EMMA BLANKENSHIP
Concord, Ohio (Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) | Club: Rockcity Volleyball
Middle Blocker | 6-0

• Plans to major in biology at American
• Loves to hike and be outdoors, as well as travel
• Has a goal to visit all 50 states
• Enjoys doing crafts, making new friends and spending time with loved ones
• Is a parish council leader at St. Gabriel Church and was a camp leader at her parish for six years
   

Prior to AU...

• Named to the all-conference first team as a junior and senior at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin
• Was a News Herald third team all-star as a senior and second team all-star as a sophomore
• Team captain and MVP as a senior; Most Improved as a junior
• Had the highest hitting percentage on her team in 2022 and 2023 as well as the most aces and most aces per set
• Led the team in blocks in 2022 and was second in 2023
• Team was three-time district champion, two-time regional champion, state runner-up in 2020 and state champion in 2022
• Played for the Rockcity Volleyball Club and earned All-America honors at Nationals in 2022 as well as AAU All-Tournament Team selection in 2021
• Also played boys/co-ed tennis and was a two-time team MVP
• Earned academic honors with a 4.0 GPA or above every quarter
• Earned an Ohio Department of Education Diploma with Honors, the Heart of Lions Service Award, and the Living the Truth in Love Award

DENIZ DAKAK
Istanbul, Turkey (Irmak)
Setter | 6-0

• Plans to major in business at American
   

Prior to AU...

• Member of the U19 team in Turkey that earned second and third-place finishes in the championships
• Member of the U18 team that placed second, and the U17 team that took first place
• Her U16 team placed first at both the European Championship and the Balkan Championship

OLGA GERGACZ
Gencsapáti, Hungary (Békéscsabai Gimnázium) | Club: Rockcity Volleyball
Outside/Opposite | 6-2

• Plans to major in economics at American
• Loves baking
• Played four years of water polo and took first and third at the primary school water polo championship
   

Prior to AU...

• Played 17 times for the Hungarian National Team
• Team was U17 Hungarian champion and 10th at the European Championships
• U19 team was 15th at the World Championship
• Also played for the Békéscsabai RSE club team
• Earned an award for her high school final exam in English as well as in Hungarian grammar and literature

ISABELLA MARRERO
Burbank, Calif. (Campbell Hall) | Club: Sunshine Volleyball Club
Libero | 5-6

• Plans to major in environmental science at American
• Plays beach volleyball and won the Southern California Beach Volleyball Gold Coast League in 2024
• Loves yoga, painting, drawing or sculpting, going out with friends and family, and reading
• Is passionate about giving back to the community and has volunteered with Baby2Baby
• Part of the Latinos Unidos club at Cambell to help combat issues of racism and colorism
• Has participated in Girls in Stem Club to combat the detrimental and harmful effects imposed on the environment
   

Prior to AU...

• Named AVCA All-Region as a senior at Campbell Hall High School
• Other senior honors included all-league first team recognition, All-Tournament Team selection at the La Jolla Coastal Classic, USA Volleyball GJNC All-Tournament Team, Under Armour Athlete recognition
• Was also a first team all-league honoree as a junior
• Ranked 9th in Southern California for digs in a single season
• 2024 Pacific Northwest Qualifier Champion
• Was a honor roll student every year of high school

SOPHIA NAGY
Budapest, Hungary (Obudai Arpad Gimnazium) | Club: Vasas SC
Middle Blocker | 6-1

• Plans to major in computer science at American
• Has lived in Hungary for the past 14 years
• Loves to listen to music, travel, and take photos
   

Prior to AU...

• Played 38 times for the Hungarian National Team and played in four Champions League matches
• Was MVP for the U18 European Championship Qualifiers
• Her U19 team placed 15th in the world and her U17 team placed seventh in the European Championship
• Took second place in the Women’s Hungarian National Championship in 2024
• U15 team was first nationally, U17 team was second and U19 team was third
• Graduated in the top 10 percent of her class

ELISE STERLING
Orland Park, Ill. (Carl Sandburg) | Club: 1st Alliance
Middle Blocker | 6-0

• Is undecided on a major at American
• Also plays beach volleyball
• Has volunteered for over 200 hours of community service
   

Prior to AU...

• Third team all-conference selection as a senior at Carl Sandburg High School
• Named to the All-Tournament Team at the Wheaton Classic and to the All-Area Second Team
• Team was conference champs in her senior year and was regional champion for three years
• Totaled 191 blocks and 560 kills in high school
• Ranked in the top 10 percent of her class and earned an Outstanding Eagle Award

ZEYNEP YILMAZ
Istanbul, Trukey (Kemerburgaz Okyanus) | Club: Eczacibasi Sports Club
Outside Hitter | 6-1

• Plans to major in computer science at American
• Participates in track & field in addition to volleyball
• Loves mimicking and acting and would like to perform in a play
• Enjoys reading and talking about books
   

Prior to AU...

• Placed third in the 1st division with her team in 2023-24
• Was champion the year before
• Third place in the 2nd division in 2020-21