VB | Hildebrand Welcomes Three Transfers for 2025 Campaign

MORAGA, Calif. — Hard at work shaping his first Gael roster, Saint Mary’s Volleyball Head Coach Tyler Hildebrand is excited to welcome three transfers to his 2025 squad. Vivian Parker, Alayna Pearson and Anaya Thrower all joined the Gaels this Spring, working hard to build rapport with their new team so as to be ready for competition in the fall. Let’s introduce Vivian, Alayna and Anaya:

Vivian Parker, 6-1, OH, Aledo, Texas (Missouri)

Coach Hildebrand’s first commit of the Spring was Vivian Parker, a lanky outside hitter with a rocket of a right arm out of Aledo, Texas, just west of Dallas. In her four year prep career, Parker was a force to be reckoned at Aledo High School, tallying 1205 kills and 1458 digs, leading the Bearcats to two district titles and four UIL Texas State Tournaments. With accolades that read like a novel, Parker was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and an AVCA All-Region team member as a senior, as well as the UIL District 5A MVP. She was honored as an All-State team member as a junior, and named the district Utility Player of the Year as a sophomore and a junior. Parker chose Saint Mary’s, “for the incredible culture of the school, competitive sports environment, and a chance to thrive academically and pursue my career dreams.” Coming in as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility, Parker will study health science while in Moraga. 

Alayna Pearson, 5-6, DS/L, Overland Park, Kansas (Missouri)

Continuing to tap the Mizzou pipeline, Alayna Pearson joined her 2024 teammate Vivian Parker on the trek west to California. Pearson comes to Saint Mary’s as a junior after spending her freshman season at Texas A&M and her sophomore campaign at Missouri. A graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School, Pearson tallied 1422 digs in four years for the Huskies. She was twice named a first team member of the All-Eastern Kansas League team (2021 and 2022) and was named the conference’s defensive player of the year in 2022 after recording 450 digs and leading her squad to a 24-11 record, their highest win total in six years. On choosing Saint Mary’s Pearson noted, “Saint Mary’s is incredibly accredited and prestigious academically with a focus on the individual. Everyone is within reach and willing to help in any way they can. It’s a luxurious environment with a homey and welcoming feel! Tyler, with such an impressive resume, is extremely qualified while also being a reliant and down to earth person. He has my utmost respect.” She will study biology while competing for the Gaels.

Anaya Thrower, 6-4, Middle Blocker, Vacaville, California (Oregon)

Standing at a towering 6-4, Anaya Thrower comes to Moraga looking to be an imposing force at the net as a middle blocker. Originally from Vacaville, less than 50 miles from Saint Mary’s campus, Thrower was an elite prep player at Vanden High School. In her upperclassmen years, Thrower tallied 383 kills and 209 blocks, including 157 as a senior, good for second in the state. A three time All-Mountain Empire League, Thrower was named league MVP as a senior as well as being named Vanden High School’s female student-athlete of the year. On why she chose Saint Mary’s, Thrower stated, “because of its reputation as a small liberal arts college that emphasizes character and student involvement with the community.  After visiting the college and meeting with the supportive staff, coaches, and team, I knew it was the place for me.” With four years of eligibility remaining, Thrower plans to study psychology at Saint Mary’s. 

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