Ahead of the 2022 season, Arkansas volleyball head coach Brian Gerwig announced Monday that seven players will be added to the fold.
The Red Wolves’ contract class includes five freshmen and two Division I transfers, strengthening Gerwig’s starting roster at the helm of the program.
Jonesboro native Clara Parker brings a versatile skill set to A-State’s roster that can play both as an outside hitter and as a defensive specialist. Parker returns to his hometown after spending his two seasons in Arkansas. She helped her JHS achieve her three state titles (2016, 2018, 2019) and runner-up (2017), and in 2018 and 2019 she was named Gatorade Player of the Year. She was named an Under Armor She All-American Honorable Mention.
Yazmyn Billings is the first signer of five high school students from Atlanta. A middle blocker, Kip He prepared at Atlanta College Eight High School while playing club volleyball for his club Atlanta Performance Volleyball. In 2022, Billings was his team captain for the Atlanta Performance.
Originally from Rodgers, Arkansas, Abby Harris joined the Red Wolves after a stellar preparatory career at Rogers High School. The right-wing hitter earned over 200 kills, over 250 assists, and over 50 blocks combined as a senior before earning his team MVP twice and being named his All-Star in the West in 2021. I was.
Outside hitter Bailey Hertzer enters his freshman season after an illustrious career at Oakland Craig High School in Nebraska, where he recorded 1,614 kills, 1,230 digs, 215 blocks and 164 aces. She was all-state selected as a senior after completing 521 kills.
Sara Martinez joins the Red Wolves after spending two seasons with Houston. Defensively, his specialist helped the Cougars to his 2020-21 AAC West Division title, taking Houston to his 25-7 record last season. After playing all 75 sets in the 2021 spring season, she recorded a total of 70 digs in the 62 sets she played the previous season.
Twins Maddie and Kayla Wiersema round out the class after a stellar multisport career at West Michigan Christian. Originally from Fremont, Michigan, both were all-state selections. Right-field hitter Maddie set school records for blocks in a season (158) and his one game (11). Middle blocker Kyra scored over 1,000 kills during his tenure, earning him three all-state honors.
A-State kicks off the season at home on Friday, August 26, hosting Mississippi Valley State and St. Louis on day one of the A-State Invitational inside First National Bank Arena. The Red Wolves then wrap up the season opener against in-state rivals Little Rock on Saturday, August 27.
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