NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Merrimack women's volleyball coach Ken Nichols announced the signing of four student-athletes in the early signing period.
Tami Afolalu (Orange, CT), Devon Lowe (Burlington, Ontario), Gabrielle Moore (Mansfield, MA) and Naomi Vajda (Andover, MA) will join the Warriors next fall.
"These four all had such great visits, the current team is truly looking forward to getting them into our gym," Nichols said. "They represent so many possibilities, and are all getting such quality coaching, it will be fun to see where they are at in August! There is a consensus amongst them about making this program better and their goals will drive us to the next level."
Tami Afolalu
5-10 / Outside Hitter / Orange, CT / Hamden Hall Country Day School
A two-time All-NEPSAC selection and NEPSAC Class Player of the Year as a senior. She was a 4-year varsity volleyball captain for coach Gary Aurora at Hamden Hall, reaching 1,000 career kills and being named to the AVCA Phenom watchlist and the JVA watchlist. She plays club for Husky 18 National for coach Alex Temkin.
Coach Nichols Says: "Tami is a dynamic presence in the front row with effortless leaping ability and great vision as an attacker. She can be terminal from anywhere across the net as well as back row, where she is also a very capable player. Husky volleyball club has prepared her well for the rigors of DI volleyball and I am extremely excited to see what she can do next season."
Devon Lowe
5-7 / Setter / Burlington, Ontario, Canada / Aldershot High School
Earned the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) Award of Excellence in both 2023 and 2025. She was a Halton-Region All-Star and led Aldershot High School to the district championship under coach Emma Harris. Lowe was a silver medalist in the Canadian Beach Volleyball Nationals. Lowe plays club for the Smash Raiders with her father, Chris Lowe as her coach.
Coach Nichols Says: "Devon is a remarkable multi-sport athlete and it just so happens that she also excels at volleyball, She is a very quick setter, with a deceptive release, outstanding location and a sharp mind for the game. Her time at Smash Raiders (Canada) has her ready to assume the responsibility of running a DI offense."
Gabrielle Moore
5-5 / Libero / Mansfield, MA / Mansfield High School
A three-time Hockomock League All-Star, two-time Sun Chronicle All-Star, two-time Mansfield High MVP and senior captain for coach Tara DeGirolamo. She helped lead her team to the 2024 Bay State Games Championship and received the Games' Sportsmanship Award. Moore was named to the AAU Grand Prix Open All-Tournament Team twice and was named MVP and to the all-tournament team at the 2023 AAU Champions League Final 15 Open. She plays club for Lockdown VBC, coached by her mother, Colleen Moore.
Coach Nichols Says: "Gabbie will afford us great abilities as a defense weapon and also deepen our setter corps, Her ability to read attackers has developed far beyond her years and she is a commanding and deceptive server. Gabbie has received outstanding training from the Lockdown coaches, some of whom I have known for decades."
Naomi Vajda
6-2 / Middle Hitter / Andover, MA / Andover High School
Ranked No. 4 in Massachusetts and No. 152 in the nation for hitting efficiency in 2025, Vajda was an MAVCA All-State Team Nominee and the 2025 Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year at Andover High for coach Dan Young. The four-year varsity player had over 100 career solo blocks and was a two-time Merrimack Valley Conference (MVC) First-Team selection. She was a 2024 Eagle-Tribune All-Star and team captain and was a senior captain as she led Andover to the Northeast Bay State Championship. Vajda was a three-time New England Beach Volleyball Tournament champion. She plays club for Smash Volleyball Club for coach Julia Goyette.
Coach Nichols Says: "Naomi has the physical attributes to be a dominant player for us with the athleticism of a pin and size of a middle. She has that rare combination of height, speed, and vertical leap and will be a real presence at the net both offensively and defensively. Smash (MA) has developed many great talents and will have Naomi ready to make an impact right away."
