NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Northwestern State Demon volleyball team completed its 2026 roster under second-year head coach Ben Kaszeta with the signings of Valerie Brown, Elizabeth Murgurza, Ana Gjorgjievska and Camilia Torquati.

Brown (freshman, 5-9, defensive specialist) comes to the Demons by way of Crowley, Louisiana. The Notre Dame high school graduate had a remarkable senior year recording 293 kills, 374 digs, 35 aces, 32 blocks and 25 assists. As a result, she was named District 2-Division III MVP.

"She is an awesome young lady who comes from a wonderful family," said Kaszeta. "She's the youngest of 11 kids and I've known her for quite some time. She was an all-state player in Louisiana and brings some local ties and should have some excitement with her coming up from Crowley."

Murgurza (5-10, freshman) is an outside hitter who joins the Demons as an accomplished player from Barcelona, Spain. The newcomer could provide some much-needed assistance on the front line as NSU lost 74.7 percent of its kills from 2025 with the losses of Deja Benjamin, Makenna Tryon, Olivia Bush and Samaya Wesson.

"Elizabeth is doing some great things in Spain," said Kaszeta. "She should hopefully be able to fill that hole with the kills we lost from last year. She's going to be a late arrival because she's playing in the western European championships until August. But she could really be a big help to us."

The Demons could also get some help on the offensive end from Gjorgjievska (5-10, outside hitter). Out of Skopje, Macedonia, she has been a starter on North Macedonia's Under 18 National team since 2023.

"Ana is a solid volleyball player in every way," said Kaszeta. "She can score from both pins and has some experience playing at the highest level in her country which so translate well to her competing in the Southland."

Torquati (5-11, setter) is also an overseas signee of the Demons from Argentina and was the final addition to the 2026 roster.

"She decided kind of late to come over but she should be able to challenge for a possible starting spot at the setter position," Kaszeta said. "She puts up a really good block so not only as a setter, but she should be a good defensive option as well."

Murgurza, Brown, Torquati and Gjorgjievska round out a class of nine true freshman entering the program which is tied for the most on one team in program history with the 2011 team. The other five freshmen, Amber Craig, Anna Clair Hebert, Addison Guy, Olivia Nzioki and Gillian Wolf, will give the Demons a boat load of youthful talent.

NSU also returns eight from the 2025 squad led by senior Jade Longlad who was second in the Southland in aces with 50. Sophomores Elsie Sanchez Oliver, Emmarie McFarland, Harper Cauley and Julia Whitfield along with redshirt shirt freshmen Riley Schubyert and Kenadii Winfrey are back as well to round out the 17-player roster.  

"I think this going to be a gritty group of kids," said Kaszeta. "I wanted to put a roster together that firstly would do well in this community. But I wanted kids that exemplify me a little bit. I'm a fierce competitor and this group of kids want to compete. They want to go after things and win. All these players come from winning programs. So, they are going to come in right off the bat expecting to win and I think that's going to help us in the long run."

The Demons begin preseason practice next week. Check out NSUDemons.com for a recap of the first week as NSU prepares for an exhibition match on Friday, Aug. 21 at home against Alcorn State at 6:30 p.m.

The Demons open the regular season on Friday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. in the West Georgia Tournament in Carrollton, Georgia against West Georgia.