Photo by: Eric Roth
Newest Trio of Deacs Compose 2024 Volleyball Signing Class
11/8/2023 6:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Welcome to Wake Forest – Cy Rae Campbell, Becca Bellows and Dhru Lalaji!
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – As the annual National Signing Day has arrived for the 2023-24 school year, Wake Forest volleyball has officially added three new members to the family.
Cy Rae Campbell, Becca Bellows and Dhru Lalaji all joined the Demon Deacons' program on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
"Wake 2024 is around the corner!" said head coach Randi Smart. "This recruiting class is dynamic, physical and fiery. Additionally, each of them come from high school and club teams that compete and win! We are thrilled to add Becca, Cy and Dhru to the family!"
Cy Rae Campbell | 5-11 | Middle Hitter | Olathe, Kans. | Heritage Christian Academy
A bona-fide winner who hails from a family of athletes, Cy Rae brings a decorated resume through high school and club competition. She has collected a state championship in each of her four years as a varsity letter winner, along with numerous individual honors. Additionally, Cy Rae reached over 1,000 career kills at Heritage Christian Academy while being ranked as high as No. 28 and 36 nationally by PrepVolleyball.com and PrepDig – earning props as the top player at her position within the state of Kansas from the latter. Off of the court, she has acted as a four-year honor roll student and member of a mentoring program for middle schoolers. Cy Rae plans to center her collegiate studies around business and fine arts.
Cy Rae Campbell High School Accomplishments
Cy Rae Campbell Club Volleyball Accomplishments
Why Wake?:
"When I started the recruiting process, I didn't know much about Wake Forest, but the coaches, players, academic advisor, faculty and staff that I met along the way showed me what Wake Forest was and it made me want to become part of Deacon Nation," said Cy Rae. "I'm excited to play for these amazing coaches who have been honest, showed a real desire for me to be in the program and have a realistic plan for the future of Wake Forest volleyball. My teammates have been amazing from the first time I stepped on campus. They took me in and made me feel welcomed and a part of their family. It's really special to think I get the opportunity to achieve a degree from such an amazing university like Wake Forest, and represent Deacon Nation while playing the sport I love."
From Coach Smart:
"We are adding another fast, explosive middle to this group with Cy Rae," said head coach Randi Smart. "We hope she is going to be a monster for this conference and can't wait to get her here. She wins. She's won state championships and at the club level, being another experienced player coming to us. As impressive as her resume is, she's even more impressive as a person."
Becca Bellows | 6-0 | Setter | Wheaton, Ill. | Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Serving as a high school team captain for three of her four years on the Tigers' varsity squad, Becca provides depth and size within the Deacons' core of setters. She recently entered Wheaton's 1,000-assists club this fall and has notched a number of accolades while pacing her school to consecutive regional championships. The Midwest native ranks eighth overall in the state of Illinois and fifth at her position. Upon stepping foot on campus, Becca currently plans to study health/exercise science and kinesiology en route to ultimately becoming a physician assistant.
Becca Bellows High School Accomplishments
Becca Bellows Club Volleyball Accomplishments
Why Wake?:
"Wake Forest feels like home," stated Becca. "The campus has a community environment and the atmosphere is welcoming. The coaching staff and players treated me like family when I visited the campus for the first time. Plus, Wake Forest's high academic standards will help me grow as a person."
From Coach Smart:
"Becca is a setter coming to us who has trained with elite teams," said head coach Randi Smart. "She has a great brain for volleyball as a physical setter. We are really looking forward to getting her in the gym this fall. She's going to add a lot of depth and power to that position, and setters are the way we go. We're excited to get Becca here and see what she can bring us this fall."
Dhru Lalaji | 5-5 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Atlanta, Ga. | Pace Academy
A multi-champion throughout both her high school and club volleyball experience, Dhru holds prowess as a defensive specialist. She has been a member of the renowned A5 Volleyball Club, which also produced current Deacon sophomore libero Emma Farrell. The Atlanta product helped lead her Pace Academy team to emerge as the No. 1 team in the state of Georgia and No. 9 nationally. A National Honors Society inductee, Dhru is interested in studying biology, anatomy and business at Wake Forest.
Dhru Lalaji High School Accomplishments
Dhru Lalaji Club Volleyball Accomplishments
Why Wake?:
"I chose Wake Forest because I fell in love with the people and coaches," said Dhru. "Everyone is so unique and welcoming – they gave me an idea of what it felt like to be at home. The campus is beautiful and the energy is unmatched. The coaches care for each and every one of their players, which is a necessity in sports. I always feel like I have someone who's got my back."
