Naomi Franco Signs with Szent Benedek Röplabda Akademia

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri alumna Naomi Franco has signed a professional volleyball contract with CEV Cup and perennial Hungarian Extraliga contender, Szent Benedek Röplabda Akademia located in Balatonfüred, Hungary.

Franco, a right-side hitter from Fayetteville, Georgia, appeared in 73 sets and 41 matches over her two seasons (2023-24) at Mizzou.

She contributed to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for Missouri, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2024. 

Franco registered 39 kills, along with 11 digs and 10 blocks during her tenure at MU.

Prior to Mizzou, Franco spent three seasons at Syracuse. Named team captain in 2022, she recorded a career-high 23 kills and nine blocks wearing Syracuse colors. In three seasons with the Orange, she totaled 479 kills, 143 blocks and 110 digs.

Franco compiled 518 kills and 153 blocks spanning five collegiate seasons.

She is now the fifth professional player for head coach Dawn Sullivan at Missouri. Franco joins Dilara Gedikoglu (Shining Stars in Turkey), Mychael Vernon (Akademia Sant’Anna Messina in Italy), Kiaraliz Perez Catala (Puerto Rico’s Las Changas de Naranjito) and Colleen Finney (A.O. Lamias in Greece) as Mizzou pro volleyball players.

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