BOSTON – The Northeastern volleyball program and head coach Ken Nichols announced the addition of five student-athletes to the incoming freshman class on Friday. Hannah Boyd, Brianna Daphnis, Bridget Holly, Charlotte MacDonald and Kaylyn Winkler will join the Huskies' roster in the 2018 season.

"This group will have an impact both in the classroom and on the court, but it's their desire to be coached and to work hard that has me so thrilled for our next season," Nichols said.
 
The incoming class includes two middle blockers, a outside hitter, a right-side hitter and a setter. The five athletes come from Illinois, Massachusetts and Texas.
 
"These student-athletes are receiving coaching from fantastic people who also happen to have the highest levels of experiences. They are committed to their academics, Northeastern, the game and their own improvement," Nichols said.
 
Meet the New Huskies: 
 
Hannah Boyd
Fort Worth, Texas  |  Boswell H.S.  |  Drive Nation  |  6-2  |  Outside
 

• Eagle Mountain-Saginaw District Championship (2017, 2016)
• Star Telegram all-area first team and District 6-5A MVP (2017)
• Eagle Mountain-Saginaw all-district selection (2017, 2016, 2014)
• Named Boswell High School MVP (2017, 2015)
• Girls' Junior National Championships all-star team (2016)
• Played club for Stevie Mussie at the Drive Nation Volleyball Club

 Coach Nichols on Boyd:
"Hannah is an exceptional offensive player who, as a middle hitter, possessed a powerful and aggressive swing. Most importantly, Hannah has a great work ethic and attitude that clearly permeates the others on the court with her. It's obvious that she will have a strong and immediate impact on our program."
 

Brianna Daphnis 
League City, Texas  |  Clear Falls H.S.  |  Absolute Volleyball  |  5-10  |  Middle
 

• Class 6A Region III Runner-up (2017)
• All-District Second Team, GHVCA All Star, All-State Academic (2017)
• AVCA UnderArmour Watch List and Phenom List (2017)
• Played club under Marko Majstorovic at the Absolute Volleyball Academy of Texas 

Coach Nichols on Daphnis:
"Brianna is another offensive weapon that I am very much looking forward to coaching this coming season.  She has experience both in the middle and as a pin hitter and at 5'10" she attacks well beyond 10' with ease.  Brianna is reminiscent of Kelly Bacon who was a conference player of the year in the CAA and I believe she can have a similar impact.  With her athleticism, Brianna has the luxury of waiting for blockers to commit and couples her play with a terrific attitude and great desire to win. "
 
 
Bridget Holly 
La Grange, Ill.  |  Nazareth Academy  |  Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy |  Middle
 

• Team captain at Nazareth Academy 
• Third place at the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals (2017)
• Ninth place at the AAU Junior Nationals (2016)
• IHSA 3A Regional Champions (2015, 2014)
• East Suburban Conference 3A Champions (2014)
• Most Valuable Newcomer at Nazareth Academy (2014)
• Played for Bryn Kehoe and Jordan Vidovic at the Michio Chicago Volleyball Club

 
Coach Nichols on Holly:
"Bridget has developed as a mature and collected setter capable of picking apart other team's weaknesses, and is, therefore, certain to adapt to our style of play with ease..  Bridget is experienced at the kind of tempo necessary to be successful at our level and will give us interesting options in our offensive schemes.  She is cut from the same stone as the others in terms of her work ethic and attitude, which is certain to make her development and influence here significant."
 
 
Charlotte MacDonald 
Westwood, Mass.  |  Noble and Greenough School  |  SMASH  |  6-2  |  Right 
 

• Four-year varsity letterwinnner on the Noble and Greenough volleyball
• Independent School League Champions (2016)
• A tri-sport athlete at Noble and Greenough (volleyball, basketball, lacrosse)
• Like freshman Athena Ardilla, MacDonald played under Judy Slamin and Richard Barton at the Smash Volleyball Club,

 
Coach Nichols on MacDonald:
"Charlotte will afford us some flexibility, as she is capable of playing both in the middle and on the right. She posses an uncanny ability to read and block hitters that usually develops in those with many more years of experience. Her attack touch and athleticism will allow her to find open patches of court with ease. She posses a great sense of respect for our sport and our program and has made it clear to me that her work ethic will afford her the opportunity to develop significantly as a player."
 
 
Kaylyn Winkler 
San Antonio, Texas  |  Johnson H.S. |  San Antonio Magic Club  |  6-3  |  Middle
 

• Named North East offensive MVP and First Team All-Team in 2017
• Highest hitting percentage at Johnson during her senior season
• All Tournament at Smithson Valley (2017) and at Fraulein Volleyfest (2017, 2016)
• North East Co-District Champions (2016)
• Named North East Second Team All-District (2016)
• Played for Albert Trevino at the San Antonio Magic Club

 
Coach Nichols on Winkler:
"Kaylyn is capable of making people stop in their tracks with her ability to pound the ball at incredible angles and at a frightening pace.  With effortless movements and great anticipation, Kaylyn is a force at the net as a blocker as well.  With the experience she is accumulating at the highest levels and her very positive and even temper, I expect she will make an immediate splash in our gym and in the CAA."
 
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