
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
VB | Gaels Add Second Former Fighting Hawk, Sign Ava Galvan Out of the Portal
1/12/2026 9:09:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — Incoming transfer setter Sadie White will have a familiar face on the court when she arrives in Moraga, as her former teammate at North Dakota, middle blocker Ava Galvan, will also be joining the Gaels for next season. Originally from Southern California, Galvan will return to her home state after playing quite a bit for North Dakota as a true freshman.
After missing the first 11 matches of the year, Galvan burst onto the scene starting 14 of the final 16 matches at middle blocker. Despite playing in only 57 of 98 sets last year for North Dakota, Galvan still managed to finish fourth on the team with 87 kills, while also ranking fourth with a 0.201 hitting clip. Standing at an imposing 6-3, Galvan also came up with 31 roofs for the season, including seven solo blocks. Originally from Agoura Hills, California, Ava prepped at Agoura High School, where she led the Chargers to the CIF Southern Section tournament as a junior and freshman
Galvan is the second middle blocker brought in by Coach Hildebrand from the portal, as she joins Maddie Way in the incoming transfer class of 2026. Paired with returners Anaya Thrower and Layne Dent, there should be excellent competition amongst the Gaels middles this offseason.
#GaelsRise
After missing the first 11 matches of the year, Galvan burst onto the scene starting 14 of the final 16 matches at middle blocker. Despite playing in only 57 of 98 sets last year for North Dakota, Galvan still managed to finish fourth on the team with 87 kills, while also ranking fourth with a 0.201 hitting clip. Standing at an imposing 6-3, Galvan also came up with 31 roofs for the season, including seven solo blocks. Originally from Agoura Hills, California, Ava prepped at Agoura High School, where she led the Chargers to the CIF Southern Section tournament as a junior and freshman
Galvan is the second middle blocker brought in by Coach Hildebrand from the portal, as she joins Maddie Way in the incoming transfer class of 2026. Paired with returners Anaya Thrower and Layne Dent, there should be excellent competition amongst the Gaels middles this offseason.
#GaelsRise
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