SAN FRANCISCO – Former San Francisco State volleyball student-athlete Jessica Haynie has signed a professional contract to play overseas. Haynie will play for Team Skenderbeu in Albania and reunite with her club coach Orlando (Landi) Koja.
 
"I truly love the sport and thought I was done with indoor after college, but I am so thankful that Landi is giving me the chance to compete again," stated Haynie. "It's a chance to learn an entire new way of playing and I couldn't be more excited!"
 
Haynie will be living and playing in Albania from December to May, when the season ends. Team Skenderbeu, named after a legendary Albanian fighter, is located in the town of Korca which is close to the border of Greece. Team Skenderbeu won the Albanian elite women's national league last season, ending a 36-year title drought.
 
An AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, AVCA All-West Region honoree and All-CCAA First Team selection last season, Haynie had a strong season in her final year in a Gator uniform in 2021. Haynie led the team in kills (346) was third in digs (163) and service aces (35) and ranked fifth on the team in blocks (34). The senior had one of her best weekends in the regular season final when she racked up 49 kills on the weekend and a career high 26 against Cal State San Marcos en route to earn CCAA weekly recognition as well as being named the first AVCA National Player of the Week in Gator history. Haynie also earned All-CCAA Honorable Mention in 2019 and All-CCAA Second Team in 2018.
 
The Gators now have two former volleyball student-athletes playing professionally abroad. Iris Tolenda '13 currently plays in the Phillipines.