Garlacy signs four to National Letters of Intent

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2018-19 season.

Caroline Kennedy (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), Jenna Knight (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Haley O'Brien (Milton, Mass.) and Maya Popernik (Chicago, Ill.) make up the four-member signing class that will join the Bulldogs next summer.

"This class has the unique combination of good size and ball control," said Garlacy. "Our team block and serve receive improve with these four additions. They also possess unique personalities and court intensity that will mix well with our current roster chemistry."

Caroline Kennedy | OH | 5-10 | San Juan Capistrano, Calif./JSerra Catholic
Four-year letterwinner at JSerra Catholic High School … First-team all-league, team MVP and led Trinity League with 355 kills as a senior … Second-team all-league as a junior … Played her club volleyball for Laguna Beach Volleyball Club. 
Garlacy on Kennedy: "Caroline is an explosive pin hitter. She hits the ball hard and with accuracy. Caroline will be a force attacking out of both the front and back row."

Jenna Knight | S | 6-0 | Scottsdale, Ariz./Pinnacle
Four-year letterwinner at Pinnacle High School … All-district second team and team MVP as a senior … All-district honorable mention as a junior … Played her club volleyball for Livewire VBC.
Garlacy on Knight: "Jenna is a very composed player who can both run the offense and be a threat as an attacker in the front row. She is a solid blocker and will add great leadership to our program."

Haley O'Brien | MB | 6-1 | Milton, Mass./Milton
Four-year letterwinner at Milton High School … Sectional D2 finalists in 2017 … Two-time all-state honoree (2016, 2017) and three time Bay State League All-Star (2015, 2016, 2017) … Also played one year of basketball and lacrosse … Played her club volleyball for SMASH Volleyball Club.
Garlacy on O'Brien: "Haley is an awesome blocker and will provide depth at the middle blocker position. She is long and lean and has a very quick arm swing."

Maya Popernik | OH | 5-9 | Chicago, Ill./Whitney M. Young Magnet
Four-year letterwinner at Whitney M. Young Magnet School … Advanced to IHSA Class 4A Super 16 with a 30-win season as a senior … IHSA Class 4A Regional Champions in 2016 and 2017 … Chicago City Champions in 2015 and 2016 … Mother played volleyball and father played soccer at Loyola Chicago.
Garlacy on Popernik: "Maya's strength is her ball control and her jump. She is quick, agile and a diligent defender."

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