JERSEY CITY, N.J. (May 19, 2022) - The Saint Peter's University volleyball head coach Joseph Chojnacki announced the signing of 12 newcomers for the beginning of the 2022 season. The 12 student-athletes come to Jersey City from Texas, Georgia, New York, Arkansas, North Carolina, California and Michigan.
Chojnacki is excited for the future of the program. "As if replacing six graduating seniors wasn't hard enough, we also had to replace six other players, because like pretty much every team around the country, we unfortunately fell victim to the transfer portal," Chojnack said. "So to say this recruiting season was a bit of a challenge might be an understatement."
"Thanks to the help of our captains, Skylee Nelson and Camille Thoennes, who personally met all of our recruits either via Zoom meetings or in person. We have brought in an exciting group of young, hungry players that are committed to turning this program around. Any person can walk into an already successful program, but it takes a very special kind of athlete to walk into a program that has struggled. That's what this recruiting class is - special. I'm not only excited about this upcoming season, but I'm excited about our future and what we can do together."
Meet the Saint Peter's University Volleyball Class of 2026
Elena Bilhartz | Middle Blocker/Right Side | Round Rock, Texas | Cedar Ridge HS
Before Saint Peter's: Bilhartz comes to Saint Peter's after an extremely successful high school in Round Rock, Texas. Bilhartz was an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and a Third Team All-State selection in her senior year. A threat on and off the court, Bilhartz received the AVCA Best and Brightest Award presented to individuals who excel both in the classroom as well as on the court and was an Academic All-State selection.
Coach Chojnacki on Bilhartz: "Elena brings us size and experience coming from one of the top club programs in Texas."
Laken Dillon | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Wylie, Texas | Wylie East HS
Before Saint Peter's: Dillon will head Jersey City after graduating from and having a large amount of success at Wylie East High School in Wylie, Texas. Dillon earned Academic All-State honors her senior year at Wylie East and was also honored as a First Team All-District selection. A standout in the classroom, Dillon was also on the National Honor Society and won the Horizon Award as the Team's MVP.
Coach Chojnacki on Dillon: "Laken has been playing club volleyball for seven years so she's very experienced. She has great ball control with solid fundamentals."
Ava Harmon | Outside Hitter | Kennesaw, Georgia | Harrison HS
Before Saint Peter's: Harmon will arrive at Saint Peter's after graduating from Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. A three-year letterwinner, Harmon was an AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention honoree after an impressive senior season. Another strong option in the classroom, Harmon earned the AVCA Best and Brightest Award and landed on the Academic Honor Roll all four years of her high school career.
Coach Chojnacki on Harmon: "Ava brings a lot of energy and positive vibes to the court. She is a very well-rounded player with a high volleyball IQ."
Madelyn Harrison | Middle Blocker | Boston, New York | Hamburg HS
Before Saint Peter's: Harrison comes to Saint Peter's after spending the last four years at Hamburg High School in Boston, New York. Harrison was an All-Erie County Interscholastic Conference First Team selection her senior year at Hamburg. A multi-sport athlete, Harrison competed as a five-year letter winner for the track and field and women's basketball teams as well and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Chojnacki on Harrison: Madelyn is well trained coming from Niagara Frontier. She has great size and can really crank the ball."
Alexis Kapales | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Westside HS | Northeast Community College/Labette Community College
Before Saint Peter's: Kapales comes to Jersey City after spending the last two years playing in junior college at Northeast Community college in 2021 and Labette Community College in 2020. Last season with Northeast, Kapales was a strong defensive option for the Hawks finishing with 4.08 digs per set. At Westside High School, Kapales earned three All-State, All-Conference and All-District honors while also taking home three state championships.
Coach Chojnacki on Kapales: "Coming from a strong program at Northeast Community College, Alexis is a high energy player with great fundamentals."
Lillian Konrad | Setter/Defensive Specialist | Hope Mills, North Carolina | Gray's Creek HS
Before Saint Peter's: Konrad will arrive in Jersey City after a successful stint at Gray's Creek High School. Konrad helped lead Gray's Creek to three conference titles in her career and was an instrumental member of the 2021 team when she went on to earn First Team All-Conference honors, leading the league in assists per match in her senior season. Also a standout in the classroom, Konrad was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) in the 2021-22 academic year.
