University of Northern Colorado Athletics
11/11/2026 11:34:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Volleyball announces the signing of three new Bears to the volleyball program.
MEET THE SIGNEES:
AVERY SMILEY – LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST – GREELEY, COLO. – WINDSOR HS
Avery Smiley is the daughter of Nikki and Steve Smiley. Both of her parents attended Northern State University, where her mother competed in soccer and her father played basketball. Avery also has one sibling, Madden Smiley.
A multi-sport student-athlete at Windsor High School, Smiley competed in both volleyball and soccer. She will graduate from Windsor High School in 2027 and is now the new record holder for most digs in Windsor Volleyball school history. Some of Smiley's greatest sports moments include competing in the Colorado High School State Volleyball Championship and winning a national championship at the club volleyball level.
Smiley chose to attend UNC because of the location, the volleyball program and the university's strong education program. She plans to graduate in 2031 with a degree in Elementary Education.
"Avery knows how to win. She is going to do whatever it takes to make her team better. She has developed great touch on the ball and controls the first contact. We've known Avery for years through her family and as she attended our summer camps and are so glad that she can know officially be called a Bear" stated Head Coach, Lyndsey Oates.
Outside of volleyball, Smiley enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and playing volleyball. Following her collegiate career, she hopes to become an elementary school teacher and have a classroom of her own.
BROOKE FRIESEN – SETTER – SALEM, ORE. – SPRAGUE HS
Friesen is the daughter of Shannon and Anthony Friesen and has one sibling, Sidney. She will graduate from Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon, in 2027, where she has competed in volleyball
Friesen has earned numerous individual honors throughout her high school and club career. She was named CVC First Team All-League in 2023, 2024 and 2025, while earning CVC 6A Player of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2025. She was also recognized as an OSAA First Team All-State selection in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, Friesen was named Salem-Keizer Volleyball Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons and earned a spot on the 2023 USA Volleyball 15U American All-Tournament Team. Most recently, Friesen earned Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and Player of the Match as she led her team (Sprague HS) to the Oregon 6A State Championship
One of Friesen's greatest sports moments came in May 2026 when she competed in the USAV 18 Open National Championship match.
Friesen chose Northern Colorado because of the welcoming environment created by the coaching staff and team, along with the program's history of success and traditions. She looks forward to continuing to develop as a player, building relationships with her teammates and contributing to the program's success.
"Brooke brings size and talent at the setter position. She is a very poised player that can run the offense and will be ready to contribute right away. We are very excited about her potential and high ceiling" said Head Coach Lyndsey Oates.
Friesen plans to major in Kinesiology and is expected to graduate in 2031. Following her time at Northern Colorado, she hopes to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
ASHLYN DELANEY – MIDDLE BLOCKER – COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – THE CLASSICAL ACADEMY
Delaney is from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and will graduate from The Classical Academy in 2027. During her high school career, she has competed in both volleyball and basketball.
Delaney has earned numerous individual honors throughout her high school career. She was named team MVP during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. She also earned 3A All-State Honorable Mention recognition before being selected to the 3A All-State First Team. Additionally, Delaney was named 3A League Player of the Year.
One of Delaney's greatest sports moments came from helping lead her team to the state tournament during her freshman and junior seasons, finishing among the top 10 teams in the state.
"Ashlyn is a very versatile player and can help us in any front row position. She is a creative and physical attacker" stated Head Coach, Lyndsey Oates.
Delaney chose Northern Colorado because of the culture surrounding the program and the coaching staff.
Following her time at Northern Colorado, Delaney hopes to attend chiropractic or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine school before eventually taking over her mother's business.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action online and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsVB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsVB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsVB).
MEET THE SIGNEES:
AVERY SMILEY – LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST – GREELEY, COLO. – WINDSOR HS
Avery Smiley is the daughter of Nikki and Steve Smiley. Both of her parents attended Northern State University, where her mother competed in soccer and her father played basketball. Avery also has one sibling, Madden Smiley.
A multi-sport student-athlete at Windsor High School, Smiley competed in both volleyball and soccer. She will graduate from Windsor High School in 2027 and is now the new record holder for most digs in Windsor Volleyball school history. Some of Smiley's greatest sports moments include competing in the Colorado High School State Volleyball Championship and winning a national championship at the club volleyball level.
Smiley chose to attend UNC because of the location, the volleyball program and the university's strong education program. She plans to graduate in 2031 with a degree in Elementary Education.
"Avery knows how to win. She is going to do whatever it takes to make her team better. She has developed great touch on the ball and controls the first contact. We've known Avery for years through her family and as she attended our summer camps and are so glad that she can know officially be called a Bear" stated Head Coach, Lyndsey Oates.
Outside of volleyball, Smiley enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and playing volleyball. Following her collegiate career, she hopes to become an elementary school teacher and have a classroom of her own.
BROOKE FRIESEN – SETTER – SALEM, ORE. – SPRAGUE HS
Friesen is the daughter of Shannon and Anthony Friesen and has one sibling, Sidney. She will graduate from Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon, in 2027, where she has competed in volleyball
Friesen has earned numerous individual honors throughout her high school and club career. She was named CVC First Team All-League in 2023, 2024 and 2025, while earning CVC 6A Player of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2025. She was also recognized as an OSAA First Team All-State selection in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, Friesen was named Salem-Keizer Volleyball Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons and earned a spot on the 2023 USA Volleyball 15U American All-Tournament Team. Most recently, Friesen earned Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and Player of the Match as she led her team (Sprague HS) to the Oregon 6A State Championship
One of Friesen's greatest sports moments came in May 2026 when she competed in the USAV 18 Open National Championship match.
Friesen chose Northern Colorado because of the welcoming environment created by the coaching staff and team, along with the program's history of success and traditions. She looks forward to continuing to develop as a player, building relationships with her teammates and contributing to the program's success.
"Brooke brings size and talent at the setter position. She is a very poised player that can run the offense and will be ready to contribute right away. We are very excited about her potential and high ceiling" said Head Coach Lyndsey Oates.
Friesen plans to major in Kinesiology and is expected to graduate in 2031. Following her time at Northern Colorado, she hopes to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
ASHLYN DELANEY – MIDDLE BLOCKER – COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – THE CLASSICAL ACADEMY
Delaney is from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and will graduate from The Classical Academy in 2027. During her high school career, she has competed in both volleyball and basketball.
Delaney has earned numerous individual honors throughout her high school career. She was named team MVP during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. She also earned 3A All-State Honorable Mention recognition before being selected to the 3A All-State First Team. Additionally, Delaney was named 3A League Player of the Year.
One of Delaney's greatest sports moments came from helping lead her team to the state tournament during her freshman and junior seasons, finishing among the top 10 teams in the state.
"Ashlyn is a very versatile player and can help us in any front row position. She is a creative and physical attacker" stated Head Coach, Lyndsey Oates.
Delaney chose Northern Colorado because of the culture surrounding the program and the coaching staff.
Following her time at Northern Colorado, Delaney hopes to attend chiropractic or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine school before eventually taking over her mother's business.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action online and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsVB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsVB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsVB).
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