PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State volleyball program, under the direction of Head Coach Jen Greeny, added one of the best recruiting classes in the nation in 2015, according to PrepVolleyball.com. The Cougars’ six incoming freshmen are listed as the 21st-overall incoming class in the country. The honor marks the second time in three seasons that Washington State’s incoming class has been recognized as a top-30 recruiting class by PrepVolleyball.com, having the 14th-best recruiting class of 2013.
The Cougar volleyball incoming class for 2015 includes Olivia Coale, a 5-6 defensive specialist from Vancouver, Wash., Haley DeSales, a 6-0 outside hitter from Pasadena, Calif., Ella Lajos, a 6-3 middle blocker from San Jose, Calif., Claire Martin, a 6-4 middle blocker from Tacoma, Wash., Taylor Mims, a 6-3 middle blocker from Billings, Mont., and McKenna Woodford, a 6-4 outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz.
“We feel very fortunate to have these talented young women choose Washington State to play their collegiate volleyball careers,” said Greeny. “This 2015 class is worthy of their ranking. We believe the upside is tremendous with this group and are excited to start working with them every day on the court.
“Besides their playing ability, we feel all of these players have such high character and are the type of people you want to surround yourself with,” Greeny continued. “A big credit goes to their parents and support group which extends to teachers, coaches, and mentors who have instilled such strong values.”
According to PrepVolleyball.com, the Cougars ranked No. 17 in recruiting class rankings from 2013-15, which includes two classes ranked among the Top 21 (No. 14 in 2013/No. 21 in 2015) and the third (2014) garnering honorable mention accolades. This while competing in the strongest volleyball conference (Pac-12) in the country, with eight teams ranked in the Top 30 and seven in the Top 21.
John Tawa, CEO of PrepVolleyball.com, described the Cougars’ incoming class as one of the most physical in Greeny’s tenure at Washington State. With two prep All-Americans, the 2015 recruiting class is a sign of good things to come for Washington State.
“We will go from being the smallest team in the Pac-12 to be one of the most physical. This will allow us to affect the game at the net more than ever before,” said Greeny.
Woodford, an Under Armour High School All-American, was listed at No. 62 on PrepVolleyball.com’s top 100 players in the country. She plays a power game but blends in strong passing skills as well. Mims, also named an Under Armour High School All-American, sits at No. 80 on PrepVolleyball.com’s top 100 and possesses tremendous athletic ability within her game. With two incoming freshman on the PrepVolleyball.com top 100, the Cougars’ 2015 roster with feature four top-100 players, as junior Kyra Holt (2013) and sophomore Casey Schoenlein (2014) were also named to PrepVolleyball.com’s list as high school players.
Martin will grow to be a force in the middle with great blocking ability while Lajos has a fluid arm swing with the ability to run well off of one foot, according to PrepVolleyball.com. DeSales is described as having a high volleyball IQ and as one of the elite attackers nationally in her class and Coale has shown flashes of being a quality passer and defensive player.
