JV Volleyball | 8.21.2020 at 9:00 AM
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – John Brown University head junior varsity volleyball coach Steve Brankle announced on Friday (Aug. 21) morning the signing of 14 student-athletes to the inaugural team.
Spanning six states - from Arkansas to Arizona - the Class of 2024 includes all prep players, as Brankle organizes a Golden Eagle junior varsity volleyball squad for competition for the first time since the 1980's.
"I am very excited with the level of talent we are bringing in for our inaugural team," Brankle said. "We have been able to recruit a well-balanced team and are at least two-deep at each position, and a number of the players could play on varsity teams at other schools. A few strengths really stick out with this team - initially our versatility. We have many girls like Skyler, Jo, Aaliyah, Lauren and Julia that can play multiple positions. The second strength is our athleticism. Brittney and Skyler, in particular, have been among the leaders among the varsity and junior varsity student-athletes in our off-season workouts.
"We have also been fortunate to get some players that have played in great high school and club programs. Lauren has won a state championship in Arkansas' highest division and has been very well-trained by coach Michelle Smith at Bentonville High School. Kelli played for a high school that is year in and year out a high-level program. Hailey has played for two of the best club programs in Oklahoma and has been well-coached as a setter. Brittney has also coached club ball and will bring that experience and leadership to the floor as libero, and she will be a great floor general for our team. Jo, having trained with our varsity and being a junior, will also bring much-needed leadership to this team. All of them are good players, but even more importantly, this is an amazing group of young ladies. They are all solid students and were leaders in their high schools and churches.
"I expect great things from them on the court, but even more so in the classroom and in their future careers. While only Maddie and Joanna have ever played together before, I expect us to gel quickly as a team and be competitive in our matches in our first season."
Name: Madison Boehmer • Position: Defensive Specialist • High School: Homeschool
Prep Highlights: 576 assists in single season ... 55 assists in single match ... 1,382 career assists ... .920 career serving percentage ... participated in 2019 National Christian Homeschool Championships ... named All-Tournament and All-American.
// "Maddie is a Siloam Springs product who was a leader on the local Net Force team. She was selected to the All-American team her senior year. She will primarily be used as a defensive specialist but can also set if needed. Maddie is very athletic and has tons of energy. She will definitely be a spark plug on the team."
Name: Alexeya Bohlender • Position: Utility • High School: Valley Union
Prep Highlights: Named best athlete three consecutive years ... two seasons playing softball ... two seasons playing basketball
// "Ally is right side and backrow player from Arizona. She has great court awareness and a nose for the ball. She will primarily be used as a defensive specialist but has the ability to play right side as well if needed."
Name: Joanna Brown • Position: Middle Hitter • High School: Homeschool
Prep Highlights: Posted 11 kills and six blocks in single-game career highs and hit .340 on the match ... NCHVC 18U Class 4A National Runner Up ... played two seasons with shooting sports (air rifle).
// "Jo is a middle blocker who can also play either pin position. She reads very well and has the potential to be a shut-down blocker. As the only upperclassman on the team, Jo's leadership and mentoring will be a very important part of our team chemistry. She worked out with the varsity this spring and is ready to lead our JV program."
Name: Aaliyah Buckner • Position: Outside Hitter • High School: Maranatha Christian Academy
Prep Highlights: No volleyball highlights submitted ... second place at conference in the 4x100 as a freshman ... second place in the conference in the 4x400 as a junior ... secured first place in triple jump at conference ... first place at regionals in triple jump ... part of 4x100 state championship team that broke program record ... helped 4x200 team break program record.
// "Aaliyah is a very athletic player who can play all front-row positions, as well as pass in the backrow. She is a hard worker and can do whatever she sets her mind to. In high school, she was a four-sport athlete and will also run and jump on the JBU track and field team."
Name: Julia Dinwiddie • Position: Middle Blocker • High School: Meeker
Prep Highlights: Back-to-back league champion ... three-time regional champion ... set single-match career highs with 23 kills, five blocks ... picked All-State for three consecutive seasons ... named league MVP ... named All-Conference in back-to-back years ... ran track and field for three seasons ... played basketball for four seasons.
