Wake Forest Adds Four on Signing Day

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest volleyball program and head coach Randi Smart announced the 2022 signing class on Wednesday.

The Deacons class boasts two Top-75 recruits as noted by Prepvolleyball.com in libero Emma Farrell and setter Rian Baker. Farrell is ranked as the No.70 player overall, as well as a Top-10 libero in the class and was recently named an Under Armour All-American. Alongside Farrell is setter Rian Baker. Baker is ranked as the No.73 player overall according to PrepVolleyball.com and is listed as a Top-10 player in the state of Illinois according to Illprepvb.com. A pair of AVCA Best and Brightest First Team pin hitters in Paige Crawford and Olivia Murphy round out the impressive class.

"As a group, this recruiting class brings winning, leadership, physicality, and a lot of competitive fun to Wake Forest. We are excited to bring this talented group into the Deac Volleyball family. They are all focused students, very talented volleyball players, and impressive young women. Their impact will be felt on day one." - Head Coach Randi Smart

2022 Wake Forest Volleyball Signing Class

Emma Farrell, Libero, Atlanta, Ga., St. Pius X Catholic High School, A5

Ranked PrepVolleyball.com No. 70 overall prospect
Ranked PrepVolleyball.com Top-10 libero
Selected as an Under Armor All-American in 2021
Selected to the USAV NTDP U18 Summer Training Series in 2021
Named PrepVolleyball.com Sophomore 79 in 2019
Named PrepVolleyball.com Frosh 59 in 2018
Named PrepVolleyball.com All-American in 2020
Named to the AVCA All-American Watch List in 2021
Named Max Prep Preseason All-American in 2021
Named to the USAV GJNC 17 Open All-Tournament Team in 2021
Named to the AAU National Championship 17 Open All-Tournament Team in 2021
Named to the AAU National Championship 13 Open All-Tournament Team in 2016
Named First-Team All-Region in 2018 and 2019
Named Region MVP in 2018 and 2019
Named Georgia AAAA Co-Player of the Year in 2019
Named Region 8AAAA Player of the Year in 2019
Named to the GVCA All-State Team in 2020
Named to the GHSA All-State Team in 2021
Named to the AVCA High School All-Region Team in 2021
Helped A5 finish 3rd at the USAV GJNC 17 Open in 2021
Helped A5 finish 3rd at the AAU National Championship 17 Open in 2021
Helped A5 finish 3rd at the AAU National Championship 13 Open in 2017
Helped A5 double qualify for USAV GJNC 17 Open with 2nd place finishes at the Lonestar Qualifier and the Mideast Qualifier in 2021
Helped A5 earn 1st place at the Central Zone Invitational 16 Open and qualify for USAV GJNC 16 Open with 2nd place finish at the Sunshine Qualifier in 2020
Helped A5 earn 1st and 3rd place finishes respectively at the Big South Qualifier in 2016 and 2017
Helped St. Pius X Catholic win regional championships in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021
Helped St. Pius X Catholic clinch a birth to the state title game in 2019
Helped St. Pius X Catholic win a state championship in 2018 and 2021

Why Emma chose Wake Forest and what she hopes to accomplish:

"I chose Wake Forest because it always felt like a second family. From the first second I spoke with the coaches and met the girls on the team I knew I wanted to be a part of the team. It was always important to me that I chose a school that was not only great in academics but also had a home feeling. During my time at Wake Forest I hope my teammates and I can continue to build the program. I hope that we help each other grow on and off the court, and we continue to drive each other in pushing for each other's success."

Transition to Wake Forest:

Emma is joining Wake Forest after an accolade-filled career at St. Pius X Catholic High School. A career that includes two state championships, a Georgia AAAA Co-Player of the year award, multiple mentions on PrepVolleyball.com as a top player in the country and an Under Armour All-American selection.

Emma's major while attending Wake Forest is currently undecided.

Coach Smart on Emma Farrell:

"Emma is fast, mature and highly talented. Emma brings a lot of everything to the court. She trains and competes at a high level. She is an exciting player to watch and we are excited that she is a part of our program."

Welcome to 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍, Emma!

🎩No. 70 Recruit Nationally
🎩Top-10 Libero Nationally
🎩Under Armour All-American#GoDeacs🎩🏐 pic.twitter.com/jnkwWR4VMb
— Wake Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) November 10, 2021

Rian Baker, Setter, Rolling Meadows, Ill. William Fremd High School, Sky High

Ranked PrepVolleyball.com No. 73 overall prospect
Named PrepVolleyball.com Sophomore 79 in 2019
Named to the AVCA High School All-America Third Team in 2021
Named to the AVCA High School All-Region Team in 2021
Named to the AVCA All-American Watch List in 2021
Named to the Illprepvb.com Top-10 players list in 2021
Named to the All-Area team in 2021
Named to the Illinois All-State team in 2021
Named to the USAV GJNC 17 American All-Tournament Team in 2021
Named to the USAV GJNC 15 Open All-Tournament Team in 2019
Helped Sky High finish 2nd at the USAV GJNC 15 Open in 2019
Helped William Fremd finish 4th at States in 2019
Four-year varsity starter from 2018-2021
Helped William Fremd reach 30 plus wins in four consecutive seasons for the first time in program history from 2018-2021

Why Rian chose Wake Forest and what she hopes to accomplish:

"I chose Wake because I felt a strong bond with the coaching staff and I wanted to be part of their vision for the program. The strong academics, being able to play high-level volleyball and the coaching staff made Wake Forest a perfect fit for me. I would like to see the team continue to grow and develop. I can't wait to get on the court with my teammates and help bring Wake Forest to the top of the ACC."

