(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)
Missouri Southern volleyball coach
Kalie Mader has announced the addition of seven players to finalize the 2021 roster. The list includes five high school players and two Division I transfers.
What I admire most about this class is they all have an intense passion for the game, love to be in the gym and will continue to pour their hearts into MSSU volleyball," Mader said. "It's going to be fun to watch them bring depth, skill, and competitiveness to our gym. Additionally, I am excited to see how we can help each of them grow."
Below are short bios of each incoming player and Coach Mader's take on each of them.
Francesca Enna - Enna originally signed with Division I South Dakota State where she redshirted ... Enna prepped at Staley High School where she had 359 digs and 36 aces as a senior ... She was a two-time Academic All-State honoree and a member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Mader Says - Frankie is a determined player with excellent communication skills and we are excited to add more depth to our backrow.
Josey Goldberg - Goldberg prepped at Pea Ridge High School where she played volleyball and basketball for the Blackhawks ... On the volleyball court, Goldberg was a four-year letter winner for coach Jessica Woods where she finished her career with over 1,000 kills and digs ... Goldberg was a four-time All-Conference and All-State selection ... On the basketball court, Goldberg was a two-time letter winner as a forward.
Coach Mader Says - Josey is a very skilled player with lots of experience. I really think she will add finesse to our pin hitters.
Emily-Kate Lonergan - Lonergan prepped at Blue Valley High School where she lettered in both volleyball and track and field for coaches Dave Johnson (volleyball) and Andrew Reeves (track and field) ... On the volleyball court, Lonergan was an All-Conference pick as a senior where she helped the team to a State Championship ... In track and field, Lonergan was an All-State selection as a senior, finishing fifth in the triple jump at the Kansas 6A State Championships.
Coach Mader Says - I am so excited to have EK in the gym. Her passion for the game is unmatched and her versatility will serve our team in more ways than one.
Avery Lanning - Lanning was a two-year letter winner in both volleyball and track and field at Har-Ber High School ... On the volleyball court, Lanning played for coach Cassie Loyd ... Playing for the Ozark Juniors Club Team, Lanning led the team in digs in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons ... On the track, Lanning ran the hurdles, while also throwing the shot put and discus for coach Chris Clinton ... She placed fifth at the state meet as a sophomore in the shot put.
Coach Mader Says - Avery is a fantastic player and teammate, with a love for the game. I am excited to add her depth to our roster for 2021.
Irina Alekseeva - Alekseeva transfers to Southern from East Tennessee State University ... Alekseeva did not play at ETSU due to Covid-19 and transferred to ETSU from Dayton where she redshirted her junior season ... Prior to Dayton, Alekseeva was a two-year starter at Iowa Western Community College where she finished her career with 997 kills and a 3.56 kills per set average and a .288 hitting percentage ... She was an NJCAA All-American in 2017 and 2018 while leading her team in kills each season, finishing in the top ten in kills nationally each year ... Also an All-Region selection at IWCC, she led the team to a third-place national finish in 2018, while leading the team in kills, assists and aces ... She was twice named the National Player of the Week in 2018, while earning a conference player of the week honor seven times. High School - Alekseeva prepped at Beacon High School in Beacon New York where she earned four varsity letters under head coach Ron Gapliaro ... Alekseeva was also a member of The School of Olympic Reserve in Russia.
Coach Mader Says - Irina brings a lot of high level experience to our gym and a competitive mentality that will allow us to continue to grow.
Bonnie Hegarty - Hegarty prepped at Manhattan High School where she was a letter winner in volleyball and track and field for the Indians ... On the volleyball court, Hegarty was a two-time All-Conference selection, earning three varsity letters in the process for coach Krista Skucius ... Hegarty finished her senior season with an attack average of .472.
Coach Mader Says - Bonnie is such a hard worker, her skill, her will and her mentality will be great to add to what we already have.
Jillian Kennedy - Kennedy prepped at Carl Junction High School where she was a three-time letter winner for coach Cheryl Sharples, as well as lettering in track and field, throwing the javelin ... on the volleyball court, Kennedy helped the Bulldogs to a pair of District Championships, including a 24-7 record her senior season ... She was a two-time All-District and All-Conference selection, while earning three Academic All-State honors ... Over her junior and senior seasons, Kennedy finished with 38 blocks, 298 kills and 55 aces.
Coach Mader Says - Jillian is not only a hard-worker but a versatile player, her presence will be a wonderful add to our gym.
The Lions open up the 2021 season on September 3 and 4 when Southern will play in the Drury Invitational in Springfield.
