Sierra Bauder • Fr. • 6'1" • M/RS
Phoenix, Ariz. (Scottsdale Christian Academy)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Was named the team's 'Outstanding Offensive Player' and team MVP... Selected as a Second Team All-Section, All-Division, and All-State honoree... Hit at a .329 clip while serving at a 94% success rate as a senior.
PERSONAL:Â Chose Western Illinois, "because of the great people and the small college town feel. I loved the girls on the team and knew I wanted to go to Western Illinois and continue playing volleyball!"
Coach Richardson on Bauder:
"Sierra is a player who will bring depth, and consistency to our offense this coming fall. She has experience in the middle, and on the pins, so she will have the ability to address our immediate offensive needs." |
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Danni Bristow • So. • 6'2" • M/OH
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (St. Joseph HS/Louisiana Tech)
Danni Bristow joines Western Illinois after transferring from Louisiana Tech where she appeared in 14 matches, making 7 starts... Recorded 29 kills on the season while adding 26 assist blocks... Also collected 2 assists and 5 digs.
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Was awarded team MVP her senior year while also being named team Rookie of the Year in 2010... Was a member of her high school team that placed second in the City Finals... Her club team claimed a first and second place Provincial title.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Donald and Susan Bristow... Chose Western because, "I believe that the program is going in a positive direction and that I can contribute to that development. I felt welcomed by everyone at the school and I am excited to make Western Illinois my new home!"
Coach Richardson on Bristow:
"Danni has the ability to play any position on the front row. She also has solid ball control skills that will allow her to make an impact defensively as well. Danni brings strength and consistency to our offense this fall, and also has Division I court experience."
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Morgyn Bullock • Fr. • 5'6" • DS
Elkhart, Iowa (North Polk HS)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Earned four varsity letters while at North Polk High School... Was named a First Team All-Conference Honorable Mention as well as a Second Team All-Conference selection while in high school... Broke five program records over the course of the past two seasons.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Troy and Melissa Bullock... Chose Western because, "I instantly fell in love with the campus! I'm from a small town and Macomb has that small town feel that I'm used to which makes it feel like home."
Coach Richardson on Bullock:
"Morgyn will be another important piece to our defense this fall. She has solid ball control skills that can contribute to many places on our back row. She also brings a competitive drive we need in our defense this season"
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Emilee Dechant • So. • 6'2" • M/RS
Hutchinson, Kan. (Trinity Catholic HS/Louisiana Tech)
Emilee Dechant joins Western Illinois after transferring from Louisiana Tech where she appeared in 24 matches, making 21 starts... Finished the season with 70 kills and 64 total blocks (9 solo, 55 assist)... Also recorded 17 digs and 2 service aces on the year.
HIGH SCHOOL:  Named to the Haven All-Tournament team for four consecutive years... Earned all-league honors three years and all-state twice at Trinity Catholic... Totaled 201 blocks as a senior to go along with 325 kills, 39 service aces and 102 digs... Coached by Jan Frieb and Deanna Helten... Lettered in both volleyball (4) and track (2) in high school... Member of the Key Club and Handmaids of Mary... Also played for ICT Elite and ICT MAVS volleyball clubs.
PERSONAL: Full name is Emilee Rawn Dechant... Born March 23, 1996 in Hutchinson, Kan.... Daughter of Brian and Jyl Dechant... Has two siblings, Paige and Drew... Mother played college volleyball at Pratt CC... Father played college football at Pratt CC... Chose Western because, "Western Illinois University seems to have a very supportive and tight knit community surrounding it. I was impressed by the athletic and academic programs, and feel they will help me achieve my goals in the classroom as well as in volleyball. I am very excited to be part of the WIU family!"
Coach Richardson on Dechant:
"Emilee has experience in the middle and right side. She will bring a big presence at the net defensively, and also has the ability to impact our floor offensively. Emilee will bring consistency to our front row, and will also bring Division I court experience to our team."
