ANCHORAGE (Dec. 4) – Following a strong finish to its 2024 campaign, the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team began reloading Wednesday as head coach Stacie Meisner announced that five players have signed scholarship agreements with the Seawolves.

UAA will welcome four impending high school graduates – Trinity Byrne, Lauren Hutchinson, Katlin Kiko and Johana Malikova – along with junior college standout Yelizaveta Ivakina as newcomers on the 2025 roster.

A 5-10 outside hitter, Byrne joins the Seawolves after leading Post Falls High School to three consecutive Idaho 5A State Tournament semifinals appearances and earning Second Team All-State honors from the Idaho Statesman. In addition to finishing third all-time at Post Falls with 813 kills, she also excelled in track & field, twice helping her 4x400 relay team to podium finishes at the state meet.

Coach Meisner says:
"Trinity is a great six-rotation outside who developed tremendously throughout high school and club. She has a high volleyball IQ and is a true competitor. She will fill some gaps we will have next year at the pin hitter positions as well as provide some help in serve receive and defense."

A 5-11 middle blocker from Gig Harbor, Wash., Hutchinson comes north after capturing First Team PSL Narrows all-league honors as a senior at Bellarmine Prep, producing 340 kills on .250 hitting in her final campaign. Hutchinson also excelled in track & field, with personal bests of 73'-9" in the discus and 93'-0" in the javelin as a junior.

Coach Meisner says:
"Lauren is an athletic middle blocker who has also played a little on the pins. She jumps well and has played in high-level divisions with her club team. She is a noticeable leader on her team and has a high ceiling. I'm excited to see how she continues to develop and grow as a Seawolf."

A 6-0 pin hitter, Ivakina recently completed an outstanding JC career at Navarro College in Texas, helping her team to a combined 55-17 record and back-to-back NJCAA Tournament appearances. The Varna, Bulgaria, native averaged 3.43 kills and 4.09 points per set as a sophomore, leading the Bulldogs to their second straight Region 14 title match, and recording a career-best 30 kills against Blinn. As a freshman, she averaged 1.54 kps on .238 hitting for a Navarro team that won the Region 14 regular-season title and placed fourth at the national tournament.

Coach Meisner says:
"Lee will bring some much-needed experience to our team that is losing so many (five) seniors. As a six-rotation pin, we expect her to make a big contribution in the front and back row with her ability to score. She has been a leader for Navarro, and we are excited to see what she brings to our program."

A 5-4 libero/defensive specialist, Kiko continues UAA's strong tradition of Hawaiian players in the program. The Kapolei (Oahu) native recently led Kapolei High to its third consecutive HHSAA Div. I State Tournament appearance, propelling her team to the semifinals with 17 digs in a 3-1 upset of No. 4 Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii.

Coach Meisner says:
"Katlin is a great defensive player with a nice touch on the ball and good reads in serve receive. We are excited to bring some 'aloha' back to the team, and her positive energy will contribute greatly to our team culture."

A 5-10 setter, Malikova follows recent standout Vera Pluharova as the second Czech player in program history. From Kralupy nad Vlatovou, she most recently played for the Czech Republic squad at the 2024 ISF World School Volleyball Championships in Serbia. Malikova also brings experience from multiple seasons in her nation's top league – Extra Ligue – and has earned best setter and best server awards at the Czech Volleyball Championships.

Coach Meisner says:
"Johana is a skilled setter playing in the highest leagues in Czech. She is a true competitor and understands what it takes to be a successful setter at a high level of play. We're looking forward to what she will bring to our system."