NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Women's volleyball head coach Donna Day has announced the Purple Eagles' incoming class for the 2019 season. Taylor Allen, Hannah Berry, Christina Cowsert, Molly Jandris, Alexandra Leitner, Alicia Nash, Allie Simpson and Sarah Weiby will enroll at Niagara in the fall.

"I am beyond excited to welcome this year's newcomers to Niagara University," said Day. "These eight new players are the perfect complement to our roster of returners and I am looking forward to watching them compete with each other, challenge each other and raise the level of volleyball in our gym."

Taylor Allen | 6-foot-0 | Middle Blocker | Windsor, CT | Windsor High School

Allen joins the Purple Eagles from Windsor High School in Windsor, Conn. In her sophomore year, she was awarded the Charger Award. As a junior, her team were conference champions and Allen was given the Coaches' Award. She was named the MVP of her team senior year. Allen competed at the club level with Husky Volleyball and was a member of her club's national team. Allen was a two-sport athlete, also competing in track and field. She made the all-conference team three times and was named to the All-State Team in her junior and senior years. Allen competed at the New Balance Nationals twice; once in her junior year for outdoor track and once in her senior year for indoor track.

"Taylor Allen is a fast, dynamic player whose athleticism is off the charts," Day said. "Her strong blocking presence and ability to move quickly from pin to pin means she can stop attackers all along the net. She is also great in transition with her efficient footwork and ability to see the play unfold. She will be a force for us in the middle for years to come."

Hannah Berry | 5-foot-10 | Outside Hitter | New Braunfels, TX | Canyon High School

Berry, a National Honor Society member, was a captain of her varsity volleyball team and was a Second Team All-District 6A selection. For the 2018 season, Berry played 136 sets and recorded 409 kills and 461 digs. She played at the club level for SA Magic 18 Elite, where she was selected to the High Performance Team to represent Texas. Her club team won Junior Nationals in 2015. Berry also excelled in the classroom. She was a three-time Academic All-District honoree, a Second Team Academic All-State selections and a Texas Girls Coaches First Team selection.

"Hannah Berry is a true 6-rotation attacker that makes her presence known all around the court," said Day. "She is a great defender with big range because she reads the game so well. She is a smart attacker and has an arsenal of weapons. Her volleyball IQ and outstanding vision mean she can score in a variety of ways and I anticipate that Hannah will be a big play-maker for us."

Christina Cowsert | 6-foot-0 | Outside Hitter/Right Side | Highland Village, TX | Lewisville High School

Cowsert joins Niagara after a decorated high school career. Her senior season, Cowsert was a team captain and was selected to the All-District First Team and the Academic All-District Team. She was also named the MVP of her squad. Cowsert was also a team captain, an All-District First Team and Academic All-District Team selection her junior season. She served as a team captain for the first time during her sophomore season. She was named her team's Offensive Player of the Year, as well as being named to the All-District Second Team and the Academic All-District Team. Her freshman season, Cowsert was an All-District Honorable Mention and was named to the Academic All-District Team. Cowsert competed at the club level with TAV 18 Blue and her team won the 2019 USA Volleyball National Championship in the 18 USA division.

"Christina Cowsert is a multidimensional attacker who can be used anywhere on the court," said Day. "She has experience attacking and blocking all along the net. That versatility, combined with her shot-making, will be great assets to our offense and will be hard for our opponents to stop. I am looking forward to seeing how Christina evolves in our gym."

Molly Jandris | 6-foot-0 | Right Side | Holtsville, NY |Sachem High East

Jandris joins the Purple Eagles from Sachem High East. Jandris was named to the All-State Team in 2018. She was an All-County selection her sophomore through senior seasons and was also a Newsday Top 10 To Watch honoree her sophomore through senior seasons. Jandris was a one-tome Long Island First Tournament Team selection and was an All-Long Island Second Team honoree in 2017. Jandris played club volleyball for Academy Volleyball Long Island. She was awarded the Best Blocking Award at the Capitol Hill Classic in 2019.

