Russ Rose Then (2010): “Alyssa is one of che masc committed leaders we”ve had in the program. She has her hand on tbe pulse of the team and mentors and monitors as well. As a player, she possesses a tough serve and is a good passer. I especially like the fact she’s not afraid to mix it up in tbe back row. Alyssa is going to have a lott of challenges with the young people around her in terms of choreographing serve/reception patterns and moving people around in the back row ro help us make plays.”
Russ Rose Now (2025): “We had Alyssa in camp for several years before she committed. She’s one of three players at the division one level to have won four national championships, along with Arielle Wilson and Blair Brown. Alyssa was a hitter in club, and she was an incredible team player who worked hard every day and loved the game and respected the game. She has gone on to be a successful college coach. She’s at Utah now, but she had prior stops at Louisville and Dayton. She’s a leading candidate for a lot of head coaching jobs every year, and has been active with USA volleyball for several years with their winter training programs. She relates well to young people, and has a terrific resume that makes her attractive to a number of universities and athletic directors.”
2010 Season (Senior): Highlights and Awards: 2010 National Champion … 2010 All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Season Recap: Played in all 37 matches and all 123 sets … led the team with 49 service aces … led the team with 4.12 digs/set.
NCAA Tournament: Notched 18 digs and 1 service ace in 3-1 Regional Finals win over Duke (12/11) … tallied 11 digs and 2 service aces in the 3-0 National Semifinal win over Texas (12/15) … led the team with 13 digs in the 3-0 National Championship win over California (12/18).
Before Penn State: Five-time volleyball and basketball letterwinner at Byron-Bergen High School in Bergen, N.Y. … three-year volleyball captain and two-year basketball captain for the Bees … three-time first team all-state selection … five-time Section V Class C Most Valuable Player (2002-2006), beginning in her eighth grade year … led the Bees to three New York state titles (2004-2006) and five sectional titles … captured four Genesee Regional League championships … finished with a five-year scholastic varsity record of 98-12 … ranked 33rd on PrepVolleyball’s ‘Senior Aces’ list … 2006-2007 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year … achieved the career milestones of 1,000 kills and digs during junior season … ended tenure with 1,879 kills and 1,521 digs … two-time basketball Most Valuable Player … was an alternate for the USA A2 Team in 2006 … member of the VolleyFX Magic Club program … helped the squad to a 17th-place Open finish at the 2006 Nationals … also claimed the titles at the 2001, 2002 and 2004 East Coast Championship and the 2003 Northeast Qualifier … excels off the court, ranking sixth in her class … member of the National Honor Society … Student Council Parliamentarian in 2006 … was selected as an alternate for American Legion Girls State … nominated as a Kodak Young Leader … acted as president of the Varsity Club, the yearbook editor and the leader of the Byron-Bergen Emergency Response Team.