RICHMOND, Va. – VCU Volleyball Head Coach Tim Doyle officially welcomed the addition of six newcomers this week, in time for the 2025 season. The class, which includes four transfers and a pair of incoming freshmen, will join forces with VCU's ten returnees to build on last season's 18-9 campaign.
 
The Rams' group of newcomers features National and State Champions, international competitors, and numerous All-Conference and All-State honorees.
 
Here's a look at VCU's newcomers for 2025:
 
Lannah Price, Outside Hitter, Four Oaks, N.C.
About Lannah: Price, the multi-sport athlete, is set to join the Rams in 2025. After leading the South Johnston High School to its first conference championship since 1996. Price was named Conference Player of the Year for her efforts. 
 
Coach Doyle on Lannah: "Lannah is a true diamond in the rough. She's an extraordinary athlete with a multi-sport background who found a love for volleyball. She will grow by leaps and bounds with us. There are several current athletes serving as examples in D-I volleyball of 'undersized' outsides who end up being pivotal impact players for their teams, and that's Lannah for VCU. She can pass, defend, and hit with pace. She possesses a 'hate to lose' competitive mentality that's second-to-none. We can't wait for her to join us."
 
Sarah Dibbs-Frantz, Middle Blocker, Tampa, Fla.
About Sarah: The 6-2 middle blocker from Tampa, Fla. brings a winning pedigree to the Rams. Dibbs-Frantz was a member of Team Florida, which she helped to an International Championship title in 2024. Additionally, she guided Carrollwood Day to a Florida Class 3A State Championship in 2023.
 
Coach Doyle on Sarah: "Sarah is the perfect offensive and defensive fit for our style. She's versatile, capable of hitting any play set. Her exposure to different positions throughout her club and high school career will enable her to slot into any position we need her. On defense, she's long, quick, and works exceptionally fast in transition. Sarah is a proven winner who brings championship DNA to our program."
 
Elif Ozsoy, Setter, Ankara, Turkey, University of North Alabama
About Elif: Ozsoy, who has registered more than 1,500 career assists, brings a veteran hand to the VCU lineup. A native of Turkey, Ozsoy spent the past three seasons at North Alabama, where she led the team in assists and was named the ASUN 2023 Preseason Setter of the Year.
 
Coach Doyle on Elif: "With two returning sophomore setters on our roster, Elif comes at the perfect time to challenge a young position group, while raising the overall level of our gym. She excels at finding her middles and opposites, a key characteristic of the setters we recruit. When you couple this with her strength, height, and experience setting in a variety of systems, it's easy to envision our offense flourishing under her leadership."
 
Nina Boledovicova, Middle Blocker, Bratislava, Slovakia, Florida Southwestern State
About Nina: A two-time NJCAA National Champion, Nina will arrive in Richmond with a wealth of experience. Boledovicova is a product of the Sloviakian National Team system and has competed as a Golden European League Player and played on the country's U17 and U21 teams.
 
Coach Doyle on Nina: "I'm incredibly excited for Nina's impact. She is a back-to-back National Champion at the junior college level, going 57-2 in her career at FSW and starting throughout. For a VCU team with championship expectations, she brings the know-how, maturity, and everyday standard we need. She has tremendous offensive range and quickness; I'm eager to see how our setters incorporate this type of athlete into our fast-paced style of play."
 
Kayla Foley, Libero, Virginia Beach, Va., Michigan State
About Kayla: Foley returns to her home state after spending her freshman campaign in Lansing, Mich., where she appeared in six matches last season. As a prep star at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Foley won a Regional and State Championship. As a senior she was named All-Tidewater, All-Region, and All-State Player of the Year.
 
Coach Doyle on Kayla: "Kayla is a coach's dream. She lives in the gym and film room, always searching for the tiny details that will make her better. As a spring incomer, we've witnessed her immediately earn the respect of her teammates due to her work ethic, easygoing attitude off the court, and drive to improve. She has an infectious go-for-everything mentality that inspires teammates and coaches. Her future at VCU is incredibly bright."
 
Haruka Sugimoto, Libero, Kobe, Japan, Stetson University
About Haruka: A graduate transfer, Sugimoto starred at libero the past two seasons at Stetson, where she averaged 4.50 digs per set in 56 matches. Sugimoto began her collegiate career at Central Wyoming, where she was named conference Libero of the Year and First Team All-Region.
 
Coach Doyle on Haruka: "Haruka is a highly recruited transfer that will anchor our back line this coming season. With four years of playing experience, she's the right addition for the libero position group, who, like our setter class, has two sophomores. When you talk with Haruka, you sense her poise, command, and confidence. With a talented, veteran, and driven team, she'll play a significant role in balancing our squad and coordinating our offensive and defensive systems."