Pirates Announce 2022 Newcomers

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall women's volleyball head coach Shannon Thompson officially announced today the signing of six recruits who will play for the program beginning this fall.

The Hall is adding three true freshmen and three transfers to round out its roster for the upcoming 2022 season. The new Pirate class features freshmen Asli Subasili (Tekirdag, Turkey), Mason Woo (Burbank, Calif.) and Mackenzie Yoakum (Birmingham, Ala.), as well as transfers Bianca Bucciarelli (Carate Brianza, Italy) from Hofstra, Madison Klungel (Napa, Calif.) from Cal State Northridge and Laila Wallace (Munster, Ind.) from Radford University.

Graphic announcing the signing of volleyball recruit Bianca Bucciarelli

BIANCA BUCCIARELLI
Outside Hitter | 6-2 | Carate Brianza, Italy
Transfer from Hofstra University

Bucciarelli comes to South Orange after spending the last two years as an essential part of the Hofstra frontline. The 6-foot-2 outside hitter played in 27 matches and 70 sets at Hofstra and collected 120 kills 63 digs and 12 blocks. She's coming off a 2021 season when she ranked fifth on the team with a 1.45 kills per set average. On Sept. 3, Bucciarelli erupted for a career-high 15 kills to go with eight digs in a four-set victory for the Pride.

Bucciarelli is a Dean's List student and was a member of Athletic Director Scholars Academic Honor Roll and the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll.

Coach Thompson's thoughts: "Bianca is a solid six rotation player who will be a positive impact on day one. She sees the game very well and can anticipate what shots or swings to use. She has a desire to grow and is open to building a foundation here. I am excited to bring in someone with lots of experience who can help grow this program. We are thrilled to have her be a part of our team."

Graphic announcing the signing of volleyball recruit Madison Klungel

MADISON KLUNGEL
Setter | 5-11 | Napa, California
Transfer from California State University - Northridge

Klungel, a talented setter, joins Seton Hall after spending her freshman year at Cal State Northridge where she was an essential player in a 6-2 offense. Playing in all 30 matches and 111 sets, she collected 467 assists and averaged 4.21 assists per set, which ranked second on the team. Klungel also had 123 digs and 10 kills in an impressive first collegiate year.

Klungel picked up her first career double-double with 25 assists and 10 digs at UC Irvine on Oct. 30, and erupted for a career-high 28 assists against UC Riverside on Nov. 19.

Coach Thompson's thoughts: "I'm very excited for Madison to join us. She is a very gritty, hard-working player who will help build the foundation of what we are looking to build here at Seton Hall. She has a high volleyball IQ and a great leadership presence on the court. We are excited to watch her grow here."

Graphic announcing the signing of volleyball recruit Asli Subasili

ASLI SUBASILI
Middle Blocker | 6-2 | Tekirdag, Turkey
Incoming Freshman

Subasili becomes the second Pirate from the country of Turkey, joining teammate Cagla Bengi, who hails from Bursa. A tall, athletic middle blocker, Subasili was a two-year captain for Cankaya Doga High School in Ankara. She helped lift Cankaya Doga to a second-place finish at the Turkish High school Championship earlier this year.

Coach Thompson's thoughts: "I'm thrilled to have Asli joining us in the fall. She has a great presence at the net and a gritty personality. I believe she'll impact our gym in a positive way on day one. We can't wait to see how she grows over the next four years."

Graphic announcing the signing of volleyball recruit Laila Wallace

LAILA WALLACE
Middle Blocker | 6-1 | Munster, Ind.
Transfer from Radford University

Wallace comes to Seton Hall after two years of volleyball at Radford University where she was a starting middle blocker. She played in 29 matches over the last two years and made 18 starts last year as a sophomore. A strong defender, Wallace ranked second on the team last year with 0.71 blocks per set, and erupted for a career-best eight blocks against Charleston Southern on Oct. 29. Wallace has also averaged more than a kill per set each of the last two years.

A First Team All-State selection at Munster High School, Wallace helped lift the Mustangs to 95 victories and multiple postseason appearances.

Coach Thompson's thoughts: "I'm elated to have Laila joining our program. She is a diligent, determined person who will impact our gym in an optimistic, confident manner. She has done well at a high-level and she's a big presence at the net. She has a great volleyball IQ and can anticipate setters and their actions well. We are looking forward to working with her in the fall and helping her grow."

Graphic announcing the signing of volleyball recruit Mason Woo

MASON WOO
Libero/DS | 5-6 | Burbank, Calif.
Incoming Freshman

A competent defender as a libero or defensive specialist on the back line, Woo served as team captain for Village Christian her senior year. Recently named CIF Southern Section Student of the Year, she helped lead her team to the CIF Regional Championship and the Division 2 state title. On the club scene, Woo was a member of 18 Elite and earned a bid for the National Division for the 18 Nationals.

An accomplished academic, Woo received the Award of Excellence in Math Analysis.

Coach Thompson's thoughts: "From the beginning, Mason and I connected very well. She has a fiery, energetic, hard-working personality that fits right into our culture. She has a great ability to see the floor and predict what will happen. I'm thrilled that she's a part of our squad and here to help build the foundation of Seton Hall."

Graphic announcing the signing of volleyball recruit Mackenzie Yoakum

MACKENZIE YOAKUM
Right Side/Opp | 6-0 | Birmingham, Ala.
Incoming Freshman

A two-time team captain for Homewood High School, Yoakum is a three-time First Team All-State selection and a four-year member of the JVA Watch List. Leading Homewood to a Regional appearances all four years, she helped them to their first State appearance since 2008, finishing third. A threat both offensively and defensively, Yoakum recorded nearly 700 kills and over 200 blocks in her high school career.

Off the court, Yoakum excels in the classroom, receiving Advanced Academic Honors and a Seal of Distinction Diploma.

Coach Thompson's thoughts: "Mackenzie is a great addition to our team. She has the right mentality and relentlessness to her. She's solid in the front and back row and can push our players to a high level. I am ecstatic to have her with us and to see all that she will accomplish here."

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