacks to earn All-CCCAA first-team honors.
Also played beach volleyball where the Lasers won the Orange Empire Conference Championship in 2024.
Played her freshman year (2022) at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif.
As a middle blocker, earned first-team all-conference honors and was named Freshman of the Year.
Hit .524 on the season while posting 112 total blocks for the Pirates.
A 2022 graduate of Edison High School.
Lettered in both indoor and beach volleyball for the Chargers.
Started at middle blocker for the Sunset League champions.

"Natalia offers a ton of experience in the middle that we will use a ton." said Montoya. "Her capabilities to score off of one foot and in front of the setter, make her an option for us immediately. It takes a lot of talent and work to be first in your conference for hitting percentage and blocks per set, so we will use that skill and experience to help us compete for wins this fall."

Hailey Brockway (OH, 5-10, So., Graham, Wash./Graham-Kapowsin HS/Illinois State)

Played her freshman season (2023) at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill.
Appeared in four matches and eight sets.
Made her collegiate debut versus Central Arkansas on Aug. 26.
Tallied season-highs of five kills and three digs against Colgate.
A 2023 graduate of Graham-Kapowsin High School in Graham, Wash.
Was a four-year starter at outside hitter as well as team captain for the Eagles.
Earned South Puget Sound League MVP honors from 2019-22.
Was named MaxPreps Top HS Player in Washington in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
Her team won the state championship in 2023 and was third in both 2019 and 2022.
Finished her high school career with 1,895 career kills and 802 career digs.

"Hailey is someone that I had a history with recruiting at Portland State," said Montoya. "She was highly sought after, and we're very lucky to have her skills as a Matador for the next couple of years. What Hailey brings from the service line, back row, and front row is something that we will look forward to using regardless of her role. She is super focused and someone that is easy to play with."

Katie Kolar (S, 5-9, So., Norman, Okla./Norman North HS/West Virginia)

Spent the 2023 season at West Virginia University where she appeared in seven matches and 12 sets as a true freshman.
Record 32 assists, 12 digs, two aces, and three aces on the season.
Posted a season-high 17 assists along with two aces in the Mountaineers 3-0 win over Le Moyne.
A 2023 graduate of Norman North High School.
Was named Miss Volleyball Oklahoma by VYPE Magazine in 2022.
Earned Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Also earned AVCA All-Region and Oklahoma Regionals MVP as a senior.
Chosen Norman North High School's Volleyball MVP in 2021 and 2022.
Amassed over 1,000 career assists and holds her high school record for kills in one match (25).

"Katie and I go back from my time recruiting at Portland State," said Montoya. "Her family is known for high academics and athletics, so she is an all-business type of student-athlete. She wants to lead and has all the traits to do so. Not many players at the setter position have the type of athleticism and tools to be successful in a 5-1, and we're excited to bring her on, and expect big things from her on and off the court."

Kyleigh Moore (OH, 5-11, Fr. , Lake Elsinore, Calif./Lake Elsinore HS/Vista Murrieta HS)

A 2024 graduate of Vista Murrieta High School.
Was a three-time first-team all-league outside hitter.
Also earned Offensive Most Valuable Player accolades and Team Offensive Player of the Year.
Also competed in track & field as a high jumper and long jumper.
Her teams won league championships in both volleyball and track & field.

"Kyleigh is an incredible student-athlete who will challenge our gym immediately," said Montoya. "Coming from a family of athletes, she is self-motivated and will make the transition from high school to college smoothly. What stood out to me when watching and getting to know Kyleigh was her serve and first contact. That will allow her to compete for immediate contribution this season."

