ROCK HILL, SC - Winthrop head volleyball coach, Chuck Rey, has announced the addition of six freshmen to the 2020 roster.
 
"As we enter our third year of recruiting for Winthrop Volleyball, our goal is to continually seek student-athletes that will embrace and grow the positive and encouraging culture our current team members proudly cultivate." Rey said.
 
The incoming class includes Isabel Schaefbauer, Brookelynn Thomas, Alicia Davis, Madison Gorniak, Olivia Blackketter and Emma Ann Lay.
 

Isabel Schaefbauer | Setter | 5'9" | Normal, IL

Isabel Schaefbauer, a three year high school captain, led her team to an Illinois State Championship Final Four appearance in her senior season and was named Area Volleyball Player of the Year. Schaefbauer comes from a high-level background with many years at the top levels of USA Volleyball's High Performance program along with a highly competitive Illini Elite juniors club.   Coach Rey on Schaefbauer: "Isabel is a confident, passionate, and self-driven leader. She lives life with purpose and sets her own course. This was made obvious by her choosing to graduate high school a semester early and start at Winthrop the beginning of this past spring semester. We quickly learned that her volleyball IQ is off the charts, her competitive spirit is infectious, and her ability to lead has already been apparent this past spring. Isabel has the determination to lead the Eagles Volleyball to similar heights."

Brookelynn Thomas | Middle/Opposite | 6'0" | Blythewood, SC

Brookelynn Thomas has high-level experience with the USA Volleyball A1 High Performance Program, played for a top South Carolina juniors club in Rogue, and has received All-Region and All-State honors at Blythewood High School. Thomas' mom, Carmen Thomas, is a Winthrop alumna and had a decorated basketball career as an Eagle.   Coach Rey on Thomas: "Brooke has a wonderful physical prowess and is another next-level athlete on our roster, but it is her fight and heart that defines her. She has an effortless jump, a strong / 'heavy' arm, and is a highly adaptable athlete. Although most of her career has been in the middle position, we have seen Brooke dominate on the right and left antennae. She has the athletic ability to do it all and the intelligence to get it done. We are confident Brooke will humbly challenge her mom's records in her own volleyball ways."

Alicia Davis | Outside | 5'10" | Waxhaw, NC

Alicia Davis led her 2018 team to its first North Carolina State Championship and capped off her high school career as Conference Player of the Year.   Coach Rey on Davis: "High flying, literally flying, Alicia Davis. Alicia has an explosive jump and whippy arm that will allow her to compete on the national stage. But it's all the little things, the unnoticed disciplines, which makes Alicia a great 6 rotation outside hitter. She has a pure 'touch' on the ball in serve receive and a great read of the game to defend better than most liberos. Yet it's her high integrity, positive charisma, and determined confidence that will build trust and bond the team. Alicia is not even close to peaking in her career and will surprise many nationally ranked collegiate programs in the coming years."

Madison Gorniak | Defensive Specialist | 5'5" | South Elgin, IL

Madison Gorniak earned a gold medal at the 2017 AAU National Championship with her Club Fusion juniors team and won a Class 4A Regional Championship with her high school team. Gorniak garnered All-Area honors for her senior season.   Coach Rey on Gorniak: "Grit and determination best describe Maddie. Her work ethic and fearlessness are all qualities you want to have in a libero, yet paired with an infectious smile that brings a calm, cool cohesion on the court. These are a unique and hard to find combination of qualities that help make those around her great. There is no doubt Maddie can 'ball'. She is quick, has a tremendous read on the game, a great platform for serve receive, always covers her hitters, and builds confidence for those hitters. She has a great voice and the ability to lead in her role. She will certainly earn high honors in the Big South Conference as she will challenge for a vacant libero jersey this Fall."

Olivia Blackketter | Middle | 6'2" | Bloomington, IN

Olivia Blackketter spent many seasons with a nationally ranked Circle City juniors club and earned a roster spot on the Indiana High School 3A/4A All-Star Team this past season. She overcame what could have been a career-ending injury in her prime recruiting years and returned stronger than prior to her injury.   Coach Rey on Blackketter: "Olivia is a passionate, confident, and determined young lady that will overachieve. She is an extremely high IQ athlete (Academic All-State High School Team) that will quickly digest the overwhelming amount of scouting information we present to the team. She reads and processes the game well and makes fantastic blocking moves. Her discipline and footwork to the pins is excellent and her offensive vision combined with her fast arm-swing is terminal. Olivia has a laser focus like none-other I have seen. Her injury certainly doesn't define her, it's her resilience and willingness to outwork her competition that does. Olivia has flown under the radar and we are confident she will be on many opponent's radar throughout her career at Winthrop."

Emma Ann Lay | Middle/Opposite | 6'3" | Tabor City, NC

Emma Ann Lay earned Region VI AAA Player of the Year honors for her senior season and played for one of the best clubs in South Carolina – Grand Strand Juniors. Her team won a bronze medal at the 2019 AAU National Championships. Coach Rey on Lay: "Emma has great presence about her, physically and emotionally. Her size will enable us to continue to compete against top RPI opponents and her conviction to prove herself against the best is what drives her. Emma has a fighting spirit that commands the middle of the court and has a will to win that gets the job done. She has a deceivingly quick jump that proves her as a highly ranked blocker and a quick wrist offensively that allows her to cut the ball around opponent blocks. Her work ethic will motivate those around her just as it has throughout her high school career. Emma has a high ceiling and we can't wait to guide her to top honors in the Big South Conference."

The Eagles are coming off a championship season where they posted a 24-5 overall record, going undefeated in conference play. Winthrop went on to defeat Campbell in the Big South Conference championship and made its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2006.
 
Coach Rey was named Big South Coach of the Year for a second consecutive season, while senior Siani Yamiguchi earned Big South Conference Player of the Year honors.
 
"The Eagles Volleyball Alumnae and loyal supporters have been incredible at sharing insight of the program's Championship Tradition to the coaching staff and team, and have helped set expectations and standards of excellence allowing us to achieve championship levels in the classroom and on the court," Rey said. "The incoming class will benefit from established ways, yet bring in their own confidence and enthusiasm to propel the team to our next level mission."