The St. Thomas University Tommies women's volleyball team has added a highly touted defensive specialist to the 2017-2018 roster.

Andrea Young, a product of Leo Hayes High School, will be joining the Tommies' volleyball squad this fall, following the footsteps of older brother Greg who recently capped off his soccer career with the Green and Gold.

Tommies head coach Don McKay is excited to have Young join the program and is looking forward to watching her progress in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association.

"Andrea is talented, very engaging, and super competitive. She loves to see her teammates do well and picks them up when needed. I'll always have a place on my team for someone like her," he said.

"She has a great combination of skill and athletic ability. I expect we'll see her earn considerable minutes this year."

Young has been playing volleyball since middle school and has competed with several talented high school and club teams. As a result, she's had the opportunity to play for many of the top coaches in the Fredericton area, which McKay said has made her into one of the best liberos in New Brunswick.

"Andrea is definitely one of the best high school defenders in the province and will help to solidify and add depth to our passing," he said.

Young is the first new addition to be announced by the STU squad, who fell to the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves 3-2 in the conference quarterfinals this season.

Young plans to study Anthropology at St. Thomas with the hopes of one day entering the field of forensic pathology.