By TIM TAYLORTioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Owego volleyball standout Maggie Hamed has signed to continue her education and athletic career at Division II Pace University.
The senior outside hitter had signed with the Setters earlier and a ceremony was held at OFA Monday to acknowledge that milestone in her career.
“I picked Pace for the high academics and the team atmosphere,” Hamed said. “I really just fell in love with it as soon as I got on campus and it was just the right fit for me.
Hamed won’t be taking the easy educational route, choosing to study psychology and sociology.
“I want to eventually be a clinical psychologist,” she said.
Several factors weighed in on her decision to go to Pace.
“The competitiveness and the fact that they prioritize academics first, and just the division and just the team, to be honest, and my coach for sure,” she said.
One of the top players in Section IV over the past five seasons, Hamed hoped to bring more than volleyball talent to Pace.
“I really just want to bring my positive energy and just learn,” she said. “Honestly, I want to learn from them and maybe help build a legacy there.
There are areas she’s hoping to improve on in an effort to be successful at the collegiate level.
“Maybe just my all-around IQ, just learning at that level, it'll just better me,” Hamed said. “Just everything. I think I can always improve. “
“Her hard work, leadership and dedication have prepared her for this next step and I know that she's going to accomplish big things within her academic and volleyball career,” coach Abbey Manning said. “I'm not sure we've had someone go D2 from Owego in volleyball, so this is super exciting that we have someone going this far — and being able to see what she accomplishes at this next level is going to be super exciting.”
Hamed made the Owego varsity in 2021 as an 8th-grader and helped the River Hawks win five STAC Central Division titles and two conference championships. During that span, Owego also won four Section IV championships and would advance to the state final four in 2024.
She was named to the New York Volleyball Coaches Association Class A all-state first team in 2024 and was a fourth team pick in 2023.
Hamed was named the 2021 All-Tioga County Girls Volleyball Newcomer of the Year and was named to the first team. She was also picked for The Sports Reports All-Region all-rookie and third teams, and was also chosen as a Bakers Dozen Newcomer of the Fall.
In 2022 she was named to the All-Tioga County first team and The Sports Reports third team and in 2023 she was selected the All-Tioga County Co-player of the Year and The Sports Reports third team.
In 2024 she was chosen for the All-Tioga County and The Sports Reports All-Region first teams, and was named to the NYSPHSAA all-tournament team.
Hamed was also named STAC Central/East all-conference from 2022-25 and was a STAC Central Division all-star in 2021.
Other media has selected her to an Elite 15 team in 2024 and an Elite 10 all-star in 2023 and Greater Binghamton Player of the Year in 2023.
With the exception of the STAC all-stars, awards for the 2025 season have not been released, but Hamed should again expect to rake in several more honors.
Her 5-year stats include 1,064 kills, 457 digs, 201 assists and 143 aces.
Pace, which competes in the Northeast 10 Conference, compiled a 10-11 overall record this past season. The university is located in Pleasantville, New York, north of New York City and about three hours from Owego.
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
