MIAMI, Fla. – With the 2022 season just around the corner, FIU head volleyball coach Cristina Robertson announced the newest additions to the Panther mix on Tuesday, welcoming 14 newcomers to program.
The 2022 signing class features 14 players from seven different states and three countries. The Panthers added a trio of middle blockers and liberos apiece, in addition to three opposite hitters, outside hitters and two setters.
"We are excited to welcome the 2022 recruiting class to our program. This class brings a lot of size, athleticism, skill, and depth to an already talented roster," Robertson said. "This group has vast experience competing at high levels and is an incredible group of young women who will have an immediate and lasting impact on our program. We are ready to get to work and believe we have a bright future as a program."
Maylen Mitrovich (5'11" | Rock Hill, South Carolina | North Carolina)
Mitrovich joins the Panthers after redshirting at North Carolina in 2021, having appeared in 11 matches, including six starts, and 44 sets for the Tar Heels. Mitrovich finished second on the team with 255 assists for the 2020-21 season while recording five matches with double-digit dig totals, including career bests of 15 digs twice. Prior to North Carolina, Mitrovich was named an AVCA Phenom as she starred at Rock Hill High School, earning 5A All-State accolades and all-conference honors after tallying 609 kills, 423 digs, 46 aces and 38 blocks through three seasons.
Sarah Nading (5'10" | Setter | Austin, Texas | Abilene Christian)
Nading comes to Miami after spending the previous two seasons at Abilene Christian, having made 26 appearances and played in 90 sets at setter. Nading finished second on the squad in 2021 with 240 assists, while also adding 36 digs, 17 blocks and four service aces. As a freshman, she also finished second on the team with 253 assists. Prior to Abilene Christian, Nading starred as a First Team All-State, two-time All-Centrex and two-time District Setter MVP at Dripping Springs High School. Additionally, off the court, Nading has received Southland Commissioner's Honor Roll an academic all-state recognition throughout her career.
Alyssa Wissinger (6'2" | Middle Blocker | Chandler, Arizona | Boise State)
Wissinger joins FIU after aiding Boise State to the 2021 Mountain West Conference championship. The Middle Blocker led the Broncos with 140 blocks and ranked second on the squad with 209 kills during the 2021 championship run. Off the court, Wissinger was named to the Academic All-Mountain West team twice and named a two-time Mountain West Scholar-Athlete.
Athina Dimitriadis (6'5" | Middle Blocker | Thessaloniki, Greece | Hofstra)
Dimitriadis comes to Miami after spending the last three seasons at Hofstra of the Colonial Athletic Conference. The Middle Blocker ranked fourth on the Pride with 178 kills and third with 67 blocks during the 2021 campaign. During the 2019 season, Dimitriadis was named to the CAA All-rookie team. Academically, Dimitriadis was a dean's list student and was a member of the Athletic Director Scholars Academic Honor Roll and was a CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll recipient.
Madisen Miller (5'8" | Libero | Appleton, Wisconsin | Appleton North HS)
Miller arrives at FIU fresh off a decorated career in the Wisconsin prep ranks. Miller helped Appleton North High School to an Alt Year State Championship in 2021 before leading the Lightning to a Runner-up finish in the 2021 regular season. The libero was named First Team All-State twice and an honorable mention AVCA All-American. During her senior season, Miller recorded 427 digs and 63 aces. She was also awarded the AVCA Best and Brightest Award and the Academic Excellence Award four times.
Beste Ayhan (6'4" | Middle Blocker | Istanbul, Turkey | UMBC)
Ayhan comes to Miami after winning back-to-back America East titles at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) under the tutelage of current head Panther Cristina Robertson. The Middle blocker enjoyed a record-breaking 2021 season at UMBC as Ayhan ranked third in the nation with 144 blocks, which set the program record. Ayhan also holds the UMBC record with 126 block assists in a season. The Turkey native is also the only Retriever in program history to have 10+ blocks in multiple matches. Ayhan was named to the 2021 America East All-Championship team.
