ANCHORAGE (June 18) – Alaska Anchorage volleyball coach Morgan Hooe has finalized her team's roster for the upcoming season, adding more firepower with the signing of transfer Kyana Gabriel.

A 5-10 outside hitter, Gabriel will have two seasons of eligibility with the Seawolves after excelling at Western Nebraska Community College, and playing one season of Division I beach volleyball at Tennessee Tech.

The Hilo, Hawaii, native averaged 2.42 kills, 2.82 points and 1.80 digs over 236 career sets at Western Nebraska, posting six double-doubles as a sophomore in 2025. Among her big matches, she had a career-high 19 kills and four blocks in a 3-2 road win over North Platte, along with 12 kills and a career-best 18 digs in a 3-2 loss to Casper. Gabriel notched 2.23 kps on .213 hitting as a true freshman in 2023, before redshirting in 2024.

"Kyana is a powerful but smart hitter with a heavy arm swing and a high volleyball IQ," Hooe said. "She's consistent in serve receive, has great ball control, and can attack from anywhere on the court, adding another offensive and defensive weapon to our roster this fall. She had a successful career playing alongside (fellow UAA signee) Alex Gonzalez-Orozco at WNCC and gained even more experience playing this spring in Tennessee. We're excited she chose to spend her last two years as a Seawolf."

Gabriel brings UAA's 2026 recruiting class to eight members, joining fellow transfers Gonzalez-Orozco (5-5, L/DS, Gering, Neb./GHS/Western Nebraska CC), Mary Nahinu (5-5, L/DS, North Salt Lake, Utah/Skyridge HS/Norfolk State) and Rachael Reyes (5-8, S, Northridge, Calif./Sierra Canyon HS/San Francisco State), and incoming freshmen Patri Ferran (6-0, MB, Zaragoza, Spain/Service [AK] HS), Indy Kmet (6-1, OH, South Anchorage HS), Vaiula Leaoa (6-0, OH, Unalaska HS) and Sophie Tapley (5-8, RS, Kenai Central HS).