Garlacy adds five to class of 2025
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy has announced five signees who will join the Black and Gold for the 2021 fall season in Smithfield.
The five additions to the class of 2025 include Aubrey LaPour, Carolina Camacho, Miranda Jantzen, Gianna Grigaliunas, and Morgan Smith.
"This talented group of five demonstrates the core qualities that I look for as a coach at Bryant," stated Garlacy. "They are young women who have demonstrated that they possess good character, proven leadership, and they always play with intensity and energy. Consistency of performance is the name of the game with this overtly competitive class. Together they create a recipe for success to continue the legacy that is Bryant Volleyball."
Aubrey LaPour | OH | 5-11 | Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs South
A three-year varsity letterwinner at Blue Springs South High School under head coach Mallori Perry … Led her high school squad to its best finish of 28-6 during the 2018 season … In one season she tallied 281 kills, 24 blocks, and 160 digs … Named All-District in 2018 … Earned back-to-back First Team All-Conference and All-District honors in 2019 and 2020 … Named All-State in 2019 … Plays club volleyball for Pohaku under head coach Conan Salanoa … Helped her club team qualify for Open Division at Nationals three out of the last four years … Named to the 2019 Prep Volleyball Watchlist … Member of the USA High-Performance Continental Team ... Named All-State and received Moken All-Star honors in 2020 ... Earned First Team All-Area during her senior season ... Named Academic All-State in 2020-21 ... Led her club team to a second-place finish at the USA Volleyball Jr. Nationals Championship an in the 18 National Division and was named All-Tournament Team.
Coach Garlacy: "Aubrey LaPour is a super competitive elite athlete who loves fitness training and lays out for every ball. She is a bundle of energy who gives full effort every time she steps on the court. Her hits pack a mean punch as she elevates extremely well and has a quick arm. Her family-oriented personality will fit in well here."
Carolina Camacho | S | 5-8 | Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Saint John's School
A four-year varsity letterwinner at Saint John's School in Puerto Rico under head coach Yarleen Santiago … Led her team to two-straight Conference Championships as a freshman and sophomore … Helped her high school team become Sectional and Regional Champions during her freshman and junior season … Led her team to a second-place national finish as a freshman … A three-time First Team All-Conference honoree and three-time Team MVP … Served her team as a captain for three-straight years … Averaged 12 assists per set, five digs per set, two kills per set, one ace per set, and one block per set … Plays club volleyball for Guaynabo Volleyball Academy (GVA) under head coach Saul Almazanar … Led her club team to five-straight Puerto Rico Volleyball Championships, four-straight Power League Volleyball Championships, four-straight Spring Volleyball Tournament Championships, and one Volleyball Showcase Championship … Won a bronze medal at the High Performance Volleyball Tournament with her club team … Earned the title of All-Star in 2015 … Named Team MVP during club volleyball in 2016-2019 … Member of the Puerto Rican National Team in 2019 … Participated in the Panamerican Cup with the National Team (sub-20) in Lima, Peru where the team finished fourth … Helped the sub-18 National Team become Sub-Champions at the Panamareican Cup … Finished 16th at the World Volleyball Championship with the sub-18 National Team in Egypt.
Coach Garlacy: "Carolina Camacho is a fast, sleek student of the game. A defensive-minded setter who takes control of the court and runs a balanced offense. The ball leaves her hand with a good tempo and her feet are quick as well. She has experience playing for the Puerto Rico Youth National Team which will help her adjust to the speed of the collegiate game."
Miranda Jantzen | OH/OPP/DS | 5-10 | Louisville, Ky./Assumption High School
A two-year varsity letterwinner at Assumption high school under head coach Ron Kordes … Led her high school team to a Kentucky State Championship Title in 2019 with a 36-7 overall mark before following up in 2020 as Kentucky State Quarterfinalists with a 16-3 overall record … Helped her high school team to a LIVT Championship in 2020 after becoming LIVT Runner-ups the year prior in 2019 … Notched 61 kills with a .216 hitting percentage and 22 solo blocks during the 2019 and 2020 season … Plays club volleyball for KIVA Sports.
Coach Garlacy: "Miranda Jantzen is an explosive jumper and very versatile, she can play either pin and with sound fundamentals, she knows how to complete and loves pressure situations. A solid receiver and defender who will follow in Bryant's tradition of athletic pin hitters. She is a potent offensive threat that will thrive in the speed of our offense."
Morgan Smith | MB | 6-1 | Sturbridge, Mass./Tantasqua Regional Senior High School
A four-year varsity letterwinner at Tantasqua Regional Senior High School under head coach Twarowski … Helped her high school team become first in the Southern Worcester County League (SWCL) as a sophomore and second in the league as a freshman and junior … Invited to the USA Volleyball High Performance A2 Summer Camp where she won the team's Most Improved Award in 2017-18 … Led her high school team in aces and kills with a season-best 19 kills … Earned SWCL Second Team as a sophomore and SWCL First Team as a junior … Named Honorable Mention for the Central Mass Super Team … Previously played club volleyball for Smash Volleyball Club before playing for the South County Juniors Volleyball Club in 2020-21 under head coach Iain McCoy … Led her club team to three-straight Winterfest Championships … Helped her club team become the top U-16 team in New England and placed third in Nerva 18's Open.
Coach Garlacy: "Morgan Smith continues the Smash Volleyball connection as it is the club the Haley O'Brien, Riley James, Abby Rae, and Josie Deluga played for. She is long and lanky and has a massive reach on the block. She is a hard worker who is eager to learn. Her positive personality makes her a great teammate. She is also easy going off the court but turns into a fierce competitor when she steps on."
Gianna Grigaliunas | L | 5-7 | River Edge, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy
A four-year varsity letterwinner at Immaculate Heart Academy under head coach Maria Nolan … Posts a 114-6 overall record across three years during her high school career … Helped her high school team become undefeated reigning champions during all three years … Earned First Team All-Big North Conference in 2019 … Named as a Top-15 player in the State Tournament in 2019 … Placed in Top 30 Gym Dandies which ranks the nations top defensive players … Led her high school team to three-straight New Jersey Tournament of Champions Championships … Continued the trend of 13-straight years as a Non-Public State Champion … Helped her high school team finish first in the region and seventh nationally in 2019 … Plays club volleyball with DIGS Volleyball Club under head coach Bill Lee … Served her club team as team captain for seven years.
Coach Garlacy: "Gianna Gigi Grigaliunas is a multi-talented athlete, super into fitness training, surfing, and will thrive with our strength and conditioning program. She is athletic, fit, and hardcore, no ball will hit the floor untouched with her in range. A tough server she passes money and is relentless on defense."