GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University volleyball coach Austin Albers has announced the addition of graduate transfer Sydney Amiatu to the Mavericks' 2026 season roster.

Amiatu, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Oceanside, California, has spent the past four years at the University of Hawai'i, where she played beach volleyball for the Rainbow Wahine. 

Her older brother Blake is CMU men's lacrosse assistant coach.

Sydney Amiatu, who was previously an award-winning player at El Camino High School, joins eight other previously announced additions as part of the Mavs' 2026 recruiting class.

Her complete biography, along with her and Albers' comments can be found below.
 
Before CMU: Attended the University of Hawai'i and played beach volleyball for four years (2023-26), including a redshirt season… Earned Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll accolades in the first three with the fourth year still pending.
As a Redshirt Junior (2026): Compiled a 9-6 record while playing with six different partners… Played at four different flights, the majority of which came at No. 5, where she went 5-3… Secured five wins in seven matches alongside Sarah Burton… Recorded three straight wins in the Big West Challenge.

As a Redshirt Sophomore (2025): Competed in all 35 of the Rainbow Wahine's 35 matches… Went 11-23 overall playing at four different flights… Played most of her matches at No. 5 going, 6-10 in that flight… Played with five different partners during the season… Named to the Academic All-Big West squad and to the Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll.

As a Redshirt Freshman (2024): Earned First Team All-Big West honors with partner Riley Wagoner…. Gained AVCA Top Flight status at the No. 4 spot after going 21-6 in that flight… Went 22-11 overall with Wagoner while playing in 35 of 36 of the Rainbow Wahine's matches… Enjoyed a stretch of nine wins over 10 matches, with the lone loss coming at the hands of top-ranked USC… Sported eight wins over ranked opponents on the season, seven of those against the Top 10… Among the wins were those against No. 5 TCU, No. 6 Cal, No. 7 Long Beach State and No. 8 LSU… Clinched the deciding point in the Big West title match with a three-set victory over Long Beach State… Named to the Academic All-Big West squad and to the Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll.

As a Freshman (2023): Redshirt season… Named to the Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Prep: Graduated with honors from El Camino High School in 2022… Set school records for kills in a match (35) and season (561) as well as for digs in a season (398)… Was a team captain as a freshman, helping lead the Wildcats to the 2018 CIF finals while setting a then school-record with 513 kills… Earned First Team All-Avocado League honors for three years in a row… Was an AVCA Freshman and MaxPreps Underclassman All-American… Also earned AVCA Player of the Week honors in 2019… Was named as the Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the 2021 BVCA Florida Cup Challenge for beach volleyball.

Club: Played for the Coast Volleyball Club from 14-1 to 17-1… Was an AVCA All-American and on AVCA Phenom Watchlist in 2021 after being named as Max Prep's California Player of the Week in 2019… Was also named to Prep Volleyball's Sophomore No. 79 that year.

Personal: Will work towards an MBA degree at CMU… Wants to pursue a career in sports marketing… Daughter of Nicole and Lee Amiatu… Brother Blake is CMU's assistant men's lacrosse coach.

Why I Chose CMU: "I was very excited about the programs goals and loved the coaching staff, team, and school environment. Being close to family was also very important for me, so getting the chance to play for a school that my brother coaches at and sister-in-law (Alisa) works at was a big factor in my decision."

Albers on Amiatu: "Sydney is a great addition to the roster and was exactly the type of player and person that we felt would be the final puzzle piece to putting together a group that can chase an RMAC Championship in 2026. She brings with her high level experience, six-rotation capabilities and mature leadership qualities that will raise the level of play and the culture in our gym. We're super excited for Sydney to get to work and to bring her in to our team."