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New volleyball additions
WIU Athletics

Leathernecks make additions to volleyball roster

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Starr announces six new players

Western Illinois volleyball coach Dale Starr announced the signing of several new players to the Leatherneck program for this season.
In total, Starr added six new faces, two freshmen and four transfers, to his roster.
The newest additions to the recruiting class join Grace Kremer, who signed last fall.
"We feel we have put together a really good recruiting class that met our needs for our team as we begin the process of changing the trajectory and outlook for this program," Starr said. "I am thrilled with each one of these additions to our program, and I think we are going to have a really competitive group in the fall. They all come from successful high school, club and university programs, and they are all competitors. Fans and supporters will be pleased with the product we put forward this fall as we begin a new era of Leatherneck Volleyball!"
 
Julianna Scmidt | 6-0 | Middle Blocker | Brookfield, Wisconsin | So.
Julianna Schmidt joins the Leathernecks after transferring from McNeese State.
The middle blocker is a native of Brookfield, Wisconsin where she was a two-year letterwinner.
Schmidt will be a two-sport athlete at Western Illinois, suiting up for the Leatherneck track and field program as well.
"Julianna comes to us from McNeese State where she competed for playing time as a middle blocker," Starr said. "She was also a member of the track and field team at McNeese, and will compete for our track and field team at WIU as well. Julianna brings us experience from training at the D1 level, and will look to compete for playing time right away as a middle blocker."
 
Grace Nichols | 5-10 | Middle Blocker | Lincoln, Nebraska | So.
Nichols comes to Western Illinois after a season playing for Lamar.
At Lamar, she appeared in 88 sets, compiling 118 kills and 43 blocks.
A three-sport standout at Lincoln Southeast High School, Nichols will provide a punch to WIU's attack.
""Grace comes to us with a year of experience at the Division 1 level and knows what it takes to compete at the D1 level," Starr said. "She is a versatile MB who is athletic and has a knack for being able to find a way to score. She is dynamic behind the setter and has a tremendous work ethic. She will compete for playing time from the start of fall camp." 
 
Ella Godsell | 5-8 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Philo, Illinois | So.
Godsell brings a wealth of success to Western Illinois, transferring after playing with the NJCAA Champions, Parkland Junior College.
As a freshman, Godsell was an NJCAA All-Academic All American-First Team member.
"Ella brings great experience and depth to our DS/L position," Starr said. "Being on a team that played in 2 National Championship matches and won a national title gives her great experience in big matches. She brings a winning attitude and has a great volleyball IQ. Ella will give us great depth and compete for playing time for us."
 
Hailey Sperling | 5-10 | Outside hitter | Minooka, Illinois | So.
Sperling also brings a winning tradition to Western Illinois, teaming up with Godsell at Parkland.
As a freshman, she was NJCAA All-Region 24 1st team and All-MWAC First Team.
"Hailey will bring us great experience and depth at the outside hitter position," Starr said. "Being on a team that went to 2 National Championship matches and won one will only help make our practice gym more competitive. I expect Hailey to compete for playing time at the outside hitter position."
 
Elizabeth Ziegler | 6-2 | Right side/Outside Hitter | Sandusky, Ohio | Fr.
Ziegler comes to Macomb after a well-decorated high school career.
A four-team letterwinner and two-time all-conference and all-district member, Ziegler will give WIU added strength up front.
She was also a second-team all state player as a senior and honorable mention all state as a junior.
Ziegler also exceled in the classroom, compiling a 4.25 GPA while serving as class secretary.
"Elizabeth brings us great size and physicality," Starr said. "She is very diverse and can play middle blocker, outside hitter or right side. Her ability to play every position along the net will only help our depth and our ability to adjust to injuries/illnesses and continue to be competitive. I look for big things from Elizabeth."
 
Taylor Wagner | 5-7 | Defensive specialist/Outside Hitter | Plymouth, Illinois | Fr.
Wagner joins Western Illinois after a successful high school career at Southeastern High School.
Wagner was part of a Southeastern squad that finished runner-up in the Class 1A state tournament this past fall.
She finished the year with 339 kills and 252 digs.
"Taylor comes to us locally from Southeastern High School and will be a great addition to our gym," Starr said. "Her mother is a WIU alum and former volleyball player for the Leathernecks, and we are excited to keep the tradition going for the Wagner family. Taylor is very athletic and plays much bigger than her 5'7" frame. She will compete for playing time at the OH position, as well as the DS/L positions."
 
 
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