Salme Adeele Hollas
Position: Middle Blocker
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Tartu, Estonia

Hollas is a sophomore transfer from Siena College, bringing momentum from her stellar freshman season to AU. She was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team after posting 208 kills (2.57 per set), 191 digs (2.36 per set), 40 blocks, 16 aces, and leading the team in hitting percentage (.251) and reception percentage at .934 on 458 total attempts. 

Born and raised in Tartu, Estonia, Hollas’ youth career was filled with international success. She was a member of three different national championship teams with Estonia at the U16, U17, and U19 levels, and has been a member of the first team since 2022. 

Hollas comes from a family that lives and breathes volleyball, as her four older sisters and younger brother have all played the sport at high levels. Her sister, Heleene Hollas, is a touring pro beach player, and Eliise Hollas is a middle blocker on Estonia’s women’s national team with Salme.

“I chose AU because It gives me the chance to compete at a high level while also getting a good education,” said Hollas. “The coaches and team made me feel welcome, and I saw it as a place where I can develop both on and off the court.” 

She plans to major in computer science at American.

MONYAY CROWDER
Position: Middle Blocker
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
 

Crowder comes to AU as a sophomore transfer from Long Island University, playing nine games for the Sharks her freshman season.

The Indiana native began playing volleyball late in life, beginning in high school after being a competitive swimmer up to that point. “I really had to catch on quickly and work twice as hard to get to where I am now,” said Crowder. “It has made me a better player and I’m so grateful every time I get to compete!”

She did indeed catch on quickly, putting together a stellar career at Pike High School. Crowder was a second team all-state selection, making the all-district first team three years in a row. Matching her effort on the court in the classroom, she was named Pike’s Outstanding Scholar Athlete her senior year. She plans to major in communications at American.

“From the second I got here I could tell the program was in good hands,” said Crowder. “I chose AU because I knew I’d be surrounded by an amazing group of girls who are just as hungry to win as I am!”
 

SOPHIA DUFOUR
Position: Outside Hitter/Setter
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Frankfort, Ky.
 

Dufour had an outstanding high school career at Franklin County, logging 2,272 career kills, 1,170 digs, 728 assists, and a team-leading hitting percentage of .385. Dufour also held a standard of excellence in the classroom, earning the Rosemary Weddington Foreign Language Award in French, along with academic honors in multiple subjects. She also loves to sing, having participated in multiple high school musicals. Dufour intends to major in Spanish, French, or international studies at AU.

Off the court and outside the classroom, Dufour has a unique personal background. She grew up in an off-the-grid handmade house with no electricity or running water on a 7,000-acre farm. Her family has four cats, two dogs, and five horses.

“I had never heard of AU when the coaches reached out to me after AAUs in 2023,” said Dufour. “But quality conversations with the coaching staff made me rank the school as one of my top choices. Then, I attended a summer camp and fell in love with both the campus and the team. There was no choice after that, and I'm so grateful to be here at AU!”
 

ALEX IOANNOU
Position: Libero
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Larnarka, Cyprus
 

Another international player, Ioannou was born and raised in Larnaka, Cyprus. She has spent her youth career playing at the highest level in Cypriot Volleyball Federation for Lemesos Volleyball, one of the best clubs in the country. As a starting libero for the U18 team, she contributed to three national championships. She’ll join Bella Marrero at American as the second libero on the roster.

Ioannou plans to major in graphics and visual communication design.

LEXIE RICHARDS
Position: Setter
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Carlsbad, California
 

Coming to AU from the west coast, Richards has seen widespread success in the sport in the state of California. A product of San Dieguito Academy, she was 2023 D1 Avocado League Player of the Year, Second Team All-San Diego, and voted Team MVP while leading her squad to a league championship in the same season. In club competition, she contributed to a first place finish at the Red Rock Rave Junior National Qualifiers in 2024. 

Richards plans to major in political science at AU. 

“I chose AU because the community here, both in the volleyball program and throughout campus, is amazing," said Richards. "I can't wait to be a part of it!”