Rice Volleyball Announces 2020 Signing Class
11/13/2019 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON – Rice volleyball announced the signing of five student-athletes on Wednesday to enroll in school and join the Owls in 2020.
Danyle Courtney (Katy, Texas), Lauren Grips (Winter Park, Fla.), Sahara Maruska (Houston, Texas), Nia McCardell (Missouri City, Texas), Izzy Rawlings (Plano, Texas) signed National Letters of Intent with the Owls.
"We're really excited to bring in this signing class to Rice in 2020," said Rice head coach Genny Volpe. "It is an extremely talented class, and we believe one of the most complete recruiting classes in the country. Overall, the best way to describe this class is that they are all winners. Every one of them has played at the highest levels, competing on quality high school teams and nationally competitive club programs that know how to win. They are confident, athletic, have high volleyball IQ's and are all really good teammates. It's a great class to bring in after graduating so many experienced players."
Danyle Courtley
Courtley is a 6'1" outside/right side hitter who currently attends and plays for Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, Texas. In her senior season, Courtley was named a 2019 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American and an AVCA All-Region honoree. She's totaled 1,314 kills and 1,027 digs over her career for the Cougars, helping lead her team to a district championship her senior season. A three-time first team all-district selection, Courtley has produced 410 kills and 287 digs her senior season.
"Danyle has continued to elevate her game and improve ever since her commitment to Rice," said Volpe. "She is another attacker that is explosive and fast on the ball. She's got a wide range of shots, and her versatility is another attractive quality she brings to our team."
Lauren Gips
Grips is a 6'2" middle blocker who currently attends and plays for Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, Fla. This season Gips was named both a 2019 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American and an AVCA All-Region honoree. While with the Highlanders, Grips has helped lead her team to two state championships. Lake Highland is set to play for a state championship this weekend.
"Lauren's biggest strength is her blocking ability," said Volpe. "As a middle she can attack both in front and behind the setter, and can potentially play the right side position as well. She has a lot of untapped potential which is really exciting."
Sahara Maruska
Maruska is a 5'7" outside hitter who currently attends and plays for St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas. Last weekend Maruska helped lead the Tigers to a TAPPS 6A State Championship and was recognized on the all-tournament team. Maruska is a two-time all-state honoree, which included first team honors her junior season. While with the Tigers, Maruska was academic all-state in 2018 and was named the district's offensive player of the year.
"Sahara is an exciting player to watch," Volpe said. "She has probably the most explosive attack approach I have seen in years. She is a powerhouse, who can elevate and attack the ball with extreme force. I believe her eagerness to learn and improve means we could see rapid progress early in her college career."
Nia McCardell
McCardell is a 5'7" libero who currently attends and plays for Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas. In her senior season, McCardell has already been named a 2019 Under Armour Third Team All-American and an AVCA All-Region honoree. In her career, McCardell totaled 2,327 digs, 108 aces, and 209 kills. This past season she earned first team all-district honors and was the district's defensive player of the year. In 2018, the Panthers were runners up in the 6A state title match.
"In recruiting a libero it was very important for us to find someone that we believed could transition to the college game quickly and efficiently," Volpe said. "Nia is definitely the person we were looking for. She has elite reading skills, great touch on the ball, and can make a tough play look easy. She is a complete player, who should respond to the speed of the college game smoothly."
Izzy Rawlings
Rawlings is a 5'11" setter who currently attends and plays for John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas. Over her career, Rawlings has amassed 3,168 assists, 1068 digs, 929 kills, 300 aces and 120 blocks. She was named the TAPPS Setter of the Year and All-DFW leader in aces in 2018 as a junior. Rawlings earned TAPPS All-State honors as both a junior and sophomore and is a three-time first team all-district honoree.
"Izzy is a very smooth, smart and athletic setter," said Volpe. "She brings a lot of high-level experience to the table and can run a fast-tempo offense. I believe her transition from high school to the college game will be quick and she will be able to pick up our offense and connect with our attackers very early on."
