CEDAR CITY, Utah — Southern Utah volleyball announced its signing class during the 2025–26 National Signing Period, as head coach Danielle Jensen welcomed the newest members of the Thunderbirds program.
Head Coach Danielle Jensen said
"This signing class represents an important step forward for our program. Each of these student-athletes brings a unique skill set that will benefit us greatly. We're looking forward to watching them grow and develop as Thunderbirds."
Meet the New Thunderbirds
Audrey Atwood / 6'0 / Outside Hitter / Idaho Falls, Idaho / Utah State University Eastern
Atwood earned first-team all-state honors during her junior and senior seasons of high school, setting a school record with 1,501 kills in a single season. She was named all-state and all-conference in both years and ranked 13th nationally in kills. Following high school, she competed at USU Eastern, where she earned multiple Player of the Week honors, was named Player of the Year, and received first-team All-SWAC and all-region recognition, as well as All-American honors, during the 2024–25 season.
Emilia Zug / 5'11 / Outside Hitter / Kolobrzeg, Poland / Utah State University Eastern
Zug earned multiple MVP honors at the national and regional levels, including MVP of the final tournament, which earned promotion to the Women's Second Polish League in Police in April 2023. She was also named MVP and Best Player of the Match at the Junior Women's Polish Championship semifinals in Bydgoszcz in March 2022 and at the regional final for promotion to the Second League in Kolobrzeg in March 2023. Additional honors include Best Player of the Tournament at events in Kolobrzeg in November 2022 and March 2023, as well as MVP recognition at the West Pomeranian Provincial Women's Volleyball Championship. At USU Eastern, she was a two-year starter and earned all-region honors.
Natalie Moore / 6'0 / Middle Blocker / Greeley, Colorado / Northeastern Junior College
Moore helped NJC finish sixth nationally during her freshman season and earned a spot on the Region 9 Tournament Team. As a sophomore, she contributed to a third-place national finish, the highest in program history, and was named Region 9 Tournament MVP. She ranks fifth all-time in program history with 319 career blocks over the past two seasons.
Talea Berry / 5'7 / Setter / Newport Beach, California / Newport Harbor HS
A highly accomplished setter, Berry brings an impressive resume to Southern Utah University after a decorated prep and club career. She earned 2025 All-Conference Sunset League First Team honors after being named a 2024 All-Conference Sunset League Second Team selection, while also receiving All-Conference Academics recognition. A four-year varsity letterwinner in both indoor and beach volleyball, she provided steady leadership as a two-year team captain for Newport Harbor and Balboa Bay. Her teams qualified for the CIF Division 1 playoffs in both 2022 and 2025.
Kaitlyn Barnes / 5'10 / Defensive Specialist / Pleasant Grove, Utah / Northeastern Junior College
An accomplished competitor at both the high school and collegiate levels, Barnes arrives at Southern Utah with a proven track record of excellence. She was selected to the 6A All-Star Team and earned First Team All-Region honors during her high school career before continuing her success at the collegiate level. In 2025, she was named Conference Tournament MVP, while also earning six Player of the Game awards and multiple Conference Player of the Week honors, underscoring her consistent impact and ability to perform in high-pressure moments.
Emilia Linden / 6'0 / Middle Blocker / Milton, Washington / Tacoma Community College
Linden earned first-team all-conference honors while leading the NWAC in service aces and solo blocks. She also ranked among the top five in the conference in kills, highlighting her impact as a well-rounded offensive and defensive presence.
Molly Mitchell / 6'2 / Middle Blocker / Lindon, Utah / Pleasant Grove, HS
Mitchell earned first-team all-valley and first-team all-region honors and was also recognized as a World Language Sterling Scholar, highlighting excellence both on the court and in the classroom.
Maya Banks / 6'1 / Right Side Hitter / Chino Hills, California / University of Nevada Las Vegas
As a freshman in 2025, Banks appeared in eight matches, all in conference play, competing in 25 sets while totaling 24 kills, seven digs, seven block assists, and 27.5 points. She recorded a season-high seven kills against Fresno State on Sept. 27, adding two block assists in the match. A product of Chino Hills High School and the T-Street Irvine Volleyball Club, she earned MVP honors at the Riverside Sheriff Association All-Star Volleyball Classic. She helped lead championship teams at the state, regional, and league levels. Over her prep career, she played in 322 sets, recording 1,004 kills with a .317 hitting percentage and 203 blocks, earning multiple all-league honors and all-tournament selections. She was also a four-time Under Armour All-America Camp invitee and ranked No. 8 among opposites in California by Prep Dig.
Zorana Stankovska / 5'5 / Libero - Defensive Specialist / Skopje, Macedonia / Trinity Valley Community College
Stankovska is a member of the Macedonia National Team and was part of an NJCAA Region XIV Conference Championship team. She also earned NJCAA Region XIV all-conference honors, highlighting her success at both the national and collegiate levels.
Ava Tessen-Roodbol / 5'11 / Setter / Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Sacred Heart University
Tessen-Roodbol was a member of an 18U Canadian National Championship team, earned MAAC Setter of the Week honors twice, and served as a team captain at Sacred Heart, demonstrating leadership and consistent performance at a high level.
Ryen Smith / 5/11 / Right Side Hitter / Smithfield, Utah / Salt Lake Community College
Smith competed in four varsity seasons for the Bobcats, earning 12 Player of the Game honors during her prep career. She was named the Herald Journal's Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 after setting a Sky View school record with 454 kills as a senior while hitting at a 43 percent clip. She finished her high school career with 133 service aces, 142 blocks, 547 digs, and 385 assists.
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