With an already accomplished young core of returning players and a group of talented newcomers, American University volleyball is primed to see youthful leadership shine through in 2025 without a senior class. After a 20-win campaign was cut short in the Patriot League quarterfinal a year ago, the Eagles will pursue their first conference trophy since 2019 and their 17th in program history.
LEADING THE WAY
Ahen Kim enters his third season as head coach of the Eagles. He has led AU to back-to-back 20-win campaigns, while guiding three players to major Patriot League awards and six to All-Patriot League selections. Carrying a legacy of success at American, Kim has spent eight years in the program as both an assistant and head coach. His first win of 2025 will be the 100th in his career.
Alongside Kim is new assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Maggie Catherina, who joined AU this offseason after spending a year in the Patriot League as an assistant at Lafayette. Garrett Geiger returns as an assistant coach for a second season, and Ethan Jenkins is back as the team's technical director for a third year.
BENDER BLUE OUT
The 17th annual Bender Blue Out is set to be AU's home opener on Saturday, August 30 against Georgetown. The early-season tradition has consistently drawn packed crowds, including AU's all-time Washington, D.C. NCAA women's volleyball attendance record of 2,837 fans in 2018.
The Eagles are 11-5 all-time against the crosstown rival, and are coming off a 3-0 sweep of the Hoyas a year ago.
NEW TO THE SCENE
Hailing from three different states and three different countries, five newcomers joined AU volleyball in 2025: freshmen Sophie Dufour, Lexie Richards, Alex Ioannou, and sophomore transfers Salme Adeele Hollas and Monyay Crowder make up a talented recruiting class that is primed to make an impact in 2025.
“This year’s class lays a great foundation for us, especially when it comes to ball control. We’ve brought in Lexie, a setter from San Diego with an Open-level club background, and Alex, a libero with valuable overseas experience. On the outside, Sophie and Salme are both six-rotation players who will strengthen our core of receivers while providing some offense for us as well. Monyay rounds out the group as a versatile attacker with experience at both middle and opposite, giving us flexibility and depth across the front row.”
-Ahen Kim
Sophomore shine
Seven sophomores round out the team’s largest and most game-experienced class, headlined by three returners who have already earned league-wide recognition. Bella Marrero was named the Preseason Patriot League Libero of the Year, while outside hitter Zedo Yilmaz and middle blocker Elise Sterling were selected to the Preseason All-League team. In 2024, Marrero earned the starting libero spot and went on to lead the team in digs (355) and service aces (37). Yilmaz had a stellar freshman year, earning the Patriot League Rookie of the Year Award after leading the conference in kills (368) and points (431.5), and posting 12 double-doubles. Sterling had an incredibly efficient season up front, hitting a conference-leading .355 on 179 kills, and added 71 blocks. With this returning trio, the Eagles have a talented young core to build around for years to come.
Also coming off an impressive rookie campaign is the transfer outside hitter Hollas, who was selected to the All-MAAC Rookie Team after posting 208 kills, 191 digs, and 40 blocks for Siena. The Tartu, Estonia native is a versatile addition to AU's arsenal on the outside.
Setter Deniz Dakak, middle blocker Emma Blankenship, and the transfer middle hitter from LIU Crowder complete the sophomore class.
Back in the fold
After being sidelined due to injury for all of 2024, junior Carly Sciborski is back on the court for the Eagles. During her freshman season, the south paw opposite hitter posted 109 kills and 48 blocks over 103 sets played. Now healthy, Sciborski is set to make an impact as a key piece of AU’s rotation.
Along with Sciborski, middle blocker Prinzez Zeck and setter Maddy Stewart complete the junior class.
SCHEDULE
The Eagles will host 12 matches at Bender Arena in 2025, beginning with back-to-back home contests in the season's opening weekend against local competition. AU opens Patriot League play with three home matches in a row in September, looking to build upon their 22-8 home record under Ahen Kim.