ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University head volleyball coach Todd Hay has announced the addition of seven prep standouts for the 2018 season, as Britney Bailey (Yokota High School/Yokota, Japan), Meghan Devaux (Carolina Forest High School/Myrtle Beach, S.C.), Liliana Kinder (Ponte Vedra, Fla./Ponte Vedra High School), Noelle Knutsen (Chaparral High School/Parker, Colo.), Maya Learmonth (Pflugerville High School/Pflugerville, Texas), Madison Roy (North Myrtle Beach High School/Myrtle Beach, S.C.) and Neely Shugart (Rock Hill High School/Rock Hill, S.C.) have joined the Trojan volleyball squad, which won the first regular-season conference title in program history and set a school record with 28 wins last season.
The record-setting squad featured three All-Southeast Region honorees, including Emily Conlin, who was named an Honorable Mention All-American. There were four seniors on last season's team that made its fourth overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
"We are very excited to announce our 2018 recruiting class," said Hay, the reigning South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year. "I feel like this class definitely addresses our needs due to graduation losses and adds needed depth at all positions on the team. It is a very good blend of physical height, athleticism and skill sets. There is a definite need for these players to contribute right away and I believe they can help us maintain the standards that we set in 2017. We welcome each one of these future Trojans to the AU family."
Bailey is a 6-foot middle hitter, who is also expected to compete on the women's basketball team after twice being named All-Far East for the two-time reigning Division II Champion Panthers and earning Most Valuable Player honors. She averaged 10.3 kills and 2.6 blocks, while helping lead the Panthers to a 29-8 record. Prior to playing at Yokota, Bailey was an All-Island selection following her sophomore season at Guam High School.
"Britney attended our camp last summer and we were immediately drawn to her energetic personality and overall athleticism," noted Hay. "She will be a dual-sport athlete and will also compete in basketball for Coach Barbaree. This will likely be a redshirt year for her in volleyball but she will be able to train with us every day and raise her game up to another level."
Devaux, a 5-foot-4 libero/defensive specialist who was named the Region 6-5A Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Region and South Carolina All-State Teams. She captured the Panther's team Defensive Award, Team MVP Award and served as a team co-captain. Devaux was an all-region honoree in 2016 and earned the team Defensive Award in both 2015 and 2016. She recorded 794 career digs and 194 career service aces.
"Meghan is a very smooth and natural passer of the ball," added Hay. "When she attended our camp last summer, she just may have been the best player on the court. She reads the game very well, has excellent ball control and will add strong depth at the Defensive Specialist/Libero position."
Kinder is a 5-foot-10 middle blocker/rightside hitter who helped lead the Sharks to a stellar 25-5 record and a state championship during the 2017 campaign. During her junior season, PVHS posted a 21-10 overall record, including an unblemished 10-0 record in district play, while advancing to the state championships.
Kinder played club volleyball for the Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association and is a member of the JJVA 18N National Team. Her squads have earned fifth place at 2017 Colorado Crossroads and at the 2016 Big South, while bringing home first place in Silver at 2015 MLK Invitational and the top spot in Gold at the 2013 Spring Classic.
"Lily will be one of the best overall athletes in our gym this fall," said Hay. "She has a strong vertical jump and hits effectively on the right side as well as the middle. She has extensive experience as a beach player which is great for her all-around game. She may see some time in the back row as well."
Knutsen is a middle hitter who captured honorable mention all-state accolades and helping lead the Wolverines to the Continental League Championship and a third-place finish at the state level as a senior. She garnered First-Team All-League honors as a junior after helping lead Chaparral to seventh place at state.
"Noelle was a late but excellent addition to our recruiting class," said Hay. "She is tall and quick and hits a very strong slide attack behind the setter. Her foot speed and hard-working attitude was very evident when we were watching and recruiting her. That is such an important trait for middles to possess. We look forward to seeing her build the connection and chemistry with Emily Conlin."
Learmonth, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, served as team captain for three seasons, while earning MVP and second-team all-district honors. Off the court, she earned Academic All-District honors from 2014-17.
"Maya has a very strong arm with a great vertical jump," noted Hay. "She can generate a lot of power and has excellent hand-to-ball contact when she swings. Her ability to effectively hit any tempo and any position will be very welcome in the gym this fall."
Roy is a 5-foot-10 setter who was a four-year starter for the Chiefs, and was a three-time all-region honoree. She served as team captain for the Chiefs for three years and for her club team (Grand Strand) four times.
"Maddie adds that true second setter we need on our roster," said Hay. "Christina Stacy did an amazing job in that role this past year. At 5-foot-10 and athletic, Maddie is a blocking presence at the net and can also attack if needed. She has strong, consistent hands and can put the ball where it needs to be. We are excited to see her work with a mentor like Emily Conlin and take her game to a new level."
Shugart is a 6-foot-2 middle blocker who was a four-year letterwinner for the Bearcats and also played club volleyball for the Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club in Charlotte, N.C. She was named All-Region 4-AAAAA in both 2016 and 2017 and led the region in blocks and finished second on the team in kills. Shugart played in 326 sets during her prep career, accumulating 576 kills, 226 blocks and a .217 hitting percentage and garnered All-Tournament accolades at the 2016 Nation Ford Invitational, 2016 Dorman Tournament of Champions and both the 2016 and 2017 Wando Invitational. She was named to the AVCA Under-Armour All-American Watch List from 2014-2017 and in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
"Neely adds more size to our middle blocker position and will be a strong blocking presence at the net," stated Hay. "She is capable of hitting effectively in front of the setter as well as behind off one foot. Neely also has significant experience at right side should the need arise."
The Trojans are scheduled to open the 2018 campaign, Aug. 24-25, at the Coker/Francis Marion Tournament.