Ten student-athletes are set to join the Lindsey Wilson volleyball program for the upcoming 2015 season, head coach Andy Cavins announced on Thursday.
The signing class includes five transfer student-athletes and five freshmen hailing from Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, Texas, Brazil and the Dominican Republic.
The future Blue Raiders include Maddie Bivens (Providence HS), Grace Blomstedt (Red Oak HS), Jill Book (North Harrison HS), Rebecca Dauenhauer (North Central Texas College), Pamela DeLeon (Labette Community College), Jandra Fabian (Eastern Arizona), Mackenzie Reaves (Holly Springs HS), Caroline Siqueira (West Florida), Candace Timberlake (Syracuse) and Myah Underwood (Oldham County HS).
Dauenhauer, DeLeon, Fabian, Siqueira and Timberlake all transfer to the Blue Raiders for the 2015 season. Siqueira comes to Lindsey Wilson for her final season of eligibility, Dauenhauer, DeLeon and Timberlake each have two seasons and Fabian has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Dauenhauer is a six foot right-side hitter from Springtown, Texas. She comes from North Central Texas College where she was an all-conference performer.
“Rebecca has the task of replacing four-year starter Sarah Anderson on the right side and it is a task we know she is ready to embrace,” Cavins said. “She comes from one of the stronger junior college programs in the country and has the rare ability to play six rotations on the right side.”
DeLeon and Fabian both come to Lindsey Wilson to join a familiar face, fellow Dominican Junior National Team member and current Blue Raider Yeniffer Ramirez.
Deleon is a 5-11 outside hitter from La Vega, Dominican Republic, and Fabian is a six-foot middle blocker from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
“Pamela has impressive ball control both offensively and defensively and hits an extremely heavy ball on the outside,” Cavins said. “She comes to us after two seasons at Labette Community College so she is familiar with a fast-paced offensive game.”
Fabian joins Lindsey Wilson from Eastern Arizona College where she earned Defensive Player of the Year and conference Most Valuable Player honors.
“Jandra will provide us with the best compilation of middles that we have had during my time here at Lindsey Wilson,” Cavins said. “She is long, explosive, and a tough athlete that is ready to make an instant and noticeable impression both offensively and on the defensive side with her blocking abilities.”
Siqueira, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, comes from NCAA Division II power West Florida. The six-foot outside hitter also previously attended Northeastern Junior College where she was an NJCAA All-American. She picked up numerous awards from her outside hitter position, including all-region, all-tournament and player of the year honors.
“Caroline is a true, six-rotation player and possesses power that can rival anyone in the country. We expect her to replace the production lost from graduating NAIA All-American Nadelina Nesheva,” Cavins said. “We expect her final season of eligibility to be her best and we look forward to seeing her dominate in the Mid-South Conference.”
Timberlake, a five-foot-one libero, comes to the Blue Raiders from NCAA Division I member Syracuse (N.Y.). Originally from New Albany, Indiana, Timberlake is one of multiple members of the UNION club volleyball team joining the Blue Raiders in 2015.
During her sophomore season at Syracuse in 2013, Timberlake appeared in 29 matches for the Orange and recorded 134 digs, including a season-high 18 digs against Florida International. She also recorded double-digit digs against Miami (Fla.) (12) and No. 2-ranked powerhouse Penn State (Pa.) (11).
“Candace joined our program this spring and is expected to challenge for the libero position next fall,” Cavins said. “She has provided instant leadership having played in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Syracuse. Candace possesses impressive work ethic and carries herself with inherent confidence that will be vital as we push towards a national championship.”
Bivens, Blomstedt, Book, Reaves and Underwood all join Lindsey Wilson for their first collegiate volleyball season. Bivens is a two-time state champion defensive specialist from Sellersburg, Ind. Her Providence High School team won the Indiana Class 2A State Title her junior and senior seasons, also finishing as the state runner-up as a sophomore. Bivens earned Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention honors two seasons and was selected to the Class 2A All-Star Team. The four-time honor roll member is also a member of the UNION club volleyball team.
“Maddie is capable of playing multiple defensive positions while still providing offense with her size and athleticism. She will serve as an integral part of our lineup for the coming years,” Cavins said.
Blomstedt is a six-foot-two middle blocker from Red Oak, Iowa, where she was a four-time varsity letterman in both volleyball and basketball at Red Oak High School. She earned second-team all-conference honors three times, Iowa Class 3A All-State Honorable Mention Honors twice, and Class 3A All-State Second-Team Honors her senior season. Blomstedt is a four-year honor roll student-athlete and a two-time National Honor Society member.
“Grace brings imposing size to our program and is a player that we envision blossoming quickly in our program,” Cavins said. “She comes from one of the best high school programs in Iowa and was a three-sport star, including volleyball, basketball and tennis, notching over 1,000 kills in volleyball and 1,000 points on the basketball court. Grace was recruited by multiple top 10 programs throughout the country and we are excited to see her develop with all of her energy focused on volleyball.”
Book, a five-foot-six defensive specialist, comes from North Harrison High School in Ramsey, Ind., where she was also a multiple-sport athlete in volleyball and basketball.
Book has been an all-conference performer twice, led her high school team in assists and serving percentage and named the team MVP as a senior. She is a four-year honor roll student and another product of the UNION club team.
“Jill was a setter for her high school team as well as being the starting point guard on the basketball team. She has been focusing on playing defense her senior year and will be competing for our libero roll as a freshman,” Cavins said. “She comes from one of the top club teams in the country at UNION under coach Stephanie Cantway and we have no doubt that she will be ready both physically and mentally to compete every day.”
Reaves joins the Blue Raiders from Holly Springs, N.C. The five-foot-eight setter is a four time varsity letterman and team captain and earned all-conference honors all four seasons at Holly Springs High School.
“Mackenzie was our first committed recruit for this class. She is an exceptional athlete and a natural leader that has played at an extremely high level for her club team NC Elite out of Raleigh, N.C.,” Cavins said. “The combination of Mackenzie and Makenzie Montano will provide our program with arguably the best setting duo in the NAIA.”
Underwood is a middle blocker from Oldham County High School in Buckner, Ky. She has earned all-district tournament team honors, and been named team captain and MVP. The 5-10 freshman is another member of the UNION club team.
“Myah is a truly gifted athlete and will rival Yeniffer Ramirez for the best vertical on the team. We are relying on her to come in and provide instant offense to our middle position to help replace the offense lost due to graduating senior Sarah Shilling,” Cavins said. “Myah is a UNION club team member and will be expected to bring that high level of play and success to the Blue Raider program next season.
