Volleyball Adds Three Transfers for 2022
12/14/2021 2:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RALEIGH – NC State volleyball head coach Luka Slabe has announced the addition of three transfers to the 2022 roster on Tuesday afternoon.
Joining the Wolfpack next season are graduate transfers Priscilla Hernandez and Vanja Bukilic along with Naomi Cabello.
Hernandez comes to Raleigh after playing four years at Miami as a defensive specialist/libero. In 2021, Hernandez played every set in all 30 matches, helping the Hurricanes reach the Second Round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. She finished her time at the U with 1,011 career digs, becoming the eighth player in Miami's school history to record 1,000 career digs.
The Miami, Fla., native finished last season with 420 digs to average 4.08 per set, good enough for third-highest in the ACC. Additionally, she recorded 15 or more digs in 13 matches highlighted by a career-high 29 digs in the match against Florida State on Oct. 6. Hernandez is also a threat in serving as she tallied 28 aces in 2021. Following the end of the season, Hernandez was named to the All-ACC Second Team.
"Priscilla has a ton of experience on the highest collegiate level," Slabe said. "Her poise and leadership skills are in her DNA. She is a fierce competitor that will significantly impact where this program is heading in the future. She understands the ins-and-outs of elite performance on and off the volleyball court."
Bukilic will make the trek to Raleigh from Columbus, Ohio, as she played all four years of her undergrad at Ohio State. The Belgrade, Serbia native played in 73 games as a Buckeye, recording single-match career highs of 19 kills, four aces, 10 digs and five blocks. She began her time at Ohio State in 2018 and led the team in kills (358) and points (406.5) highlighted by recording 25 matches with 10 or more kills, most on the team.
For her outstanding efforts during the tough CoVID-19 season in 2020-21, Bukilic was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. Additionally, she puts in great work in the classroom as she was named an OSU Scholar-Athlete in 2019 while also earning a spot on the All-Big Ten Academic Team in 2019 and 2020.
"The NC State volleyball family is pumped up about adding outside hitter Vanja Bukilić to the roster for fall 2022," Slabe said. "Vanja is bringing much needed collegiate and international experience. Standing at 6-6, she will add some size to our lineup. With her unique personality, she will be a great fit for our team."
Cabello makes her way to Raleigh from Texas where she played two seasons as a setter. As a Longhorn, Cabello played in 21 games, racking up 56 assists. Prior to her time at Texas, Cabello was a standout player at East Ridge High School as she was the No. 6 ranked recruit in the 2020 class.
The Clermont, Fla., native helped her high school win four consecutive District Championships as she was named the Team's MVP for the final three championship runs. Additionally, after a stellar senior season at East Ridge, Cabello was named to the 2019 AVCA Under Armour All-America First Team.
"Naomi is regarded as one of the best setters in the country," Slabe said. "We are fortunate to welcome her to our extraordinary group of young women. Our goal is to get a little better every day, and we are counting on Naomi to be one of the most significant contributors to this process."
Hernandez, Bukilic and Cabello will join four incoming freshmen that signed on National Signing Day to join the Wolfpack in 2022.
#GoPack | @PackVBall
Joining the Wolfpack next season are graduate transfers Priscilla Hernandez and Vanja Bukilic along with Naomi Cabello.
Hernandez comes to Raleigh after playing four years at Miami as a defensive specialist/libero. In 2021, Hernandez played every set in all 30 matches, helping the Hurricanes reach the Second Round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. She finished her time at the U with 1,011 career digs, becoming the eighth player in Miami's school history to record 1,000 career digs.
The Miami, Fla., native finished last season with 420 digs to average 4.08 per set, good enough for third-highest in the ACC. Additionally, she recorded 15 or more digs in 13 matches highlighted by a career-high 29 digs in the match against Florida State on Oct. 6. Hernandez is also a threat in serving as she tallied 28 aces in 2021. Following the end of the season, Hernandez was named to the All-ACC Second Team.
"Priscilla has a ton of experience on the highest collegiate level," Slabe said. "Her poise and leadership skills are in her DNA. She is a fierce competitor that will significantly impact where this program is heading in the future. She understands the ins-and-outs of elite performance on and off the volleyball court."
Bukilic will make the trek to Raleigh from Columbus, Ohio, as she played all four years of her undergrad at Ohio State. The Belgrade, Serbia native played in 73 games as a Buckeye, recording single-match career highs of 19 kills, four aces, 10 digs and five blocks. She began her time at Ohio State in 2018 and led the team in kills (358) and points (406.5) highlighted by recording 25 matches with 10 or more kills, most on the team.
For her outstanding efforts during the tough CoVID-19 season in 2020-21, Bukilic was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. Additionally, she puts in great work in the classroom as she was named an OSU Scholar-Athlete in 2019 while also earning a spot on the All-Big Ten Academic Team in 2019 and 2020.
"The NC State volleyball family is pumped up about adding outside hitter Vanja Bukilić to the roster for fall 2022," Slabe said. "Vanja is bringing much needed collegiate and international experience. Standing at 6-6, she will add some size to our lineup. With her unique personality, she will be a great fit for our team."
Cabello makes her way to Raleigh from Texas where she played two seasons as a setter. As a Longhorn, Cabello played in 21 games, racking up 56 assists. Prior to her time at Texas, Cabello was a standout player at East Ridge High School as she was the No. 6 ranked recruit in the 2020 class.
The Clermont, Fla., native helped her high school win four consecutive District Championships as she was named the Team's MVP for the final three championship runs. Additionally, after a stellar senior season at East Ridge, Cabello was named to the 2019 AVCA Under Armour All-America First Team.
"Naomi is regarded as one of the best setters in the country," Slabe said. "We are fortunate to welcome her to our extraordinary group of young women. Our goal is to get a little better every day, and we are counting on Naomi to be one of the most significant contributors to this process."
Hernandez, Bukilic and Cabello will join four incoming freshmen that signed on National Signing Day to join the Wolfpack in 2022.
#GoPack | @PackVBall
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