Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
VB | Gaels Go to the Portal, Sign Maddie Way from Hawaii
1/7/2026 9:11:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — Coming off of his first season at the helm of the Saint Mary's Gaels, Tyler Hildebrand will now embark on his first full recruiting season, and has kicked it off with his first portal signing for the 2026 season, signing Maddie Way, formerly of the University of Hawaii.
A middle blocker standing at 5-11, Way spent her first two collegiate seasons with the Rainbow Wahine. She made eight appearances as a true freshman in 2023, averaging 1.57 kills per set while hitting at 0.439, helping Hawaii to a Big West Title. This past season, Way saw her playing time increase, appearing in 12 matches, while averaging 1.61 kills per set on a team-best 0.359 hitting clip. Originally from Santa Clarita, California, just north of Los Angeles, Way prepped at one of the top high school volleyball programs in the country, Sierra Canyon. In her three years playing for the Trailblazers, they went 92-22 with three league titles and three CIF State Tournament berths. Individually, Maddie tallied 590 kills and 257 blocks over her three season prep career.
Way joins a middle blocker group that features returning starter Anaya Thrower and key reserve Layne Dent, who converted from outside hitter to middle blocker last season.
#GaelsRise
A middle blocker standing at 5-11, Way spent her first two collegiate seasons with the Rainbow Wahine. She made eight appearances as a true freshman in 2023, averaging 1.57 kills per set while hitting at 0.439, helping Hawaii to a Big West Title. This past season, Way saw her playing time increase, appearing in 12 matches, while averaging 1.61 kills per set on a team-best 0.359 hitting clip. Originally from Santa Clarita, California, just north of Los Angeles, Way prepped at one of the top high school volleyball programs in the country, Sierra Canyon. In her three years playing for the Trailblazers, they went 92-22 with three league titles and three CIF State Tournament berths. Individually, Maddie tallied 590 kills and 257 blocks over her three season prep career.
Way joins a middle blocker group that features returning starter Anaya Thrower and key reserve Layne Dent, who converted from outside hitter to middle blocker last season.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballVB | Tyler Hildebrand Season Wrap Up Press Conference, 12-2-25
Tuesday, December 02
VB | Highlights at Pepperdine, 11-29-25
Saturday, November 29
VB | Highlights at LMU, 11-26-25
Wednesday, November 26
VB | Tyler Hildebrand Postgame Presser vs. Washington State 2025
Saturday, November 22
