Volleyball Welcomes 2024 Signee Class

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball head coach, Danielle Marante, announced the addition of 12 newcomers to the program for the 2024 season.

"We are excited to officially welcome these ladies to our team and Bulldog Family," said Marante. "These newcomers bring an elevated skill level, as well as determination and valuable experience, to our program."

Riley Barr

Freshman incomer from Laguna Niguel, California
Attended Aliso Niguel High School
Major: Psychology
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- CIF D2 Winner (Year)
- CIF D2 Runner-up (Year)
Favorite Professional Athlete: Misty May
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Movie: Rocky 2
Who Inspires You?: My parents

Kimberly Czepukaitis

Junior transfer from Delaware
Native of Dover, Delaware
Major: Business
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- MEAC Volleyball Champions
- NCAA Tournament Appearance
Deans List x4
Favorite Professional Athlete: Yossiana Pressley
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Movie: Hachi: A Dog's Tale
Who Inspires You?: God

Ana Djurovic

Junior transfer from Eastern Wyoming College
Native of Belgrade, Serbia
Major: Business
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- Freshman year - First team all-region
- Sophomore year - First team all-region
- Sophomore year - preseason nationally ranked 4th in scored points and 2nd in aces
Favorite Professional Athlete: Tijana Boskovic
Favorite Food: Pasta & Pancakes
Favorite Movie: All of the Harry Potter movies
Who Inspires You?: My family

Alise Evans

Freshman incomer from Pensacola, Florida
Attended Oak Park High School
Favorite Professional Athlete: Her Dad- Reginald Evans
Favorite Food: Salmon
Favorite Movie: The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas
Who Inspires You?: My sister and Janiah Barker

Alison Goldberg

Freshman incomer from Orlando, Florida
Attended Lake Highland Prep
Major: Business
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- 2x Prep Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Favorite Professional Athlete: Michael Jordan
Favorite Food: Hibachi
Favorite Movie: Mamma Mia
Who Inspires You?: My parents

Catherine Hubiak

Freshman incomer from Delray Beach, Florida
Attended Boca Raton High School
Major: Marketing
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- 2023 "Land Rover Player of the Week"
- 7x's Max Preps "Player of the Match" Award Recipient
- 4 Year District Champion
- 2 Year Regional Runner-up Champion
- 3rd at State Championships - 2022
Favorite Professional Athlete: Roger Federer
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Movie: Surf's Up
Who Inspires You?: My siblings and my mom

Suzuka Kato

Freshman incomer from Blacksburg, Virginia/ Shizuoka, Japan
Attended Blacksburg High School
Major: Biology
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- District first team
- Region 4D first team
- Class 4 all-state first team
- Timesland second team
Favorite Professional Athlete: Yuki Ishikawa
Favorite Food: Ramen
Favorite Movie: Spirited Away
Who Inspires You?: Masato Kai

Payton Leidy

Freshman incomer from Zephyrhills, Florida
Attended Zephyrhills High School
Major: Psychology
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- Dean's List and All-Conference in High School for both weightlifting and volleyball
Favorite Professional Athlete: Lexi Rodriguez
Favorite Food: Chicken
Favorite Movie: Anyone but You
Who Inspires You?: Lexi Rodriguez

Payton Rolfsen

Junior transfer from Emory and Henry University
Native of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Major: Psychology
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- 1100+ assists by Sophomore year
- Dean's List (Freshman and Sophomore year)
- Student Success Award
Favorite Professional Athlete: Kerri Walsh
Favorite Food: Buffalo Chicken
Favorite Movie: Saving Mr. Banks
Who Inspires You?: My mom

Grace Ryland

Freshman incomer from North Platte, Nebraska
Attended North Platte High School
Major: Business
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- Prep dig ranking
Favorite Food: Fruit
Favorite Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Who Inspires You?: My dad

Avery Schwieger

Freshman incomer from Winter Park, Florida
Attended Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Major: Mass Communication
Favorite Professional Athlete: LeBron James
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Movie: Fast and Furious
Who Inspires You?: My parents

Arianna Warner Torres

Junior transfer from Daytona State College
Native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Major: Psychology
Athletic Awards or Notable Accomplishments:
- Osceola County Player of the Year 2022
- Player of the Week honors NJCAA, Including setter of the week and defensive player of the week
- Defensive Player of the Year 2023 season
Favorite Food: Carne Guisada
Favorite Movie: Toy Story
Who Inspires You?: My parents

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About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank

First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.4 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 118 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

Players Mentioned