Wake Forest Athletics
Demon Deacons Add Five for 2016
2/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeVolleyball)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest University volleyball head coach Ken Murczek has announced that five student-athletes will join the Demon Deacon volleyball program on Monday. Caitlyn Della, Caroline Rassenfoss, Jayda Howard, Gabriela Howard and Caitlin Clarke signed National Letters of Intent and are set to join the program for the 2016 season.
"I am incredibly excited about this 2016 incoming class," said Murczek. "I look forward to seeing them compete for playing time and adding depth to our roster."
Della is a 6-foot-3 middle blocker who attends Panther Creek High School in Cary, N.C. One of the most dominant players in this year's 4A Southwest Wake Athletic Conference, Della was an Under Armour Second Team All-American this season. Following a second-team all-conference season last year, she helped the Catamounts to their first winning record, first conference championship and first playoff appearance in school history.
A 6-foot-2 left side from Louisville, Ky., Rassenfoss is a three-time all-district, four-time all-region and three-time first-team all-state honoree. She was named the AVCA Player of the Week in Kentucky in October and was later named the 2015 Kentucky AA Player of the Year, also garnering All-American honorable mention accolades. Additionally, she received NCSAA All-American plaudits in 2013 and 2014.
Coming to Wake Forest from The Bishop School in La Jolla, Calif., 6-foot right side Jayda Howard has been named to the Nike Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team after helping her team to third place at the event. She also helped the Knights to a CIF Division III championship in 2013 as well as back-to-back Coastal League titles. A Prep Volleyball High School Breakthrough Player in 2015, Howard helped guide Coast Volleyball Club to a Pacific Northwest Qualifier championship and was named to the all-tournament team.
Gabriela Howard of Plano Senior High School in Texas is a former teammate of Deacon sophomore Kylie Long. Howard aided the Wildcats to bi-district, area and city championships, as well as a state Elite Eight appearance in 2013. The 5-foot-11 lefty right side is a two-time academic all-district honoree. Howard has also helped Excel Volleyball Club to two bronze medals and a silver medal at the Junior National Championships.
Clarke is a 5-foot-6 libero and defensive specialist out of Houston Christian High School in Texas. She has helped the Mustangs to back-to-back third-place finishes at the Southwest Preparatory Conference championships. Also a standout in softball and a varsity letterwinner in soccer, Clarke has won multiple team MVP awards and has picked up All-SPC honors in each of the last three seasons. She plays club volleyball for Houston Skyline Juniors and has twice been named the team's best defensive player.
"All five of these girls had significant roles on their high school teams and all went deep into their respective state playoffs," said Murczek. "I am proud of their accomplishments thus far both on and off the court and they will be great additions to the Demon Deacons. I look forward to having the opportunity to coach all of these high-character young ladies."
