SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco volleyball team and Head Coach Diogo Silva have officially announced the remainder of the signing class for the 2024 season.
 
"I'm genuinely excited as we approach the upcoming season," Silva said. "We have a dynamic, youthful team brimming with talent. Every position is covered with capable replacements, ensuring we maintain our standards. With a tough non-conference and a competitive WCC slate, we must start preparing now to ensure a great season."
 
The program welcomes five players for the new campaign, including two Division I transfers, Jolei Akima and Michalina Rola, one junior college transfer, Anica Bobic, and two true freshmen, Amelia Dombrowska and Jamie Low.
 
The incoming student-athletes mark the conclusion of the signing class, which includes Shannon Knight, Delaney Ewing, and Shannon Sheehy for a total of eight new players for the upcoming season.
 
Akima enters her first season on the Hilltop after spending two seasons at Cal Poly with a previous stop at Boise State, serving as a libero and a defensive specialist. During her time at Cal Poly, Akima appeared in 43 matches, accumulating 162 sets played. In her breakout 2023 season, Akima led the Mustangs and ranked first in the Big West in digs (542) while posting a career-best 4.17 digs per set ratio.
 
At Boise State in 2021, Akima helped guide the Broncos to a Mountain West Championship title while leading the team in digs (315) and ranked second in service aces (33).
 
"I believe Jolei's experience as a graduate student will enhance the competitiveness of our liberos," Silva said. "She was a standout player at Cal Poly the last two years, demonstrating excellent technical skills, such as great serve receive, good serve, and good position for defense."
 
Rola comes to the program after competing at California Baptist during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. As a junior in 2022, Rola appeared in 25 of the 26 matches and ranked second on the team in kills (178). In her first season with the Lancers, she recorded eight matches with double-digit kills while posting a season-high 17 at Tarleton State on October 15.
 
Posting career highs last season, Rola nearly doubled her kill total as she led the program with a career-best 350 in 28 matches. She also recorded highs in service aces (46), kills per set (3.24), digs (260), digs per set (2.41), and total blocks (26).
 
"Michalina brings valuable experience to our team, having spent time in Miami and graduating from California Baptist," Silva said. "As an outside hitter, she has excellent ball control and a powerful arm. Her presence will significantly enhance our roster."
 
Entering her first Division I season, Bobic joins the Dons after competing at Florida Southwestern State. Guiding the Buccaneers to take-to-back NJCAA National Championships, Bobic totaled 136 kills, a .218 hitting percentage, 94 digs, and 34 service aces in 32 matches in two seasons.
 
Taking on a more extensive role in 2023, Bobic competed in a career-high 44 sets while ranking sixth on the team in kills (117). Her .232 hitting percentage ranked fourth best out of the team's outside hitters, while she posted a season-high .750 hitting percentage in a 3-0 win over Hillsborough Community College on September 6.
 
"Anica is a powerful player who we expect to score on out-of-system balls and good block," Silva said. "She can play both as an opposite and outside hitter, providing us with great versatility. She is a fun and vibrant personality and will be a wonderful addition to our team."
 
Joining the program as true freshmen, Dombrowska and Low enter their first collegiate volleyball season in 2024. Dombrowska, from Poznan, Poland, most recently competed with SMS PZPS Szcyrk at the club level in her hometown. She also helped guide the team to two first-place finishes in the National Championships in 2022 and 2023 while being named Most Valuable Player in the 2023 regional final.
 
"A very talented player with impressive ball control and speed, Amelia's athleticism and positive personality will fit perfectly with our group," Silva said. "I am excited to work with her and help her develop her full potential in our gym."
 
Low, a local signee from San Francisco competed at St. Ignatius College Prep for four seasons throughout her high school career.
 
"Before joining our program, I had the pleasure of getting to know Jamie, and I was impressed by her speed and work ethic," Silva said. "I'm excited to see her compete for a position alongside Analiese [Gagliano] and Abby [Wadas]. I anticipate she will carve out her own space and role within the team, and I'm committed to supporting her in reaching her full potential."
 
For more information and updates on the University of San Francisco volleyball program, be sure to follow the Dons on Twitter @USFDonsVB, @USFDonsVB on Instagram and @USFDonsVball on Facebook.