Volleyball Welcomes Six Newcomers for 2026
Central Connecticut volleyball head coach Alyssa Broccoli has announced the program will welcome a group of six student-athletes to join the program for the 2026 season. A trio of transfers, along with three freshmen will bolster the Blue Devils' roster.
"We couldn't be happier to welcome this talented group of student athletes," said Broccoli. "They embody what we envision and the values of our program, and they will positively impact our team and help us build toward our goals. We are thrilled to welcome them and their families to our program and can't wait to see them grow on and off the court."
The Blue Devils will welcome transfers Meg Berkland, Danielle Caligiuri and Valeria Torres, along with freshmen Madison Fulgencio, Adele Macer and Hanley Schmidt.
Meg Berkland | L | 5-2 | Williamsburg, IA | Clear Creek Amana (Purdue Fort Wayne)
BEFORE CCSU: Transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne...Horizon League Academic Honor Roll...Played in 53 matches over two seasons...Averaged 1.84 digs/set...Added 36 assists and 28 service aces...Recorded nearly 1,800 digs in four years at Clear Creek Amana High School...Led Clear Creek Amana to the state championship for the first time in 2022...Led the Clippers back to state in 2023 with a 46-1 record...Named First Team All-Conference and All-District, and Second Team All-State in 2022 and 2023...Also played for the Iowa Rockets (2014-23) and placed third at USA Nationals in 2016 and was runner-up in 2021.
Danielle Caligiuri | S | 5-8 | Pittsburgh/PA | Montour HS (Saint Peter's U.)
BEFORE CCSU: Transfer from Saint Peter's University...Played two seasons at SPU...Played in 35 matches...Averaged 4.08 assists/set and 1.08 digs/set...Added 27 service aces...MAAC Setter of the Week...MAAC All Academic Team...At Montour High School, named to AVCA All American Watchlist...JVA Watchlist...2nd Team All WPIAL...Led Montour to 2020 WPIAL Runner-up, and 2020 and 2022 Sectional Champions
Valeria Torres | MB | 5-11 | Toa Baja, Puerto Rico | Academia Discípulos de Cristo (Saint Peter's U.)
BEFORE CCSU: Transfer from Saint Peter's where she played one season...Played in 21 matches for the Peacocks, starting nine...Ranked 7th in the MAAC with 1.05 blocks/set...In league-play ranked 4th with 1.22 blocks/set...Attended Academia Discípulos de Cristo de Bayamón in Puerto Rico...Played volleyball in the Liga Atlética de Colegios Cristianos (LACC),,,Puerto Rico National Team Program U19 pre-selection...Las Criollas de Caguas Juvenile Superior 2024 and 2025 MVP Power League Tournament...Academia Discípulos de Cristo Varsity Team Co-Captain as a senior...LACC All-Star player as a senior...MTEM All-Star player as a sophomore and junior...National Honor Society
Madison Fulgencio | OH | 5-11 | Thiells, NY | North Rockland HS
BEFORE CCSU: Third Team All-State (2024)...All-Section (2025)...All-League (2024)...All-Conference First Team (2023)...Team won Section I Championship in 2024...All-Tournament Team 15 Open at AAU Volleyball Super Regional Fun at the Sun (2024)
Adele Macer | MB | 6-1 | Elkhart, IN | Marian HS
BEFORE CCSU: Volleyball Captain...Regional Champions (2025)...Led team with 89 blocks in 2025...AVCA All-American...IHSVCA Player to Watch...Second-place in Regional Science Fair...National Honors Society Member
Hanley Schmidt | OH | 6-0 | Bettendorf, IA | Pleasant Valley HS
BEFORE CCSU: As a senior, earned 3rd Team All-State, received Honorable Mention All-American recognition, and was selected to the Iowa All-Star Team...Selected 1st Team All-Conference and named to All-District Team and All-Region...Team won 5A Iowa State Championship as a junior...Four-year varsity athlete in track & field...As a sophomore, earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors in both hurdles and high jump, qualified for the state meet in both events, and was on the 5A State Championship team...As a junior, was named Honorable Mention All-Conference, won a district championship in the high jump and qualified for the state meet in both events, and placing 7th in high jump