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Shaela Gray • Fr. • 5'10" • OH/RS
Fontana, Calif. (Upland HS)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Was named team captain her senior season... Voted as team MVP following the season... Tabbed as a Second Team All-League and Academic All-Baseline League honoree.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Shaneeka Anderson and Larry Gray... Chose Western because, "of their well-known Criminal Justice program, the pride the students took in the school, and the fact that I can see myself there for the next four years. I would also like to be a part of the rebuilding of Western's volleyball program."
Coach Richardson on Gray:
"Shaela will bring experience from both pins to our floor this fall. She is a big jumper, and plays well above the net. Shaela also brings the ability to play 6 rotations, and make an impact both offensively and defensively."Â
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Kate Hickey • Fr. • 5'6" • DS
DeKalb, Ill. (DeKalb HS)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Earned two letters in volleyball as an outside hitter... Garnered All-Conference Honorable Mention and Academic All-Conference team honors... Team captain her senior year... A two-sport athlete as she earned three varsity letters in soccer... Named First Team All-Area selection while also being selected as an All-Conference Honorable Mention... Varsity captain and was named to the Academic All-Conference Team.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Pat and Kari Hickey... Chose Western because, "I love the size of the campus and everyone around. It is also unique in that I can achieve my dream of becoming a nurse while playing at a high level of volleyball! I felt at home right away when I was on campus and am excited to be a part of the Leatherneck volleyball family!"
Coach Richardson on Hickey:
"Kate brings more consistency to our defense this fall. She has a solid platform, and will elevate our ball control. Kate also has the ability to fill multiple rolls in our defense this season."Â
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Lexi Kolschefski • Fr. • 6'3" • M
La Habra, Calif. (La Habra HS)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â As a senior, she earned MVP honors of the Freeway League while also being named to the Beach Cities Invitational All-Tournament Team... Was the team's MVP in her junior and senior seasons... Named the fall Female Scholar Athlete of the Year as senior by the La Habra Rotary Club... In her junior campaign, she was named to the first team of the Freeway League... Â Her 18U club team finished first at the USA Pacific Northwest Qualifier... Kolschefski's 17U team placed ninth at the Las Vegas Classic in the Open Division while finishing first at the USA LA Qualifier.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Darwin and Michelle Kolschefski... Chose Western because "I was interested in schools with a justice program and Western has the best program in Illinois. Both of the coaches made me feel extremely welcome and the campus was beautiful."
Coach Richardson on Kolschefski:
"Lexi will bring height, and power to our front line. She is a strong block, and has the ability to hit a variety of sets in a fast pace offense. She is a true student of the game, and is constantly looking for ways to improve her play."Â
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Krishna Merriman • Jr. • 6'1" • OH/M
Neosho, Mo. (Pierce City HS/Missouri Southern State)
Krishna Merriman joins Western Illinois after transferring from Missouri Southern State where she played for the past two seasons, appeared in 57 matches while starting 48 matches... Compiled 481 kills and 90 total blocks in two years of action... As a sophomore, Merriman collected 240 digs while registering 15 service aces as a freshman.
HIGH SCHOOL:Â A three-year starter for the Eagles and coach Allison Davis, Merriman was an All-State selection after being named the Spring River Valley Conference Player of the Year ... She helped the Eagles to a district title and a 22-10 overall record her senior year... The team won a District and Sectional Championship and finished the season in the State Quarterfinals ... She was also named first-team All-Conference, All-District and All-Region ... As a junior, she was a first-team All-Conference and All-District selection, while being named honorable mention All-Region ... Also a standout on the basketball court, as well as a member of the track and field team, Merriman was a first-team All-conference selection in basketball as a junior ... She was part of a state champion 4x200m relay team as a junior, and placed sixth in the 400m.Â
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Buffy and Rick Merriman... Chose Western because, "the school was incredible and it's a fresh start for me. I'm also incredibly excited to be on the volleyball team!"
