Volleyball Adds Five Newcomers to 2021 Incoming Class

2021 Class Now Features 7 Freshman

By Steve Speedling
photo of the center of the Marist campus, showing the Hancock Center and Cannavino Library
“With the addition of these five talented players, I am so excited for the future of our program. We have a highly athletic and skilled class entering this fall, but beyond that they are wonderful people that match our core values of Marist Volleyball.”
Head Coach Sean Byron

Sally Tietjen |  Jaden Reasor  |  Jaya Bhagat  |  Julianna Lavner  |  Lauren Lietzke

Sally Marist VB
Reasor Marist VB
Bhagat Signing 2
Lavner Signing VB
Lietzke Signing VB


Sally Tietjen / 5'10" / Outside Hitter

Smithtown, NY / Smithtwon HS West

Brooklyn Elite VB Club

Tietjen Action VB

Sally's Resume:


Tietjen attends Smithtown High School West where she currently holds the record for career kills (865 and counting). She is a five-year varsity starter, three-year captain, and scholar athlete. She has led her team to three consecutive league championships, and has compiled many accolades including All-State, All-County, and MVP honors. Tietjen has also earned academic honors in each of the last four years at Smithtown West. 

We first saw Sally play at camp two years ago and loved her ability to grind out rallies. She has a fast arm swing and is a dynamic mover. We are super excited to welcome here to Poughkeepsie.
Sean Byron

Jaden Reasor / 5'4"/ Libero

Fairfax, VA / W.T. Woodson HS

Paramount VB Club

Resor Action VB

Jaden's Resume:


Reasor was a team captain and four-year varsity starter at W.T. Woodson High School. During her sophomore year, Reasor was awarded the Patriot District Second Team Libero of the Year, and during her Junior Year, and then she topped that her senior year with accolades including Patriot District First Team Libero of the Year, Occoquan Region 6C First Team Libero of the Year, VHSL Class 6 All-State First Team, and Washington Post’s All-Metropolitan First Team - the first time an athlete in my high school’s history to have received this honor! She also eclipsed the 1,000 career digs mark in her junior campaign. 

Jaden is a very high energy player that makes everyone better around her. I am excited to get her in the gym with our players as her impact on the program will be massive
Sean Byron

Jaya Bhagat / 5'10"/ Outside Hitter

Emmaus, PA / Emmaus HS

East Coast Power VB Club

Bhagat Action VB

Jaya's Resume:


Bhagat was a four-year varsity starter for Emmaus High School and team captain. She was named EPC MVP of the League once, was named to the PVCA 4A All-State Team twice, named to the District XI 4A First-Team twice, and was a LVHN Athlete of the Week. Bhagat was also First Team All-County in her time at Emmaus. For her career in high school, she totaled 884 kills, 487 digs, 106 blocks, and 98 aces. Bhagat also has quite the resume with her club team, having qualified for nationals five years in a row, as well as being the number one team in their region for the same five years. 

Jaya plays at a very high level competitively and literally! She jumps really well for an incoming freshman in the MAAC and we can’t wait to get her in the gym with the rest of the Red Foxes.
Sean Byron

Julianna Lavner / 6'0"/ Middle Blocker

Wayne, NJ / Wayne Valley HS

Allegro VB Club

Lavner Action VB

Julianna's Resume:


Lavner’s high school team went 25-5 last year before losing in the state finals, due in large part to Lavner’s stellar play. Among numerous all-conference and all-county accolades, She was First Team All-North Jersey, Second Team All-State, and nominated for the 2019 North Jersey Player of the Year award. Lavner totaled over 300 kills in her high school career.

Julianna is a very decorated middle blocker, that has led her high school team through the state tournament in New Jersey this spring. We are looking forward to having her as a part of our Red Fox family!
Sean Byron

Lauren Lietzke / 5'9"/ Setter

Austin, TX / St. Andrew's Episcopal HS

Austin Junior VB Club

another try

Lauren's Resume:


Lietzke was a four-year varsity starter for St. Andrew’s where she was a captain for three of those seasons. She led her team to an undefeated season in 2020, which came after she was named All-southwest Prep Conference in 2018 and 2019, and All South Zone in 2018. For her club team, she qualified for GJNC in the National Division in 2021, and has many other successful seasons including being named to the GJNC All-Tournament Team in 2019 and Placing third at the USA High Performance Championships in 2017. 

Lauren has grown up around the game of volleyball. She knows how to run an offense and knows how to train and win at every level she has played in throughout her career. She will be invaluable to what we are building here at Marist.
Sean Byron