Katie Turner (5'7" | Libero | Parker, Colorado | Delaware)
Turner joins FIU after spending the two previous seasons at Delaware of the Colonial Athletic Conference. The libero scooped a team-best 367 digs during the 2021 season for the Blue Hens. In the classroom, Turner was named to the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and to the dean's list three times.
Madison Morgan (6'3" | Opposite Hitter | Bellville, Texas | Bellville HS)
Morgan arrives in Miami after a prolific prep career in the Lone Star State. The Opposite hitter claimed region and district MVP honors while at Bellville High school. Morgan also assisted the Brahmanettes to back-to-back regional titles in 2020 and 2021. The Texas native helped lead HJV 17 to a Girls Junior National Championship in 2021. Away from the court, Morgan was a member of the National Honor Society.
Mackenzie Morgan (6'2" | Outside Hitter | Bellville, Texas | Texas Tech)
Morgan comes to Eighth Street after helping the Texas Tech Red Raiders to an NCAA tournament berth during the 2021 season. The outside hitter totaled 34 kills and 46.5 points over her two seasons in Lubbock. Morgan was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First team in 2021. During her prep career at Bellville High School, Madison was named a 2019 AVCA High School All-Region honoree and an Under Armour All-American to cap off a stellar senior season.
Kira Givans (6'3" | Outside Hitter | Sacramento, California | UMBC)
Givans comes to Miami after spending her rookie campaign at UMBC, in which she helped the Retrievers to an America East title and NCAA Tournament bid in 2021. Givans appeared in 11 matches, including two starts, tallying 50 kills on the season, highlighted by consecutive career-high 14-kill performances against Quinnipiac and Howard last season. She previously starred at Rio Americano High School, leading the team to a Capital Athletic League title as a three-time Capital Athletic League First Team selection from 2019-21. Additionally, Givans earned Second Team All-Metro honors in 2020.
Paige Thibault (5'6" | Libero | Watertown, Minnesota | Indiana Wesleyan)
Thibault comes to Miami after a single season at Indiana Wesleyan, where the libero helped lead the Wildcats to an NAIA Sweet Sixteen appearance. The Minnesota native led Indiana Wesleyan with 464 digs and ranked second on the squad with 53 assists and 26 service aces. Thibault was named to the 2021 Crossroads League All-Freshman team while being named 2021 All-Crossroads League Honorable mention.
Yasso Amin (6'1" | Opposite Hitter | Cairo, Egypt | UTEP)
Amin arrives in Miami after helping fellow Conference USA foe UTEP to a semifinal finish in the 2021 National Invitational Volleyball Championship. During her lone season in El Paso, Amin ranked fourth on the Miners with 227 kills and third with 2.39 kills per set. Before UTEP, Amin was named an AVCA and an NJCCA All-American at Florida Southwestern State along with claiming Suncoast Conference Player of the Year honors. Amin was also a member of the Egyptian U18, U20 and U23 national teams.
Ilayda Demirtas (6'5" | Opposite Hitter | Adana, Turkey | Hawaii)
Demirtas joins the Panthers after spending her freshman season at Hawaii, in which the Rainbow Wahine won the 2021 Big West title and made an appearance in the NCAA Championships. Prior to Hawaii, Demirtas starred at Gelisim College where she went undefeated en route to winning the 2019-20 Izmir Championship. She finished second in the 2018-19 Izmir Championship while finishing third in the country in 2019 with Gelisim College Sports Club and fourth in 2017-18. Additionally, Dermitas holds strong academics off the court, receiving academic certificates of honors in 2018-19 and 2019-20, along with certificates of appreciation from 2017-19 and 2020-21.
Sierra Moore (6'0" | Outside Hitter | Plymouth, Minnesota | Wayzata HS)
Moore joins FIU after leading Wayzata High School to a second Minnesota State Championship in three seasons. With the assistance of Moore, the Trojans also claimed state in 2019 and 2021. During her senior campaign at Wayzata, Moore totaled 239 kills and 27 service aces. On the court, Moore claimed All-State and Lake Conference awards. In the classroom, Moore received All-State Academic recognition and an Athena Award nomination.
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