Presley Nippert (OPP, 6-0, So., Longview, Wash./Kelso HS/Georgia State)

Appeared in 10 matches and 19 sets as a freshman at Georgia State in Atlanta, Ga.
Finished her first collegiate season with 19 kills (1.00 kps) and six digs (0.32 dps).
Put down a season-high seven kills against South Carolina State (8/25/23).
Earned Athletic Director's Honor Roll honors in the spring of 2024 and Dean's List accolades in the fall of 2023.
A 2023 graduate of Kelso High School in Kelso, Wash.
Put down 398 kills as a senior in 2022, earning first-team All-Greater St. Helens League honors.
Was also named WIAACA All-State, and Offensive Most Valuable Player.
Led her team to the WIAA state tournament three times… Received the WIAA state tournament sportsmanship medal.
A National Honor Society member and was named KLOG student of the month twice and KLOG athlete of the month.

"With Presley being a physical left-handed opposite, we can really use her in critical situations as the Big West has physical attackers and blockers," said Montoya. "We expect to use her skill and experience to take us to the next level. She is someone that is always bringing her best on the court and weight room and I'm excited to see that contagious work ethic in our program."

Autumn Rojelio (L, 5-2, Sr. , Ventura, Calif./Buena HS/Ventura College)

Played two seasons of indoor and beach volleyball at Ventura College in Ventura, Calif.
Was named Western State Conference Libero of the Year and first team all-conference in 2023.
Averaged 5.84 digs per set for the Pirates who won the WSC North Conference championship.
Was also named to the State Championship All-Tournament Team in 2023.
Listed on the 2024 AVCA Players to Watch for beach volleyball in 2024.
Along with teammate Bryce Swain, was named 2023 WSC Beach Pair of the Year.
Finished as pairs conference runners-up in both 2022 and 2023.
A 2020 graduate of Buena High School in Ventura, Calif.
Lettered all four years in both indoor and beach volleyball for the Bulldogs.
Was named Most Valuable Player in both 2019 and 2020.

"A spark plug whenever she is on the court, Ventura College's historic success this past year had a lot to do with their MVP, Autumn," said Montoya. "We are fired up to have such a mature and selfless leader enter our gym and immediately compete. Her experience as an All-Conference Libero will help our defense keep balls off the floor and our offense stay in system, whether it's in big matches or in practice."

Amaris Smith (OH/OPP, 6-2, Jr., Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County HS/Long Island)

Played two seasons (2022-23) at Long Island University.
Appeared in 31 matches in 2023, recording 303 kills (second in the NEC), 171 digs, and 35 service aces.
Named first-team All-NEC in 2023 and was named NEC Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Earned NEC Prime Performer three times in 2023 and five times in 2022.
Also earned NEC All-Academic honors in 2022 and 2023.
A 2022 graduate of Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colo.
Earned four varsity letters for the Huskies.
Was named first-team All-Continental Conference and All-State honorable mention in 2021.
Earned second-team all-conference accolades in both 2018 and 2019.
Was awarded Scholar-Athlete honors as a senior in 2022.

"Amaris has the capability of playing six rotations for us, as she did in her previous two years," said Montoya. "Bringing in someone that has experienced success personally and making it to the NCAA tournament, our players will be lucky to have someone in their corner that has been a part of postseason success. Not many have the heavy arm that Amaris has, and we're very lucky to have her on our side."

Grace Stone (S, 5-8, Fr., Carmichael, Calif./Rio Americano HS)

A 2024 graduate of Rio Americano High School in Carmichael, Calif.
Earned three varsity letters as a setter for the Raiders.
Was a two-time Most Valuable Player and league MVP in 2022 and 2023.
Also earned all-league honors as a sophomore in 2021.
Was a scholar-athlete honoree all three years.
Averaged 9.00 assists per set with a .452 hitting percentage.
Completed her high school career with just under 3,000 career assists.

"Grace is a hard-working setter that we are excited to watch develop," said Montoya. "Her experience operating a 5-1 for the last couple of years in leadership roles will be exciting to bring into our gym with so many new faces. She is hungry for this opportunity and isn't intimidated by being the youngest in her position in our gym."

#GoMatadors

California State University Northridge Athletics

Women's Volleyball Adds Eight to 2024 Roster

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Players Mentioned

Natalia Brandlin

Hailey Brockway

Katie Kolar

Kyleigh Moore

Presley Nippert

Autumn Rojelio

Amaris Smith

Grace Stone

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