Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Signs Four for 2017
11/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeVolleyball)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest volleyball head coach Bill Ferguson announced Wednesday that four student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Demon Deacon program for the 2017 season.
"The first four players of our 2017 recruiting class will help us tremendously from the moment they arrive on campus this summer," said Ferguson. "They are all extraordinary young women who will compete right away with the veterans and add much needed depth to the program."
Coming to Wake Forest from Plano, Texas, Jaclyn Childress was a three-time volleyball letterwinner at Plano Senior High School. She was named to the 2015 and 2016 Academic All-District team while winning countless inspiration and leadership awards. Childress has played for various club teams, including LoneStar Volleyball Club where her team placed first at NEQ in 2015 and fourth at NEQ in 2016. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker currently plays for Skyline Volleyball.
"Jaclyn bleeds Old Gold and Black already," said Ferguson. "She is a tireless worker in the middle and an unbelievable culture kid. She'll come in and add much needed depth at the middle blocker position and could eventually transition to playing one of the pin positions."
A 5-foot-11 setter out of Bloomington, Illinois, Madeline Holt is a four-time volleyball and two-time softball letterwinner at Central Catholic High School. She was a member of the 2015 Class 2A State Champion team and was named to the All-Conference Team and MVP. Holt was also on the 2016 Class 3A team that placed fourth at state and has recorded the second most assists in the state of Illinois this season.
"Maddie comes from a long line of great athletes in her family," said Ferguson of Holt. "She has great capabilities as a setter such as great hands, great speed and quickness. She's a tenacious competitor - a winner. When one watches Maddie play, it's apparent that she's a special young player. I'm looking forward to getting her in the gym with Bailey Shurbet and Rachel Burau."
Originally from Bad Honnef, Germany, Myca Mitchell attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, California. There, the 6-foot-2 outside hitter was named the league's biggest offensive threat and to the All-League First Team. She has competed with the USA High Performance Team in Oklahoma, Colorado and Florida as well as competing in Junior Nationals in 2015. Mitchell will be joining her brother, Donovan Mitchell, who plays basketball at Wake Forest.
"Myca is as fluid and smooth an athlete as you will see play volleyball," said Ferguson. "Her length and athleticism will undoubtedly help us on the pins. She's a great natural blocker, has the ability to be a great passer and fits in perfectly to our system here as a pin hitter."
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada-native Olivia Saunders has garnered success with her school teams, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School and Iona Catholic Secondary School, and with her club programs. Most recently, Saunders led her Ms. Pakmen U15 club team to an undefeated OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) season. The 6-foot-1 outside hitter/middle blocker has competed on the Junior National Team and was one of two U16 athletes invited to attend an identification for a "Quest for Gold" card that Volleyball Canada utilizes to identify athletes with national team potential.
"Olivia is another player that will help compete to play middle blocker right away," said Ferguson of Saunders. "She has a really quick arm and great lateral speed. Olivia's experience with the Canadian Volleyball federation will have her uniquely prepared once she arrives on campus this summer as she will compete for a spot with the Canadian Junior National Team and compete for an opportunity to play in the Canada Games."
"Overall, all four players' enthusiasm is off the charts and they will help solidify the ‘Our Way' culture we have here at Wake Forest Volleyball," Ferguson concluded.
The Demon Deacons wrap up their 2016 season Wednesday, Nov. 23, at NC State and Saturday, Nov. 26, at No. 6 North Carolina. The matches are set to begin at 6 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
