WORCESTER, Mass. - Holy Cross volleyball head coach Matthew Cribbin has announced that two additional student-athletes, Georgia Murphy and Nicole Zake will join the program for the upcoming 2026 campaign.

"We are thrilled to add two incredible women to our program," said coach Cribbin. "They bring a fantastic mix of competitiveness, leadership, and experience as well as top tier character.  They both have already made a great impact in our locker room and in the gym."

Georgia Murphy | OH | 5-10 | Plano, Texas | John Paul II | Sacred Heart

• Appeared in 11 matches for Sacred Heart in 2025
• Recorded four kills, all in different matches
• Added one assist, three aces and three digs as well
• Played two seasons at Stonehill (2023, 2024) playing in a total of 54 matches and tallied 294 kills, 264 digs, 38 aces, 30 total blocks and 20 assists
• Ranked third on the team in kills (145), with 108 digs, 20 blocks and 19 aces in 2024
• Set a career-high with 19 kills against Holy Cross in 2024
• Had 149 kills while hitting .102 with 156 digs, 19 aces, 17 assists and nine total blocks in 2023
• Had a double-double with 14 kills and 17 digs in a five set win over Central Conn. St.
• Had a personal-high with 18 digs in a four set victory over Le Moyne
• Was a three-time Offensive Player of the Year at John Paul II
• Earned Honorable Mention for TAPPS All-District
• Competed for the 1United club team

Coach Cribbin on Georgia Murphy: "Georgia is a very athletic and fast attacker, she brings a great mix of defense and serve receive on top of her dynamic attacking. Georgia displays versatility in both front and back row, attacking with great speed and reach. Furthermore, her experience in northeast NCAA Division I volleyball will help move us forward in the region."

Nicole Zake | OH | 5-10 | Simi Valley, Calif. | Oaks Christian School | CSU Bakersfield

• Competed for one season at CSU Bakersfield of the Big West Conference
• Led the team in kills (349) while ranking second in aces (33) and third in digs (214) while recording a 3.65 K/S mark and a 2.02 D/S mark with 19 total blocks while hitting .136 in 2025.
• Ranked eighth in the Big West in kills and kills per set while coming in at tied for 13th in aces and aces per set.
• Recorded a career-high 26 kills with 12 digs on .232 hitting at Calf. St. Northbridge
• Had a personal-best 16 digs in a victory versus Eastern Washington
• Hit .367 with 14 kills at Sacramento State
• Had 19 double-digit kill contests with a pair of 20+ kill performances
• Tallied five games of double-digit digs, all were double-double efforts
• Appeared in 11 matches for Virginia Tech in 2024
• Tallied five digs and four aces for the Hokies
• Competed for Oaks Christian School
• Earned NCSAA Player of the Year honors in 2022
• During her senior season, posted 364 kills, 202 digs and 35 aces
• Made AVCA All-Region team and earned the AVCA Best and Brightest Award
• Two-time CIF Southern Section Division 3 Finalist
• Competed for the LAVA club team
• Also competed for the varsity soccer and softball teams

Coach Cribbin on Nicole Zake: "Nicole is another extremely dynamic and talented outside hitter.  Her experience and success at her previous stops shows us what she is capable of in the Patriot League. Her ability to score with both power and finesse will be very valuable to us!"
 
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