SPRINGFIELD, Ohio-- Wittenberg University volleyball Head Coach Paco Labrador announces the addition of six high school standouts that have declared their intent to play for the nationally ranked volleyball team this Fall. They will be members of Wittenberg's Class of 2021 and will begin their career as Tigers in the Fall of 2017.
Newest additions to the Tiger family for the 2017-2018 school year include, Gabi Hancock, Haley Horner, Julie Jakse, Anna Kessler, Cora Lutz, and Lexie Weithman.
Hancock is a 6'0 senior middle hitter at Vincennes High School, in Vincennes, Indiana. In her time there she has been a two-sport athlete, a member of NHS, senior student council president, and a member of various clubs. On the court she has garnered offensive and defensive player of the year, along with All-Conference and All- Area honors.
"We like to recruit players that are highly successful both on and off the court, and who are involved in many activities that help grow them as individuals," Labrador said. "Her dedication to the game is inarguable. She drove over 2 hours, 3 nights a week to get the best training she possibly can. At 6'0 she brings great size and athleticism to our middle hitter position."
Horner is a 6'4 senior right-side hitter from Wheaton North High School in Wheaton, Illinois. A three-year varsity starter and senior captain, Horner led the Falcons to a 30-8 record, the best in school history, along with the first regional championship in 14 years. Horner earned three years of All- Conference honors and was named to the 2016 All- Area team. Horner is a four-year academic All- Conference award recipient, along with being a member of both the Math and Spanish honor society at her school.
"Haley will put up a huge block for us and her versatility gives us great depth in several positions. She has been competing against the highest-level teams in the country for the last five months, and we believe she is more than ready to make an impact for us this Fall," Labrador said.
Jakse is a 5'7 senior libero at Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, Ohio. After an impressive state runner-up finish in 2015, Julie helped her team to an 18-7 record this season and was named defensive MVP. She received first team All- Conference, was named conference scholar-athlete, and was second team All-District honors.
"Julie has a contagious personality, that brings positivity and energy to her teams," Labrador said. "She has been in a lot of 'big ball' and is more than ready to jump right in to the speed of the college game."
A Centerville High School senior, Kessler joins the Tigers after helping the Elks to a 20-4 record and a district championship. As a 5'5 defensive specialist, she has played an invaluable role towards helping her team succeed. Alongside her high school career, Kessler has also played high level club volleyball for Elite VBTC, out of Plain City, Ohio.
"Anna is very similar to our other defensive specialists here at Witt. She is quick, athletic and willing to do whatever it takes to be the best player she can be," Labrador said. "She is a local talent that has been around our camps for years and is very passionate about Wittenberg volleyball. Anna comes from a great high school program where she filled a variety of roles for her team."
Lutz is a 5'10 senior outside hitter at Celina High School, in Celina, Ohio. As a senior captain she helped lead her team to a 17-9 record, a conference championship, a district championship, and a sweet 16 appearance. She also earned third team All-Conference honors. A two-year member of NHS, Cora carries a cumulative 3.8 GPA, and has plans to major in Biology.
"Cora is an exceptionally hard worker, a strong trait we look for in all of our recruits. She has proven she can get it done as a student and an athlete," Labrador said. "We are very excited to start working with Cora, she comes from a strong high school that has won some big matches over the years."
Wrapping up the class of 2021, Weithman, a 5'6 senior libero at Olentangy High School helped the Braves to a 17-5 record and a district championship this Fall. On September 26th, she broke the school record and posted a career-high 47 digs in a match against powerhouse St. Francis DeSales. She was a senior captain and received second team All-District honors. While excelling on the court, Lexie shines in the classroom as well. As a three-year scholar-athlete, she will be graduating magna cum laude caring a 3.9 cumulative GPA.
"We have had our eye on Lexie for quite some time now, she plays at a very high level, against some of the best teams in the country, and has received great training," Labrador said. "My assistant coach, Evelyn Carus, has been coaching her since she was a sophomore, so we know her work ethic and competitive nature will fit in to our program seamlessly."
The Tigers finished the 2016 season with a 22-6 record and ended the season nationally ranked in the top 25 of Division III. Wittenberg has won 19 of the last 20 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season championships with an 11-year winning streak. They have also rounded up 19 of the last 20 NCAC Tournament titles with a 10-year winning streak.
Labrador is entering his 15th season at the helm of the Wittenberg program and has amassed over 400 wins and a winning percentage of .863. The Tigers are set to start the 2017 campaign on September 1-2, in Pam Evans Smith Arena for the Marriott Invitational.
Written By: Evelyn Carus