Coach Chojnacki on Konrad: "Lillian is a very experienced setter with great location and smart decision-making."
Sydney Kuzma | Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist | Portland, Texas | Gregory-Portland HS
Before Saint Peter's: Kuzma comes to Saint Peter's after an extremely successful high school career at Gregory-Portland High School in Portland, Texas. Kuzma helped lead GPHS to three Regional Quarterfinals and a pair of 29-5A District titles, going undefeated in league play in both of those seasons. In 2021, Kuzma was named the District Outstanding Hitter of the Year and was the All-South Texas MVP. Also a standout in the classroom, Kuzma earned Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Second Team Academic All-State honors her senior year.
Coach Chojnacki on Kuzma: "Our third player from the Lone Star State, Sydney brings a ton of energy and passion to the game. She's got a high volleyball IQ and has a really strong arm swing on the outside. After our first conversation, I had a strong feeling she would make a great fit for us."
Georgia Remmers | Right Side | Rocklin, California | Rocklin HS
Before Saint Peter's: Remmers heads to Jersey City after a successful high school career at Rocklin High School in Rocklin, California. Remmers was selected to the Women's Optimist All-Star game in 2021 and was named the North Team Most Valuable Player. In 2019, Remmers helped her team win the Sierra Foothills League title. Remmers won the Rocklin HS Scholar-Athlete award her senior year and was also a three-year member of the student council.
Coach Chojnacki on Remmers: "Georgia brings a wealth of experience, size and ability to play right side. She's also left handed which gives us a nice advantage at the net."
Ivanka Sikirić | Setter/Opposite | Allendale, N.J. | Northern Highlands Regional HS
Before Saint Peter's: Sikirić joins Peacock Nation after a strong playing career at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, N.J. The local product was a Second Team All-State selection in 2021 and earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2020. In her junior campaign, Sikirić helped her high school knock off Immaculate Heart Academy to snap their record 88-match winning streak that spanned four seasons.
Coach Chojnacki on Remmers: "We are very happy to welcome Ivanka to the Peacock family. She's a good athlete with size and, while her primary position will be at setter, she can also hit from the right side as well so she adds some depth at that position. She played for DIGS here in New Jersey, which is a respected club so she's been well coached."
Madison Somberg | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Commerce Township, Michigan | Walled Lake Central HS | Macomb Community College/Henry Ford College
Before Saint Peter's: Somberg comes to Saint Peter's after spending the last two seasons at junior colleges, attending Macomb Community College her freshman year and Henry Ford College in her sophomore campaign. In 2021, Somberg led the Hawks with 116 digs, averaging 8.2 digs per set. At Walled Lake Central High School, Somberg helped her squad to district and conference titles in her junior season.
Coach Chojnacki on Somberg: "Madison is transferring in from Henry Ford College, where she was a captain. She's another player with solid ball control and great energy on the court."
Morgan Thurlow | Middle Blocker | Bay Ridge, New York | Xaverian HS
Before Saint Peter's: Thurlow has signed with Saint Peter's after spending the last four years at Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge, New York. Thurlow earned AA All-League honors twice in her senior and sophomore seasons. In 2021, Thurlow led Xaverian to an 11-1 overall record and an appearance in the New York Catholic High School Athletic Association Championship match.
Coach Chojnacki on Thurlow: I love finding local talent and Morgan's club team, Brooklyn Elite, has established itself as one of the better club teams in the area. She has great speed at the net and can hit all the middle sets."
Mackenzie Tucker | Outside Hitter Defensive Specialist | Monroe, Michigan | Monroe HS
Before Saint Peter's: Tucker will arrive at Saint Peter's after a successful career at Monroe High School in Monroe, Michigan. Tucker was a standout on the court at Monroe, earning First Team All-Conference honors in her senior campaign while also being selected as a First Team All-Region player and the team Most Valuable Player. Off the court, Tucker was a four-year member of the Business Professionals of America.
Coach Chojnacki on Tucker: "Mackenzie is another player with a great court energy. She has a range of offensive shots with good power."
--
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks onTwitter, Instagram and Facebook.
