Russ Rose Then (2011): “Aiyana just led her high school team to the state championship and was the MVP of the All-Star game. She is a great net player with good ball-handling skills and a frame to get strong with. I was pleased with Aiyana’s performance during the club season. She was one of the go-to hitters on her team and is accustomed to that role. We are going to need someone who can hit the ball this year and I think she will develop quite well in that role. I think she’ll be competing for one of the outside spots.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “Aiyanna was from Northern Valley Regional in New Jersey. She was a great offensive player. She could score from anywhere along the net. She could attack successfully from both the front and back row. She had a great presence at the net and wasn’t afraid to take the big swing. She made great contributions to the program while she was at Penn State, and she played pro volleyball in Puerto Rico and Germany after she graduated. She married Nick Goodell, who played for the Penn State men’s volleyball team.”
2011 Season (Freshman)Season Recap: Saw action in 24 matches and 64 sets at outside hitter … totaled 113 kills for the season and also recorded 14 digs and 25 blocks … made collegiate debut against New Hampshire (9/3) and had 6 kills and 2 blocks … put down 15 kills vs. Texas (9/10) … had 9 kills on .353 hitting against Nebraska (9/21) … pounded 9 kills and had 3 blocks at Minnesota (11/4) … totaled 6 kills at Illinois (11/11).
NCAA Tournament: Had 8 kills on 16 errorless swings vs. Delaware (12/3).
Before Penn State: Four-year varsity letterwinner and captain at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, N.J. … was a 3-time First team All-League, First Team All-County and 2-time First Team All-State honoree … selected as a First Team Under Armour All-American as a senior … guided her team to 3 League Championships, 2 Bergen County Championships and the 2010 New Jersey State Championship … 2011 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year.
