Garlacy adds six signees for 2019 season

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy has announced the signing of six student-athletes for the 2019 season.

Mia Cergol (East Northport, N.Y.), Riley James (Pocasset, Mass.), Emma McGovern (Long Beach, N.Y.), Abby Rae (Walpole, Mass.), Maggie Ryan (Bethesda, Md.) and Alysa Wright (Wayne, Pa.) will join the Bulldogs in the fall of 2019.

This recruiting class provides our program with great balance in a variety of positions," said Garlacy. "It also gives us some much-needed size in the front row."

Mia Cergol | S/RS | 5-10 | East Northport, N.Y./Elwood-John H. Glenn
Played her high school volleyball at Elwood-John H. Glenn High School on Long Island … Newsday Suffolk County Player of the Year in 2018 … Three-time All-Long Island and all-county selection … First-team all-state as a junior and senior … League player of the year as a senior … Has played in three Long Island championships and three state championships … Plays her club volleyball for Long Island Volleyball Academy.

Garlacy on Cergol: "Mia Cergol is a smooth, consistent setter with excellent body control and a tough under the wire serve. She also has the ability to be an offensive threat in the front row."

Riley James | OH | 5-10 | Pocasset, Mass./Barnstable
Played her high school volleyball at Barnstable (Mass.) High School … First-team AVCA Under Armour All-America selection, earning a spot in the Under Armour All-America match at the NCAA Final Four … Three-time PrepVolleyball.com All-America honoree … 2018 Boston Globe Player of the Year … Two-time state champions and three-time league champions … 2016 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year … Plays her club volleyball for SMASH Volleyball Club.

Garlacy on James: "Riley James plays with a quiet intensity but will light it up in the front and back row. She's a solid defender and we expect her to assume some serve receive responsibility as well."

Emma McGovern | OH | 5-10 | Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach
Played her high school volleyball at Long Beach (N.Y.) High School … Newsday first-team All-Long Island selection in 2018 … All-state honoree in 2018 … Second-team All-LI in 2017 … Helped Long Beach to its first Class AA state championship in 2018 in the program's first undefeated season … Nassau Class AA county champions and LIC Class AA finalists in 2017 … Her brother, Matt, runs cross country and track & field at Bryant … Plays her club volleyball for Sportime VBC.

Garlacy on McGovern: "Emma is a big leaper with a really fast arm. She is following her brother's path to Bryant and will be a potent offensive threat."

Abby Rae | L/DS | 5-6 | Walpole, Mass./Walpole
Played her high school volleyball at Walpole (Mass.) High School … Three-time Bay State Conference champions … Four-time first-team Bay State Conference All-Star … 2018 Boston Globe All-Scholastic honoree … Division 1 State All-Star as a junior in 2017 … Division 1 South sectional finalists in 2016 … Also played one year of softball … Plays her club volleyball for SMASH Volleyball Club.

Garlacy on Rae: "Abby Rae will take over as our only lefty. She is a potent server and scrappy defender. Abby could also be a viable back row attacker."

Maggie Ryan | MB/RS | 6-1 | Bethesda, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross
Played her high school volleyball at Academy of the Holy Cross in Maryland … Three-time Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champions … Two-time WCAC honorable mention selection … Plays her club volleyball for Metro Volleyball Club of DC.

Garlacy on Ryan: "Maggie Ryan has the personality and energy we need on offense. She is a standout blocker. Maggie loves to pound the ball and does this from the middle as well as the right side."

Alysa Wright | MB | 6-2 | Wayne, Pa./Bishop Shanahan
Played her high school volleyball at Bishop Shanahan in Pennsylvania … State finalist in 2017 … State semifinalist in 2016 … Two-time All-Chestmont League selection … Also earned all-district honors … Plays her club volleyball for East Coast Power Volleyball.

Garlacy on Wright: "Alysa Wright is a fierce competitor with a whip for an arm swing. She hits the ball hard and transitions fast. Her block will be a welcome addition."

Follow Bryant University volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.