Albany Player Signs Letter of Intent To Play Volleyball at SCSU

(KNSI) – A local volleyball standout is staying close to home for her college career.

On Wednesday, St. Cloud State announced its Class of 2026, which features seven incoming freshmen. It is the largest in over a decade, and includes a middle blocker from Albany High School.

Avon’s Brynn Panek is a 5’11” middle blocker who has achieved tremendous success at the team level and individually, the past two years. On top of a pair of all-state selections from the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association, Albany has made the state tournament in 2024 and 2025. They followed up a third-place finish a year ago with a fourth-place result in Class AA earlier this month.

Albany head coach Brian Hines praised Panek for her offensive abilities. “Brynn was one of our go-to players this season on offense. She was a dominant hitter in any zone along the net and gave us huge side-outs when our team needed her. Not one team this season could stop her on a consistent basis as she hit .353 on the season. She was first on our team in kills (375) and second in blocks (45).”

St. Cloud State head coach expects Panek to have a shot at playing time right away. “Brynn is one of the more natural one-foot attackers we have seen in the past few years. She is explosive through her approach and elevates well. She plays with a passion that is infectious with her teammates. Couple that with her blocking skills, and Brynn has the potential to see some court time early in her college career.”

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