Augustin Welcomes Nine Newcomers to ECU Volleyball

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina head volleyball coach Adler Augustin has announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the Pirates' 2026 roster, welcoming a talented group of six freshmen and three transfers ahead of the upcoming season. The incoming class brings a blend of championship experience, collegiate production and promising young talent that will strengthen the program at every position as East Carolina prepares for the 2026 campaign.

Incoming Transfers

Nina Edwards, Senior, Middle Blocker (Bowie State)
Nina Edwards joins the program after a decorated three-year career at Bowie State, where she became a three-time All-CIAA First Team selection and one of the most accomplished players in school history. In 2025, she posted a career-high 233 kills while leading the Bulldogs with 99 total blocks, earning CIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors and helping Bowie State secure its first conference tournament victory since 2008.

Over her three seasons, Edwards totaled 594 kills and 244 blocks while earning All-CIAA First Team honors each year. She was also named to the 2024 CSC Academic All-District Team and earned CIAA All-Rookie Team recognition as a freshman in 2023. A native of Matthews, North Carolina, Edwards starred at Levine Middle College High School, where she was an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and 2022 Offensive Player of the Year.

Emma Ortiz, Junior, Defensive Specialist/Libero (Syracuse)
Emma Ortiz comes to the program after two seasons at Syracuse, where she appeared in 39 matches and served as the Orange's starting libero in 15 contests during the 2024 season. She recorded 178 career digs, including 122 digs as a sophomore, while adding 12 service aces and posting a .905 reception percentage. Ortiz set career highs with 13 digs against Canisius and four aces against Fordham.

A graduate of Winter Park High School, Ortiz earned Top Libero honors and All-Tournament Team recognition at the Volleyball Recruiter event in 2022, along with MLK All-Tournament Team honors in 2023. She finished her high school career with 514 digs, 685 receptions, and 61 aces while serving as team captain during her senior season.

Naala Kasunga, Sophomore, Opposite Hitter (SMU/Miami)
Originally from Arlington, Texas, Naala Kasunga comes to the ECU program after a season at Southern Methodist and a spring semester at Miami. Although she did not see action at SMU, she was part of the 2024 squad that went 25-8 and made the NCAA Tournament.

Kasunga is a two-year varsity letterman from Flower Mound High School, where her senior year, her team went 34-8 on the year. The Opposite Hitter helped her team finish fifth in the state in 2023 and 2021, and became a Girls Junior National Champion with Mad Frog Volleyball.

Incoming Freshman

Kanani Magee, Right Side (Atlanta, Ga.)
Kanani Magee attended Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was a four-year varsity starter and key contributor to a program that consistently finished in the top three of its region. Over her high school career, she totaled 663 kills, including a career-high 257 as a senior, along with 160 blocks and a sophomore-season best of 96.

Magee earned Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman and was a two-time Westlake Offensive Player of the Year (2023, 2024). She also served as team captain for two seasons while excelling academically as a National Honor Society member, AP student, and member of the honor roll. In addition to volleyball, Magee competed in track and field, participating in the 4x100m, 4x400m, 200m dash, and high jump.

Lhogan Wright, Outside Hitter (McDonough, Ga.)
Lhogan Wright attended Eagle's Landing High School in McDonough, Georgia, where she was a four-year varsity volleyball letterwinner. Over her high school career, she totaled 773 kills and 82 blocks, establishing herself as a consistent offensive and defensive presence.

Wright also competed in track and field, participating in the high jump and long jump, and qualifying for the state meet in both events.

Clara Cloninger, Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter (Cherryville, N.C.)
Clara Cloninger attended North Myrtle Beach High School, where she was a four-year varsity volleyball standout and one of the most decorated athletes in program history. She finished her career with 1,518 kills and 1,389 digs, earning four Varsity MVP honors, four All-Region selections, and two Region Player of the Year awards (2024, 2025). Cloninger was also a two-time South Carolina All-State selection and helped lead her team to three Lowerstate titles and a 2024 state championship.

In addition to volleyball, Cloninger was a key contributor on the women's soccer team as a goalkeeper, earning four All-Region honors, two Goalkeeper of the Year awards, and two Varsity MVP selections. She also served as Student Body Vice President and held leadership roles in multiple honor organizations while graduating Summa Cum Laude and earning Senior Class Female Athlete of the Year honors.

Jaci Hall, Outside Hitter (San Antonio, Texas)
Jaci Hall attended John M. Harlan High School in San Antonio, Texas, where she totaled 917 kills and 504 digs across 380 sets played during her prep career. She established herself as a consistent two-way contributor on the court, impacting both offense and defense throughout her time as a varsity standout.

Hall earned multiple honors in 2024, including San Antonio Express-News All-Area Team recognition, TGCA All-State honors, and unanimous First Team All-District 28-6A selection. She also was named to the Pieper Tournament All-Tournament Team and helped capture a Club Volleyball National Championship in 2024.

Brook Watkins, Setter (Wake Forest, N.C.)
Brook Wright attended North Raleigh Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was a four-year varsity letterwinner and a key leader for one of the program's most successful eras. She helped lead the team to three 4A State Championships (2022, 2024, 2025) and finished her career with 1,854 assists.

Wright earned three First Team All-Conference selections (2023–2025) and was a two-time All-State honoree (2024, 2025). She was named Conference Player of the Year in 2025 and became the school's all-time assists leader during her senior season. Wright also excelled academically as a member of the National Honor Society.

Melanie Pinales, Middle Blocker (Toms River, N.J.)
A Toms River, N.J. native, Melanie Pinales attended Toms River High School, where she excelled athletically and academically. As a four-year letterman in volleyball, she totaled 294 kills with 115 blocks and 88 digs.

In her sophomore year, she was named TRS Offensive Player of the Year (2024). In the 2025 season, she helped her high school become the South Jersey Group Three State Sectional Champions, was named to the Group Three All-Division Team, and received the TRS MVP.

Pinales was also awarded the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish upon graduation and was a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, rounding out a strong academic and athletic profile.

Players Mentioned

Clara Cloninger

Nina Edwards

Jaci Hall

Naala Kasunga

Kanani Magee

Emma Ortiz

Melanie Pinales

Brook Watkins

Lhogan Wright

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