// "Julia is a middle from Colorado where she was most recently selected to the All-State team her senior year. She has a very strong offensive game and a nice block. She has the potential to be a big presence in the front row for our team."
Name: Taylor Graham • Position: Outside Hitter • High School: Coram Deo Academy
Prep Highlights: Named to All-District first team ... two-time All-District second team selection ... two-year girl's basketball letterwinner.
// "Taylor, a multi-sport high school athlete, is a right side who will be a presence on the front row with her height and blocking ability. She has a great attitude and will be a leader on the team."
Name: Serena Gray • Position: Middle Hitter • High School: Pryor
// "Serena has a real feel for reading defenses and has a strong block. She also has a high ceiling offensively and I look forward to watching her develop at the collegiate level."
Name: Lauren Kelly • Position: Middle Blocker • High School: Bentonville
Prep Highlights: Helped lead team to 6A West conference and state title as a senior ... AP Scholar ... Outstanding Engineering Student.
// "Lauren finished her high school career with a state championship in the 6A tournament with Bentonville. She has a very solid skillset, is an excellent blocker and has very smart offensive game. She will be a significant presence in the front row."
Name: Haylie McCutchen • Position: Setter • High School: Homeschool
Prep Highlights: Helped squad capture 5A Gold national title ... named All-Tournament four consecutive seasons, including MVP as a junior ... averaged career-high 9.9 assists per set as a senior ... career .921 service average.
// "Hailey is an excellent setter who can run both a 5-1 or 6-2 offense. She finished a very successful high school career with a state championship in Oklahoma. She has also played for some of the top club programs in Oklahoma. Hailey will outwork anyone on the court and is a highly competitive player."
Name: Kelli Nelson • Position: Setter • High School: Blue Valley
Prep Highlights: Presidential Award for Academic Excellence ... Kansas State Scholar ... National Honors Society.
// "Kelli was a setter for Blue Valley High School, a perennial top program. She has run both 5-1 and 6-2 offenses. Kelli can also play defensive specialist, which will be an asset in the back row."
Name: Joanna Norwood • Position: Outside Hitter • High School: Homeschool
Prep Highlights: Set single-match career high with 27 terminations ... piled up over 1,383 kills during career ... served up 418 career aces ... named National Christian Homeschool Championship All-American ... helped team to 2019 NCHC national title.
// "Joanna is another Siloam Springs product who was a leader on the local Net Force team. She was selected to the All-American team her senior year. Joanna is a middle blocker who can also play both pin positions."
Name: Skylar Robbins • Position: Outside Hitter • High School: Lutheran South Academy
Prep Highlights: Posted 25 digs in career single-match high ... notched 10 aces in a single match ... named to All-District second team ... Academic All-State ... Scholar-Athlete honors.
// "Skyler is an excellent volleyball player. She has the ability to be a six-rotation player and will be leaned on to anchor the outside hitter position. Skyler is another very athletic player whose offense and ability to pass will be a great asset. She will also run track at JBU and was a Texas high jump state champion."
Name: Brittney Ware • Position: Defensive Specialist • High School: Heritage
Prep Highlights: Posted single-match career highs with 32 digs and five aces ... freshman MVP ... Academic Excellence award ... Heritage Scholar.
// "Brittney comes to us after a very successful career at Heritage High School. She is an excellent libero and will be called on to anchor our back row. Brittney has a great feel for the game and reads very well. Her energy and athleticism will be a great asset for the team. Brittney has also coached for Club Net in Rogers, which will only help the team with her strong leadership."
Name: Brooklyn Woods • Position: Outside Hitter • High School: Claremore Christian
Prep Highlights: Helped team to 1A state runner-up finish ... named to All Tournament list three consecutive seasons ... selected to All-State team as a senior ... Athlete of the Year ... 4.0 Award.
// "Brooklyn is a right side hitter that helped lead her high school team to the state quarterfinals her senior year. She will be asked to help anchor the right side position."