"Molly Jandris will certainly add power to our right side," said Day. "She has an aggressive arm and is always looking to terminate. Her strong serve receive and defensive skills will likely make her a 6-rotation contributor. I expect big things from Molly right away."

Alexandra Leitner | 5-foot-9 | Defensive Specialist | Castle Pines, CO | Rock Canyon High School

Leitner comes to NU from Castle Pines, Colorado. At Rock Canyon High School, Leitner was a First Team Academic All-State selection and her team finished fifth at the state tournament. She earned an academic letter her sophomore through senior seasons and was a member of Quill and Scroll International High School Honors Society and the National Academy of Future Medical Scientists and Physicians. Leitner competed at the club level with Colorado Volleyball Association 18 Mizuno, where she excelled. Her team finished in the top five in the region every season and finished first in the 18s D1 RMR Classic two years in a row. They also qualified American for the 17s GJNC 2018. Leitner also played beach volleyball and was in the top three in the region in U19 the past two years and was on the RMR HP team the past two years. She also qualified for Beach Nationals this year and won the Silver Bracket.

"Alexandra Leitner is a quick mover who can definitely cover the court," Day said. "In addition to her defensive range, she has great platform control and directs the ball very well. She is ultra-competitive, yet has a positive, energetic court presence. I am confident that she will become a force in the backcourt for us."

Alicia Nash | 5-foot-10 | Middle Blocker | Liverpool, NY | Liverpool High School

Nash joins Niagara from Liverpool High School. Her senior season, Nash was a team captain and was an honorable mention for the All-Conference Team. She played 48 sets and recorded 83 kills and 34 solo blocks. After her junior season, Nash was named to the All-Conference Second Team. Nash was a Scholar Athlete and earned the Lamp of Knowledge in 2017 and 2018. She played at the club level for Onondaga.

"Alicia Nash brings a strong work ethic and solid all around skills to our court," said Day. "She has a great volleyball foundation and her competitive drive will definitely fuel her development. I am excited to watch her transformation as she builds her collegiate skills."

Allie Simpson | 5-foot-11 | Right Side | Elizabethtown, KY | Central Hardin High School

Simpson comes to Niagara from Central Hardin High School in Kentucky. She played in 1,040 sets and recorded 442 kills and 347 assists. She was named the 2018 Area Player of the Year, and over the course of her career, also earned All-District Team, All-Region Team and All-State Second Team honors. Simpson played club volleyball for Asics KIVA 18 Red, and also qualified for its national team. Simpson was a four-year honor roll student and was an Academic All-State honoree.

"Allie Simpson is an attacker who brings both strength and explosiveness," Day said. "She possesses the unique ability to score with power and finesse. Allie also puts up a huge block and we will look to her to shut down out opponents. Allie will be a big contributor for us as her skills develop."

Sarah Weiby | 5-foot-11 | Setter | Gilroy, CA | Gavilan College (Gilroy High School)

Weiby, a junior, joins the Purple Eagles from Gavilan College in Gilroy, Calif. Weiby's team were Coast Conference Champions in both her seasons playing for the Rams (2017-18) and, in 2018, advanced to the final four in the state tournament. Weiby was named to the All-Conference Second Team following a great 2018 season. Weiby also won a Coast Conference Championship with the Rams' beach volleyball team this spring. While in high school, Weiby was selected to All-League teams three times and was a Scholar Athlete. She played at the club level for Rush Volleyball Club.

"Transfer setter Sarah Weiby has played two years of college volleyball, so she undoubtedly understands what it takes to play at this level," said Day. "She has a high volleyball IQ and superb ball control from her time playing on the beach. Those skills, combined with her setting accuracy, tempo and decision making, will help add another layer to running our offense. I am looking for her to have an immediate impact on our court."

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