TOWSON, Md. -- With spring training just around the corner, Towson University women's volleyball head coach Don Metil has announced a six-member class that will be joining the Tigers for the 2019 season.
"This is a talented class for Towson volleyball and adds quickness, height, skill and tenacity," Metil said. "This group of new Tigers know how to win and have the competitive character that we know are essential to succeeding in the CAA. Our total team culture will be enhanced with this great group of people and I look forward to seeing them compete in Black and Gold."
Joining the Tigers next season will be Asia Goins, Danielle Gravina, Katie McCracken, Madison Salvatoriello, Ally Townsend and Lydia Wiers. Below is a capsule on the accomplishments of each new Tiger to date.
Asia Goins
Helped lead U16 AAU team to a national championship in 2016 … named honorable mention Prep Volleyball Soph 79 in the same season … set Avon High School record for most service attempts in a match ... paced high school team to a 4A Indiana Volleyball State Championship in 2017 … guided team to 4A Indiana Volleyball State Runner-Up in 2018 … played club with prestigious Munciana Volleyball ... earned Four-Year Varsity Letter Award … lettered in academics in 2018-19 … worked with Avon Incredible Mentors Leadership committee … mentored younger students to be successful in high school and how to overcome struggles.
Danielle Gravina
High School: Four-year starter at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School … led team to Halton Championship Finals and GHAC Finals in 2018 … served as a team captain as a junior and senior … earned MVP honors as a junior … also a member of the varsity soccer, field hockey and badminton teams … four-time honour roll recipient … achieved highest overall average for her class as a freshman, sophomore and junior … selected as the CEO of Business Leadership Conference in 2019.
Club: Won two Canadian national championships (2016, 2017) with the Halton Hurricanes and claimed silver in 2018 … won All-Star at Volleyball Canada National Championships in 2017 and 2018 … won MVP at Volleyball Canada National Championships in 2016 … served as a club team captain for the last four seasons … selected as an OVA All-Star in 2017 … won gold at the Indoor Provincial in 2016 and silver in 2017 … collected gold at the Beach Provincial in 2015 and silver in 2016 … member of Team Ontario from 2016-19 and will compete with the team in France in 2019 … won silver at NTCCs in British Columbia with Team Ontario in 2016 and 2018 … also played club soccer as a freshman for the Burlington Bayhawks and was a team captain.
Katie McCracken
Four-year varsity letter winner at Smithsburg High School … played a versatile role in high school, starting at setter, opposite and along the back row … started as a setter in every match as a senior … served as a team captain in 2017 and 2018 … helped win three Maryland State Championships (2015, 2016, 2017) … two-time First Team All-Washington County and one Second Team All-Washington County … was the 2018 Washington County Herald Mail Player of the Year runner-up … one of the 2018 candidates for the Andi Collins Award as the top setter in the country by Prep Volleyball … earned Prep Volleyball All-America honorable mention plaudits in 2018 … finished with over 1,500 career assists … also played with the Revolution Volleyball Club from 2014-19 … served as First Chair Concert Master in High School Orchestra … member of the National Honor Society and BETA Club.
Madison Salvatoriello
Four-year varsity letter winner … won the Coaches Award twice … led team to a state runner-up finish in Florida in 2016 and paced team to a state championship in 2018 … selected as a Florida All-State player on two occasions … played club with the Orlando Volleyball Academy … two-time AAU All-American … finished 2016 as an AAU Championship runner-up … also played for the High Performance Florida Team … served as a Florida Girls Junior National Team captain and paced team to a second-place finish … helped team capture 2016 High Performance national championship.
Ally Townsend
Four-year letterwinner at Lower Dauphin High School … holds school records for career service aces (297) and assists (2,338) … earned Mid-Penn Keystone Division First Team honors as a senior … selected PIAA District 3/AAAA Second Team in 2018 … named to 2018 Penn Live Girls All-Star Volleyball Team as a senior … as a junior (2017) earned Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches' Association All-State Team honors, PIAA District 3 All-Star First Team … Mid-Penn Keystone Division Conference All-Star First Team … Penn Live Girls Volleyball All-Star Team … member of the USA Volleyball HP Team in 2016 and 2017 … as a sophomore (2016), selected PIAA District 3 All-Stars Second Team, Mid-Penn Keystone Division Conference All-Stars First Team and Penn Live Girls' Volleyball All-Star Team … selected Mid-Penn Keystone Division All-Stars Second Team as a freshman in 2015.
Lydia Wiers
Three-time First Team All-Conference selection while earning First Team All District 6 honors twice (junior, senior) … named Third Team All-District 6 as a sophomore and was Honorable Mention All-Conference as a freshman … earned All-Team 17 honors at the USA Volleyball Junior National Tournament in 2018 … finished her high school career with 1,257 kills … and 357 blocks helped lead team to the Division II regional championship match in 2018 … played club with the Cleveland Volleyball Company for Kelsey Polak, who played at Towson from 2012-14 … also a member of the girls' basketball and track & field programs … currently ranked No. 1 in her graduating class for academics.
