Carolina Volleyball Adds Two to 2020 Squad

CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina head volleyball coach Joe Sagula is pleased to announce the addition of incoming freshman Aziah Buckner and sophomore transfer Niki Khoshatefeh to the 2020 squad.

Buckner and Khoshatefeh join the Tar Heels' 2020 recruiting class that received a highest honorable mention nod from PrepVolleyball.com and named honorable mention by VolleyballMag.com. In addition to Buckner and Khoshatefeh, the class includes Kaya Merkler, Maylen Mitrovich, Sydney Reed and transfer Amanda Phegley.

"We're really excited for our program and this incoming class to be recognized for their success," Sagula said. "I'm looking forward to what they can bring to our program for years to come. Aziah and Niki add to a solid recruiting class and add the depth we need for this year. These six are a great addition to the team culture and academic success of the program."

Name: Aziah Buckner
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
High School: Briarcrest Christian School
Club Team: Memphis Juniors

A four-year letterwinner at Briarcrest Christian School, Aziah Buckner is an outside hitter/right side for the Saints under coach Carrie Yerty. The 2019 Under Armor all-America honorable mention led Briarcrest Christian to its second consecutive Division 2-AA state championship and third in the last four years, as the Saints compiled a 79-6 record over the past two seasons. During her senior campaign, the outside hitter recorded 366 kills, 232 digs and 50 blocks with a .261 hitting percentage to earn prep volleyball player of the year honors from the Daily Memphian. Buckner earned all-state, all-region and all-metro accolades and garnered all-district honorable mention in 2016-17. Helping her team to three AVCA team academic awards, the Spanish National Honor Society member also participated in the Wilson's society and Le Bonheur club. On the club circuit, Buckner played for the Memphis Juniors under coach James Onikeku.

"Aziah is a great, dynamic athlete who we feel has a lot of potential to become a great six-rotation player," Sagula said. "She's quick. She's an explosive jumper. Aziah also led her team to championships and is extremely competitive. She comes from a good family with great athletic character. She will be a contributor and add depth as a pin hitter."

A Memphis, Tennessee native, Buckner is the daughter of Greg and Regina Buckner and the older sister of Paris, Ace, Addison and Abigail. Her father, Greg, played basketball at Clemson, was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. After a 10 year NBA playing career, he coached for the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies organizations.

"Carolina's reputation definitely precedes itself," Buckner said, "but the people made me fall in love with it. The coaches showed me they care about the person just as much as the athlete, and the players immediately welcomed and accepted me. Even the non-coaching staff was super helpful and kind!"

Name: Niki Khoshatefeh
Position: Middle blocker
Height: 6-2
Hometown: Temecula, Calif.
High School: Great Oak HS
Club Team: Forza1

Niki Khoshatefeh comes to Carolina from UMBC where she earned America East all-rookie team honors led all America East freshmen in hitting percentage. Khoshatefeh played in all 23 of UMBC's matches as a freshman, starting 21 and appearing in 87 sets. The middle blocker totaled 67 block assists and 167 kills for a .304 attack percentage to rank second in the American East. Khoshatefeh had a career-best match with 14 kills and 10 blocks vs. Coppin State. She also ranked fifth in blocks and 10th in blocks per set in the American East.

"I'm really excited about Niki because she comes with experience having a very successful freshman year at UMBC," Sagula said. "She's someone we recruited years ago and is looking for the right fit athletically and academically. It is a great fit for both our program and Niki. I've been very impressed with Niki. She will add a strong level of maturity to the team, a great work ethic, and she's a kid who's character and work ethic fit nicely with our program. Her skills as a middle are versatile and fit well with our system."

Prior to UMBC, Khoshatefeh earned MVP and second-team all-league honors as a senior at Great Oak High School in Temecula, California. On the club circuit, she helped Forza1 to a fifth place title at Junior Nationals in 2018. Earning academic honors for a 4.0 GPA or higher every year of high school, Khoshatefeh is the daughter of Parisa and Ashkan Khoshatefeh and the sister to Neda.

"I chose to play volleyball at UNC because I loved the culture that the coaches established in the program, along with the school spirit that everyone has," Khoshatefeh said. "UNC has always been my dream school because of its high athletic and high academic standards."

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