ANDERSON, S.C. - Anderson University head volleyball coach Gene Krieger has announced the signing of five prep standouts to national letters of intent during the recent early signing period, with the quintet slated to join the Trojan volleyball team for the 2016 campaign.
Ariel Atwood (Grey Collegiate Academy/West Columbia, S.C.), Emily Conlin (Deer Valley High School /Glendale, Ariz.), Kathryn Hughes (Chapin High School/Chapin, S.C.), Rachel Mackey (Charlotte Latin High School/Charlotte, N.C.) and Hailee Wilhelm (Worthington Kilbourne High School/ Columbus, Ohio), have joined the AU volleyball squad, which will feature 12 returners from this year's team that made its fourth consecutive appearance in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament.
Atwood was a four-year varsity letterwinner for the War Eagles and holds the school's assist record. The 5-foot-10 setter was named to the All-State rookie team as a freshman, while earning all-region honors as a sophomore and helped lead the War Eagles to an impressive 52-8 record during her junior and senior seasons. She competed at the club level for three years for Magnum Volleyball and for two years for South Carolina Midlands as part of the 18 National Elite Region Championship squad in 2014-15.
Off the court, Atwood was a member of the Beta Club, Student Council and National Honor Society.
"I am excited about coming to AU," said Atwood. "From the moment I stepped on campus at Anderson and met Coach Krieger I knew that Anderson was the school I wanted to attend for academics and athletics."
"I met Ariel at the Big South tournament last Spring and was impressed with her energy and effort on the court," said Keiger. "I followed her team as the club season progressed and I saw tremendous improvement. I also felt she performed well at summer camp with many college hopeful players in attendance. If she keeps going at this rate, she will be a top quality setter for AU."
Conlin was a four-year varsity letterwinner for the Skyhawks, while garnering all-conference honors during her prep career. A 5-foot-8 setter, Conlin holds the school record for assists and also holds several conference records in track and field. She also competed for the AZ desert Sky Club team, which has been recognized as one of the top squads in the region.
Off the court, Conlin is tops in her class of nearly 500 students and is a member of the National Honor society, Young Life and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
"I am very excited to join the Anderson family and become a Trojan," said Conlin. "I can already tell from my previous visit that AU is an amazing school that will help me grow as both a person and an athlete. I can't wait to start the journey. Go Trojans!"
"Emily may be one of the most accomplished players to commit to Anderson volleyball," noted Krieger. "Her academic standing, community involvement and incredible high school and club athletic career will make her a valuable asset to our program and the AU campus."
Hughes, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Chapin High School, was named Region Player of the year and earned all-state recognition as a senior for the Eagles, while also competing for Magnum Volleyball Club Top Elite Teams 15-18. She also performed in the classroom, maintaining a 3.7 GPA and was a member of the BETA Club.
"I am extremely excited and looking forward to being a student at Anderson University and being a part of the volleyball program," said Hughes. "As soon as I stepped on campus, I fell in love with the beautiful scenery and welcoming atmosphere that the staff and students provided. I cannot wait to see what opportunities will open up to me as I start my college career at Anderson. Go Trojans!"
"We are thrilled to get one of the finest local players in South Carolina to join us," added Krieger. "Kathryn will give us height and ability at the net, which we will need next season. She is a wonderful, energetic young lady that will blend in beautifully with our campus and I look forward to watching her flourish as a student-athlete."
A 5-foot-9 outside hitter, Mackey served as team captain for the Hawks, while earning all-conference accolades and accumulating 895 kills during her stellar career. Mackey was a two-time "team-warrior" for Charlotte Latin and also competed for the Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club team.
"I am so excited to extend my volleyball family to the college level," said Mackey. "All the girls seem nice and I look forward to playing with them."
"We have been Rachel Mackey fans for a long time and will be thrilled when she is officially on campus," added Krieger. "She will be a tough all-around player for us as an outside hitter. She and her family are wonderful people and I am sure everyone will enjoy getting to know them as I have."
Wilhelm, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter/blocker, was a three-year starter for head coach Meladee Hopkins' Wolves, who are a perennial powerhouse in the Buckeye State. She captured First-Team All-Ohio Capital Conference honors following her junior and senior seasons and was named All-District for two consecutive seasons.
Off the court, Wilhelm is a National Honor Society member as well as being a three-year Key Club member. She is also in the National Latin Society and has been recognized as a scholar-athlete every season from both the OCC league and the State of Ohio.
Wilhelm was also a three-year starter on the basketball squad and holds the school record for career block shots, while helping lead the team to the most successful season in school history, as the Wolves posted 16 wins last season.
"I am quite excited to attend Anderson University and join Coach Krieger's squad," said Wilhelm. "I felt comfortable talking to Coach from our first conversation and after my first visit thought Anderson would be a good fit for me. That is one reason I was excited to commit early. Everyone I met on my visits were so nice-the students, professors, staff and all the people in town as well. They made my family and I feel very welcome. And the girls on the team were just super sweet. I can't wait to spend more time with those talented players who are already there, as well as those in my recruiting class. I know there is a foundation for a great team next season."
"Hailee was the first young lady I spoke to as the new coach at Anderson University," said Krieger. "We made an instant connection and over the next few months it seemed Anderson was the ideal spot for her. She is a blocking machine and will surprise people with how well she hits the ball behind the setter. I am hoping she will be a front row presence for us for years to come."
