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Volleyball Adds Three Signees on National Signing Day
11/14/2024 11:28:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball Head Coach Scott Smith announced their incoming class on Thursday morning. The Bulls signed three incoming freshmen to their class.
Sydney Bell // Opposite Hitter // École Secondaire Catholique Béatrice-Desloges // Orleans, Ontario
Bell will bring a plethora of experience the Bulls' squad in 2025. She was selected for the 2024 All-Canadian games. Bell also went on to represent Team Canada at the 2024 U19 Girls' NORCECA Competition in Honduras. Last year, she played for Team Ontario at the 2023 Canada Cup. The opposite hitter was also selected to train in the National Excellence Program (NEP).
"Sydney will bring extraordinary height and physicality to our group of pin hitters," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "As a lefty she stands apart, and through the recruiting process really impressed us with her blocking and all-around play. As part of Canada's NEP program, she has been training diligently within the National Team pipeline. Her development over the past year is very exciting and I cannot wait for her to join us in Buffalo!"
Emerson Matthews // Outside Hitter // Holy Rosary High School // Lloydminster, Alberta
Just like her new teammate, Matthews was also selected to Canada's NEP and moved to Vancouver for a few months to take advantage of this opportunity. She played in the BioSteel All-Canadian Games for Team Canada in 16U and 17U. This year, she was named SASK Volleyball 17U Female Athlete of the Year. She represented the 19U Team Canada at the NORCECA PAN-AM Cup in Honduras this past summer. Winning is in her DNA as when she played 14U, she helped her team win the National Championships followed by a third place finish the following year in 15U. During her 18U season, the team was the Provincial Champions.
"Emerson immediately stood out to me while recruiting the Canada Games," added Smith. "She hits the type of ball you can hear from across the gym and that type of power cannot be ignored. Like Sydney, she has been training with the national team and the NEP, gaining international experience prior to coming to Buffalo. This type of experience has allowed her to test her skills at the highest levels and she has held her own admirably. I am very much looking forward to working with her this upcoming season!"
Madilyn Mitchell // Setter/Opposite Hitter // Jefferson City // Jefferson City, Mo.
The Missouri native tallied over 1,000 career digs and nearly 2,000 career assists in her interscholastic career at Jefferson City. In her senior season, she helped the program reach their first ever State Championship. Last season she earned Central Missouri Activities Conference (CMAC) Player of the Year honors to go with her All-State recognition. She was a four-year starter that took home First-Team Conference honors each year. This past season after helping the team reach the State Championship, Mitchell was named to the AVCA All-Region Team. She just didn't dominate on the court but was also named to the Academic All-State list.
"Maddie has all the characteristics you look for when trying to find a setter and future leader of your program," added Smith. "She has energy and confidence on the court and has displayed great leadership with both her club and high school programs, leading them to great success. Her speed and athleticism will allow her to immediately keep up with the pace of the collegiate game. I am excited to have her join the program and look forward to her arrival."
For all the latest on UB Volleyball, follow @ubvolleyball on Twitter/X, @ub_volleyball on Instagram and like the UB Women's Volleyball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Sydney Bell // Opposite Hitter // École Secondaire Catholique Béatrice-Desloges // Orleans, Ontario
Bell will bring a plethora of experience the Bulls' squad in 2025. She was selected for the 2024 All-Canadian games. Bell also went on to represent Team Canada at the 2024 U19 Girls' NORCECA Competition in Honduras. Last year, she played for Team Ontario at the 2023 Canada Cup. The opposite hitter was also selected to train in the National Excellence Program (NEP).
"Sydney will bring extraordinary height and physicality to our group of pin hitters," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "As a lefty she stands apart, and through the recruiting process really impressed us with her blocking and all-around play. As part of Canada's NEP program, she has been training diligently within the National Team pipeline. Her development over the past year is very exciting and I cannot wait for her to join us in Buffalo!"
Emerson Matthews // Outside Hitter // Holy Rosary High School // Lloydminster, Alberta
Just like her new teammate, Matthews was also selected to Canada's NEP and moved to Vancouver for a few months to take advantage of this opportunity. She played in the BioSteel All-Canadian Games for Team Canada in 16U and 17U. This year, she was named SASK Volleyball 17U Female Athlete of the Year. She represented the 19U Team Canada at the NORCECA PAN-AM Cup in Honduras this past summer. Winning is in her DNA as when she played 14U, she helped her team win the National Championships followed by a third place finish the following year in 15U. During her 18U season, the team was the Provincial Champions.
"Emerson immediately stood out to me while recruiting the Canada Games," added Smith. "She hits the type of ball you can hear from across the gym and that type of power cannot be ignored. Like Sydney, she has been training with the national team and the NEP, gaining international experience prior to coming to Buffalo. This type of experience has allowed her to test her skills at the highest levels and she has held her own admirably. I am very much looking forward to working with her this upcoming season!"
Madilyn Mitchell // Setter/Opposite Hitter // Jefferson City // Jefferson City, Mo.
The Missouri native tallied over 1,000 career digs and nearly 2,000 career assists in her interscholastic career at Jefferson City. In her senior season, she helped the program reach their first ever State Championship. Last season she earned Central Missouri Activities Conference (CMAC) Player of the Year honors to go with her All-State recognition. She was a four-year starter that took home First-Team Conference honors each year. This past season after helping the team reach the State Championship, Mitchell was named to the AVCA All-Region Team. She just didn't dominate on the court but was also named to the Academic All-State list.
"Maddie has all the characteristics you look for when trying to find a setter and future leader of your program," added Smith. "She has energy and confidence on the court and has displayed great leadership with both her club and high school programs, leading them to great success. Her speed and athleticism will allow her to immediately keep up with the pace of the collegiate game. I am excited to have her join the program and look forward to her arrival."
For all the latest on UB Volleyball, follow @ubvolleyball on Twitter/X, @ub_volleyball on Instagram and like the UB Women's Volleyball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
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