TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University volleyball team has announced nine incoming players added to the roster ahead of the 2025 season, announced by Head Coach Don Metil. The group features three transfers and six freshmen.
 
Outside hitter Taylor Pagan, a transfer from Colorado State, joined the Tigers following the fall semester after posting 39 kills, six assists, five service aces, 41 digs and five total blocks in 36 sets played for the Rams last season. Originally from Pembroke Pines, Fla., the junior led the Bears to two Florida 4A state championships in high school at Mater Lakes Academy.
 
"Taylor is someone we recruited out of high school/High Voltage VBC, and I was humbled when she accepted our invitation to join us here at Towson.  She is a great 6-rotational athlete with a heavy arm, that passes very well and gets after it on defense.  She plays at a high level, and forces those around her to raise their level of play.  Since she transferred to us in the spring, she's exceeded our expectations both on and off the court.  Her drive and work ethic on the court is matched by her huge heart, care for her teammates, and commitment to our culture.  These are the intangible qualities coaches speak about finding in players, and Taylor is the true meaning of a team player," added Coach Metil.
 
Tshilanda Diouf, an outside hitter out of France, comes to Towson after stops at McNeese State and Old Dominion. With the Cowgirls, Diouf was the 2023 Southland Conference (SLC) Freshman of the Year after posting 114 kills and 73 blocks, the fourth-highest mark in the league. She earned a Second Team All-SLC selection, adding seven assists, 12 service aces and 50 digs. In her sophomore campaign, Diouf posted 21 kills, 10 digs and 10 blocks in 20 sets played with the Monarchs.
 
"Tshilanda is someone we were speaking with when she originally came out of France, and I'm excited to have her become a Towson Tiger for her final years of eligibility. She's a high-flying athlete with a terminal arm that will add to the athleticism of the Black & Gold attack. Tshilanda will provide a dynamic presence on the right pin, and her skills can also be used across our entire front row.  Touching over 10'5", she will provide a blocking presence at the right stick that should allow us to have a great match-up option to slow down priority outside hitters from opposing teams," said Coach Metil.
 
Temuulen Sansarbold, a middle blocker from Mongolia, joins the Black & Gold as a graduate student from the National University of Mongolia. Sansarbold played three seasons in the Mongolian Premier League with Khuvsgal Erchim (2022-23) and Khilchin (2023-25), including an appearance in the 2023 AVC Champions League and brings a wealth of international experience from the 2023 Asian Games, Asian Championships and AVC Nations Cup with the Mongolian National Team.
 
"Temuulen is a quick, efficient middle blocker that will add lateral quickness to our unit.  She has a wide attacking range and scores at a high percentage.  She has multiple years of competing at the highest club levels in Mongolia, Central Asia, and FIVB, representing her national team that should prove valuable for a young Towson squad," added Coach Metil.
 
Malinah Purcell-Telefoni, an opposite hitter from Pago Pago, American Samoa, joins the Tigers out of Samoana High School where she was a co-captain of the Mighty Sharks' volleyball team. Purcell-Telefoni helped lead the Sharks to championship titles while earning a pair of Most Valuable Player awards to go with several other accolades.
 
"I recruited Malinah out of high school when she decided to stay closer to home and attend Hawaii, so when the opportunity came to make her a Tiger, it was the easiest decision I had this recruiting cycle.  Malinah is a 6-1 strong, physical athlete with a very heavy arm that can take over a match.  I'm seen Malinah play as an OH, MB, and Oppo, and her versatile skill set is going to be very exciting for the Tiger faithful to witness.  Malinah also can play 6 rotations as an Oppo, which will provide us with another back row threat option.  She is very close to her family, and I can't wait to be part of her extended network of support," said Coach Metil.
 
An outside hitter from Montclair, Va., Destini Pickett joins the Tigers from Forest Park High School. Pickett was named the Cardinal District Player of the Year, the Region 6B Player of the Year and a Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 All-State First Team selection following the 2024 season. In her high school career, Pickett totaled 871 kills on a .307 hitting percentage, adding 131 aces, 77 blocks and 560 digs.
 
"Destini is a dynamic, outside hitter that possesses an all-around skill set.  When we can find an OH that can play defense, embrace S/R, and display a terminal arm, we are 100% in, and we found that athlete in Pickett.  She has big shoes to fill as a freshman, but we are excited for her growth as a person, both on and off the court.  I'm happy for her and that she has decided to compete at the next level in the DMV, close to friends and family," noted Coach Metil.
 
A 6'0 setter out of Omaha, Nebraska, Peyton Meyer is a three-year letterwinner from Westside High School. Meyer was an All-State Honorable Mention selection after her junior year despite missing half the season due to injury. The Omaha native was a two-year team captain with the Warriors and made postseason appearances in all four high school seasons played.
 
"From my first interaction with Peyton, I was drawn to her leadership capabilities, winning attitude, and maturity.  The setting position requires those characteristics to lead a team to championships, and I am confident that with Peyton joining us this fall, we will become a better program. I look forward to working with Peyton and seeing her instincts, ability and wisdom drive this team to another championship," said Coach Metil.
 
From Istanbul, Turkey, Zeynep Belgutay is a 6'1 middle blocker who played for Fenerbahçe Medicana II, one of Istanbul's premier volleyball clubs. Belgutay's heap of international experience will prove to be valuable to a fresh Towson team.
 
"Zeynep plays for Fenerbahçe, which is one of the best clubs in Turkey.  She will add to our depth at the middle blocker position, and she will bring with her many years of international experience which may prove viable in becoming our potential serving middle with defensive capabilities.  She can turn the ball at the top of her contact point, as well as display a high wrist snap which should allow her to maintain a high hitting efficiency for us in the middle.  Zeynep also reads well, effectively closes in both directions, and has a wide range of attacks which will allow us to maintain the flexibility within our offense," noted Coach Metil.
 
Hailing from Burlington, N.C., Ava Drye is a 6'1 opposite hitter who brings a versatile skill set to the 2025 Towson squad. Drye joins the Tigers as a freshman after playing club with Triangle Volleyball Club on the 18 Black team.
 
"Ava has an all-around skill set as opposite. I see Ava in S/R, swinging at both sticks, and her ability to align herself against opposing attackers as a formidable blocker. Under the instruction of Coach Hutchinson, Ava will become an impressive blocker on the right pin, and we should be able to continue our strength at the opposite position. I'm looking forward to seeing Ava grow within our offense to become a threat at both pins and be an option for 6 rotations if we find ourselves limited on subs pending a 6-2 or 5-1 offense," added Coach Metil.
 
Out of Lancaster, Pa., Addie Leber joins the Tigers after an illustrious high school career where she was a four-time league and district champion for the Hempfield Black Knights. Leber was decorated with individual accolades as she was a four-time all-league honoree, a two-time league MVP, a three-time all-district honoree and two-time all-state honoree. The outside hitter totaled over 1,000 career kills in her high school career.
 
"Addie is a very driven and motivated outside hitter with a powerful arm swing, good blocking instincts, a great serve and all the tools to become a great OH in the CAA.  I've watched her play throughout her club season, and she is the pulse of her team.  A true leader, I look forward to her presence on the court.  She's a gamer and her level of play will grow tremendously at the next level with our resources and her discipline and work ethic.  I'm happy that Addie decided to play close to home, and I can't wait to see her competitiveness spark a new energy in our gym," noted Coach Metil.