Transition to Wake Forest:

Rian comes to Winston-Salem after a very successful career at William Fremd High School. She helped her team reach at least 30 wins per season in each of her four years. She was named to the All-State team and named as a top player in the state of Illinois.

Rian plans on studying biology with a minor in business while at Wake Forest.

Coach Smart on Rian Baker:

"Rian is a student of the game. She is a great setter who loves to compete, lead and win. She is athletic, composed and brings so many intangibles to the game. We are excited to add her to our program. "

The Wake family just got bigger!

Say hello to @rianbaker_

🎩No. 73 Recruit Nationally
🎩Top-10 Player in Illinois
🎩AVCA High School All-Region Team#GoDeacs🎩🏐 pic.twitter.com/k7k8W18FMV
— Wake Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) November 10, 2021

Paige Crawford, OH, Wimberley, Texas, Wimberley High School, San Antonio Juniors

Named to the AVCA Best and Brightest 1st Team in 2021
Named to the AVCA All-American Watch List in 2021
Named to the AVCA Phenom List in 2020
Named to the PrepVolleyball.com Class of 2022 Watch List in 2019
Named District Newcomer of the Year in 2018
Named Academic All-District in 2018
Named District Offensive MVP in 2019
Named District MVP in 2020
Named to the State All-Tournament Team in 2020
Named to the TGCA All-Star Team in 2020
Helped San Antonio Magic qualify for USAV GJNC 15 USA in 2019
Helped Wimberley High School claim the District Championship and Bi-District Championship in 2018
Helped Wimberley High School claim the District Championship and Area Championship in 2019
Helped Wimberley High School claim the 2020 District Championship
Helped Wimberley High School reach the State Finals in 2020

Why Paige chose Wake Forest and what she hopes to accomplish:

"I chose Wake because of the amazing coaching staff, the beautiful campus, and the high academic standard Wake Forest offers. I want to help build the volleyball program into a top ACC team."

Transition to Wake Forest:

Paige joins the Demon Deacon family after four successful years at Wimberley High School. Paige helped lead Wimberley to multiple district titles, an area championship and reach the state finals during her career.

Paige plans on majoring in Health and Exercise Science while at Wake Forest. Her long term plan is to pursue a career in the medical field.

Coach Smart on Paige Crawford:

"Paige is physical, hard-working, and determined. She continues to develop her game and winning mentality every day. We can't wait to get her and her mentality in the gym."

Black & Gold will look great on you, @paigecraw13

🎩State of Texas All-Tournament Team
🎩AVCA Best and Brightest First-Team
🎩AVCA All-America Watch List #GoDeacs🎩🏐 pic.twitter.com/8aAbVZ7SBB
— Wake Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) November 10, 2021

Olivia Murphy, OH/RS, Indianapolis, Ind., Roncalli High School, Team Indiana

Named AAU Academic All-American in 2021
Named to the AVCA Best and Brightest 1st Team in 2021
Named to the AVCA High School All-Region Team in 2021
Named to the IHSVCA All-State Second Team in 2021
Named Indiana Academic All-State 2021
Named to the All Circle City Conference in 2020 and 2021
Named to All Marion County in 2020 and 2021
Received IHSVCA South All-Star Tryout Invite in 2021
Roncalli Team Leader in kills in 2020 and 2021
Invited to the Under Armour All-American Selection Camp in 2021
Helped Team Indiana finish #17 in PrepVolleyball.com's final national rankings in 2021
Helped Team Indiana double qualify for USAV GJNC 17 Open with a 3rd place finish at the Colorado Crossroads Qualifier and a 5th place finish at the Windy City Qualifier in 2021
Helped Team Indiana clinch 2nd Place at the JVA World Challenge and in the Mid-East Power League in 2021
Helped Roncalli clinch a Sectional Championship in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Helped Roncalli reach the Regional Finals in 2019
Helped Roncalli claim the Regional Championship in 2021
Helped Roncalli reach Semi-State in 2021
Helped Roncalli clinch the Circle City Conference Championship in 2018, 2019 and 2020
Helped Roncalli clinch the Marion County Championship in 2018, 2019 and 2020
Helped Roncalli reach #25 in the MaxPreps National Rankings in 2021
Helped Roncalli reach #4 in the Indiana 4A Final Rankings and a 28-6 record in 2021

Why Olivia chose Wake Forest and what she hopes to accomplish while she is here:

The people! The amazing teammates, the inspiring coaches, and everyone involved in academics are exactly the kind of people I want to surround myself with and emulate. I want to play my part in continuing the upward trajectory of Wake Forest Volleyball, and I'll do anything my team and coaches ask to help us win an ACC Championship.

Transition to Wake Forest:

Olivia brings both on-court success and off-court success to Wake Forest. Olivia was named to the Indiana Academic All-State team with a cumulative GPA of 4.37 on a 4.0 scale. She is also a National Honor Society member. On the court, Olivia helped Roncalli High School win multiple sectional championships, a regional championship and reach a Top-5 ranking in the state of Indiana.

Olivia plans on majoring in Health and Exercise Science with the intent of pursuing a career in medicine.

Coach Smart on Olivia Murphy:

"Olivia is a very physical player who will bring a high level of competition and a lot of power in the gym. Her maturity and volleyball IQ stood out during her recruiting process. We are looking forward to watching her grow."

Our final 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗖 of the day, @omurphy27

🎩IHSVCA All-State Team
🎩AAU Academic All-American
🎩AVCA High School All-Region Team#GoDeacs🎩🏐 pic.twitter.com/OrtxtjHuKr
— Wake Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) November 10, 2021

Wake Forest Athletics

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