Coach Richardson on Merriman:
"Krishna has the ability to fill multiple roles in the front row. She has a big block, and a heavy arm. Her experience as a 6 rotation player also makes her a defensive threat on the back row."Â
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Melanie Patenaude • Fr. • 5'10" • OH
Aurora, Colo. (Cherry Creek HS)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Was named an All-Tournament Player all four years of high school... Was a First Team All-Conference, All-League, and All-State player in 5A as a senior... Awarded team MVP honors as a freshman and a junior... Garnered Academic All-State recognition as a junior and senior... Played club volleyball for Front Range where she qualified for nationals as senior... In her senior year of high school, she played in 98 matches and recorded 332 kills, 107 digs, and 34 blocks.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Alain and Angela Patenaude... Chose Western because, "I love the campus size and number of students. The dorms are really nice as well. I've always wanted to play Division I volleyball on scholarship and I have that opportunity at Western Illinois."
Coach Richardson on Patenaude:
"Melanie will bring a great amount of focus and competitiveness to our program this fall. She is a player who works hard all the time, and is always looking to improve. She is an aggressive 6 rotation player who can help us both offensively and defensively."
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Shiah Sanders • Fr. • 6'0" • OH/RS
Plymouth, Minn. (Osseo HS)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Selected to the Wisconsin Showcase all-tournmanet team... Named to the NWSC All-Conference and All-Section teams... Ranked as a top-50 underclass player... Three time All-Conference Honorable Mention.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Clark and Robby Sanders... Chose Western Illinois because, "I loved the coaching staff, but most of all I fell in love with the campus and Macomb. The culture and diversity there is unlike any other!"
Coach Richardson on Sanders:
"Shiah is a 6 rotation player who can make an impact on either pin this fall. She is high energy, and elevates the play of those around her. Shiah is able to contribute in multiple ways, and will bring consistency to our floor this fall."
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Kaili Simmons • Jr. • 5'9" • L/DS
El Dorado Springs, Mo. (Eldorado Springs HS/MSU West Plains)
Kailli Simmons joins Western Illinois after transferring from Missouri State - West Plains where she played the past two seasons... As a sophomore, Simmons was named an Honorable Mention-All Region selection... Collected 715 career digs and 129 kills in two seasons at MSU - West Plains.
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Named First Team All-District (2010, '11, '12), All-Region (2011, '12), and All-State (2012) during her career at El Dorado Springs High School... Also earned Second Team All-District (2009) and All-Region (2010) honors... Honorable Mention All-State selection in 2011... Awarded team MVP title in 2010, 2011, and 2012... Named to the Academic All-State team all four seasons... After her freshman season was named a KESM Rising Star.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Ronnie and Sherri Simmons... Chose Western because, "I wanted a quality education while having the opportunity to play the game I love at the Division I level."
Coach Richardson on Simmons:
"Kaili will be the foundation of our defense this fall. She has solid ball control skills, and strong leadership ability. Kaili will help bring consistency to our defense, and brings a wealth of volleyball IQ to our floor."Â
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Abby Skryd • Fr. • 5'8" • S
Naperville, Ill. (Neuqua Valley HS)
HIGH SCHOOL:Â Helped lead team to program-best record of 23-10... Played club volleyball for Sports Performance... Club team claimed the Presidents Day Challenge Championship where she was named to the All-Tournament Team.
PERSONAL:Â Daughter of Chris and Martha Skryd... Chose Western because, "I am excited for the future of Western's volleyball program and to be working with the amazing new coaching staff. It also feels like a place that I will be able to learn and grow as a person while I am there."
Coach Richardson on Skryd:
"Abby will bring a much needed consistency to our floor in the setting roll this fall. She has trained in one of the top volleyball clubs in the country, and has a very high volleyball IQ. Abby is able to run our offense efficiently and precisely."Â
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