-RiceOwls.com-
Danyle Courtney (Katy, Texas), Lauren Grips (Winter Park, Fla.), Sahara Maruska (Houston, Texas), Nia McCardell (Missouri City, Texas), Izzy Rawlings (Plano, Texas) signed National Letters of Intent with the Owls.
"We're really excited to bring in this signing class to Rice in 2020," said Rice head coach Genny Volpe. "It is an extremely talented class, and we believe one of the most complete recruiting classes in the country. Overall, the best way to describe this class is that they are all winners. Every one of them has played at the highest levels, competing on quality high school teams and nationally competitive club programs that know how to win. They are confident, athletic, have high volleyball IQ's and are all really good teammates. It's a great class to bring in after graduating so many experienced players."
Danyle Courtley
Courtley is a 6'1" outside/right side hitter who currently attends and plays for Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, Texas. In her senior season, Courtley was named a 2019 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American and an AVCA All-Region honoree. She's totaled 1,314 kills and 1,027 digs over her career for the Cougars, helping lead her team to a district championship her senior season. A three-time first team all-district selection, Courtley has produced 410 kills and 287 digs her senior season.
"Danyle has continued to elevate her game and improve ever since her commitment to Rice," said Volpe. "She is another attacker that is explosive and fast on the ball. She's got a wide range of shots, and her versatility is another attractive quality she brings to our team."
Lauren Gips
Grips is a 6'2" middle blocker who currently attends and plays for Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, Fla. This season Gips was named both a 2019 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American and an AVCA All-Region honoree. While with the Highlanders, Grips has helped lead her team to two state championships. Lake Highland is set to play for a state championship this weekend.
"Lauren's biggest strength is her blocking ability," said Volpe. "As a middle she can attack both in front and behind the setter, and can potentially play the right side position as well. She has a lot of untapped potential which is really exciting."
Sahara Maruska
Maruska is a 5'7" outside hitter who currently attends and plays for St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas. Last weekend Maruska helped lead the Tigers to a TAPPS 6A State Championship and was recognized on the all-tournament team. Maruska is a two-time all-state honoree, which included first team honors her junior season. While with the Tigers, Maruska was academic all-state in 2018 and was named the district's offensive player of the year.
"Sahara is an exciting player to watch," Volpe said. "She has probably the most explosive attack approach I have seen in years. She is a powerhouse, who can elevate and attack the ball with extreme force. I believe her eagerness to learn and improve means we could see rapid progress early in her college career."
Nia McCardell
McCardell is a 5'7" libero who currently attends and plays for Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas. In her senior season, McCardell has already been named a 2019 Under Armour Third Team All-American and an AVCA All-Region honoree. In her career, McCardell totaled 2,327 digs, 108 aces, and 209 kills. This past season she earned first team all-district honors and was the district's defensive player of the year. In 2018, the Panthers were runners up in the 6A state title match.
"In recruiting a libero it was very important for us to find someone that we believed could transition to the college game quickly and efficiently," Volpe said. "Nia is definitely the person we were looking for. She has elite reading skills, great touch on the ball, and can make a tough play look easy. She is a complete player, who should respond to the speed of the college game smoothly."
Izzy Rawlings
Rawlings is a 5'11" setter who currently attends and plays for John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas. Over her career, Rawlings has amassed 3,168 assists, 1068 digs, 929 kills, 300 aces and 120 blocks. She was named the TAPPS Setter of the Year and All-DFW leader in aces in 2018 as a junior. Rawlings earned TAPPS All-State honors as both a junior and sophomore and is a three-time first team all-district honoree.
"Izzy is a very smooth, smart and athletic setter," said Volpe. "She brings a lot of high-level experience to the table and can run a fast-tempo offense. I believe her transition from high school to the college game will be quick and she will be able to pick up our offense and connect with our attackers very early on."
-RiceOwls.com-
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02