HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU women's volleyball officially announces the addition of ten newcomers to its 2026 roster. Head coach Amable Martinez and the Knights welcome a talented incoming class featuring a mix of freshmen transfers with previous collegiate experience adding to the 11 returning players.

"We are excited to have completed our incoming class for the upcoming fall season," said Martinez. "After graduating a large senior class, our goal was to address key roster needs while creating balance across every position, and I believe we accomplished that with a strong mix of talented freshman and experienced transfers. This group will add depth, competition, and impact throughout the roster, and we look forward to welcoming them to campus and preparing for the season ahead."

The incoming class features student athletes from six countries, including Mexico, Canada, Poland, Serbia and Romania, giving the Knights an international presence while adding talent from North America and Europe.

As the program enters a new era under Martinez, the Knights will look to build upon the foundation established in recent seasons. The incoming class represents Martinez's first recruiting group since taking over the program in January as they add depth across all positions.

The additions come at an important time for a program that has established itself as a contender for the NEC Championship in recent years. FDU has earned four consecutive appearances in the NEC tournament and advanced to three NEC Championship matches during that stretch. The newcomers include players across multiple positions with six pin hitters, two defensive specialists, a middle, and a setter.

Of the ten incoming players, FDU is bringing in several players with championship experience at the provincial, national, and collegiate levels. The class includes an All- American, a conference player of the year,   and multiple all-region and all-conference selections. Together this group brings a combination of international experience, collegiate success and versatility to the Knights roster for 2026.

2026-27 FDU Women's Volleyball Signees 

Katarina Trutina (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/ Springbank Community High School)– OH, Freshman

Notes on Trutina:  

• Played club volleyball for YYC Eagles
• Captured a Provincial Championship in 2025
• 3x Rockyview County All- Star
• 2x Rookie of the Year
• 4x Most Valuable Player
• Daughter of Peter and Dana Trutina

Brooke Kamelchuk (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/ National Sport School) – DS/L, First Year

Notes on Kamelchuk:

• Played club volleyball for YYC Eagles
• 2x Provincial Champion (2022,2025)
• Daughter of Judy and Lorne Kamelchuk

Kiah Lopez (Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico/ Escuela Nacional Preparatoria No.9 Pedro de Alba) – OH/RH, Freshman

Notes on Lopez:  

• Daughter of Leopoldo Lopez and Guillermina Sanchez

 
Nina Jasiecka (Swidnica, Poland/ Morton College)– RS, Junior

Notes on Jasiecka:  

• Finished second in the U19 Dolnoslakie Voivodeship Championship in 2023
• Region IX semifinalist at Laramine County Community College
• Was named first team All-Conference and All-Region at Morton College
• Skyway Conference Player of the Year
• Earned All-American Third team honors at Morton
• Daughter of Janna Szkolak

Mila Samardzija (Novi Sad, Serbia/ Gimnazija Svetozar Markovic) - OH, Freshman
Notes on Samardzija:

• Played club for ZOK Novi Sad
• Daughter of Milos and Biljana Samardzija

Ashlyn Gualtieri (Aston, Pa./ Cardinal O'Hara High School) - OH, Freshman
Notes on Gualtieri:

• Played club volleyball for NJ Ponin
• Received All-District, All-County, and All-Catholic honors
• 3x Philadelphia Catholic League Winner
• Daughter of Breann and Matthew Gualtieri

Agnes Shakirova (Novosibirsk, Russia/California State University Bakersfield) – OH/RS, Sophomore
Notes on Shakirova:

• Member of the first-ever IMG Academy volleyball team (2023-24)
• Daughter of Yury and Aleksandra Shakirova

Nora Marginean (Cluj,Napoca / Middle Tennessee State) - S, Junior
Notes on Bishopp:

• CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll
• Appeared in 6 matches, playing 8 sets at Middle Tennessee
• Finished the season with 17 assists and nine digs
• Was named Best Setter at Romania Junior National Championship (2023)
• Received region IX South First Team Honors at Western Nebraska Community College in 2024
• Daughter of Oana and Adrian Marginean

Brooke Kamelchuk (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/ National Sport School) – DS/L, Freshman
Notes on Kamelchuk:

• Played club volleyball for the YYC Eagles
• 2x Provincial Champion (2022, 2025)
• Daughter of Judy and Lorne Kamelchuk

Szonja Csabai (Jászbereny, Hungary/ Baptist University of Florida) – MB, Senior
Notes on Csabai:

• Played club volleyball for MAV Elore SC
• Appeared in 29 matches, playing 101 sets at Baptist University of Floridia
• Finished the season with 215 kills and 77 digs
• Had a career high 20 kills against Coastal Alabama
• Hungarian NB Volleyball Championship (2021, 2022)
• Daughter of Róbert Csabai and Mónika Csabainé Deák

 
The Knights will begin their 2026-27 campaign in August. Connect with the team on Instagram and X @FDUKnightsWVB.