From Coach Smart:
"Dhru is another player with great high school and club experience," noted head coach Randi Smart. "She wins a lot. She has trained well, knows how to be a great teammate, knows how to win at the next level and knows that pressure is a privilege. We're excited to add Dhru to this class. We love our first-contact kids and Dhru is going to be another one who comes in and competes."
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Cy Rae Campbell, Becca Bellows and Dhru Lalaji all joined the Demon Deacons' program on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
"Wake 2024 is around the corner!" said head coach Randi Smart. "This recruiting class is dynamic, physical and fiery. Additionally, each of them come from high school and club teams that compete and win! We are thrilled to add Becca, Cy and Dhru to the family!"
Cy Rae Campbell | 5-11 | Middle Hitter | Olathe, Kans. | Heritage Christian Academy
A bona-fide winner who hails from a family of athletes, Cy Rae brings a decorated resume through high school and club competition. She has collected a state championship in each of her four years as a varsity letter winner, along with numerous individual honors. Additionally, Cy Rae reached over 1,000 career kills at Heritage Christian Academy while being ranked as high as No. 28 and 36 nationally by PrepVolleyball.com and PrepDig – earning props as the top player at her position within the state of Kansas from the latter. Off of the court, she has acted as a four-year honor roll student and member of a mentoring program for middle schoolers. Cy Rae plans to center her collegiate studies around business and fine arts.
Cy Rae Campbell High School Accomplishments
- Four-year varsity letter winner (2020-23)
- Four-time conference champion and all-conference selection (2020-23)
- Four-time sub-state champion (2020-23)
- 2023 3A state champion
- 2023 3A first team all-state
- 2023 3A state all-tournament team
- 2023 Special Mention on Illinois Prep Volleyball All-State Team
- 2022 3A state champion
- 2022 3A first team all-state
- 2022 3A state all-tournament team
- Invited to 2022 & 2023 Metro Sports MoKan All-Star Volleyball Game to represent Team KS
- 2022 and 2021 team co-MVP
- 2021 3A state champion
- 2021 3A state all-tournament team
- 2021 3A first team all-state
- 2020 2A state champion
- 2020 2A State all-tournament team
- 2020 2A all-state honorable mention
Cy Rae Campbell Club Volleyball Accomplishments
- PrepDig National Rankings: Overall #36 & MB #9
- PrepDig State Rankings: Overall #5 & MB #1
- Prepvolleyball National Rankings: Overall #28 & MB #9
- 2023 USAV Girls Junior National Championship (GJNC) 17 Open - second place (Dynasty)
- 2023 Lone Star Qualifier 17 Open champions
- 2023 Show Me Qualifier 17 Open all-tournament team – Vballrecruiter
- 2023 Show Me Qualifier 17 Open all-tournament team – Prepvolleyball
- 2023 Mid-East Qualifier 17 Open all-tournament team – Vballrecruiter
- Two-time attendee at USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP)
- 2023 Under Armour Next Event Camp MVP award
- 2023 Midwest Battles invitee for Team KS
- 2022 Sunshine Classic Qualifier 17 Open champions
- 2022 USAV GJNC 17 Open qualified (Dynasty)
- 2021 USAV GJNC 16 Open qualifed (Dynasty)
- 2020 USAV GJNC 15 Open qualified (Dynasty)
- 2019 USAV GJNC 14 Open qualified (MAVS)
- 2018 USAV GJNC 13 Open qualified (MAVS)
- 2017 USAV GJNC 12 Open - second place (MAVS)
Why Wake?:
"When I started the recruiting process, I didn't know much about Wake Forest, but the coaches, players, academic advisor, faculty and staff that I met along the way showed me what Wake Forest was and it made me want to become part of Deacon Nation," said Cy Rae. "I'm excited to play for these amazing coaches who have been honest, showed a real desire for me to be in the program and have a realistic plan for the future of Wake Forest volleyball. My teammates have been amazing from the first time I stepped on campus. They took me in and made me feel welcomed and a part of their family. It's really special to think I get the opportunity to achieve a degree from such an amazing university like Wake Forest, and represent Deacon Nation while playing the sport I love."
From Coach Smart:
"We are adding another fast, explosive middle to this group with Cy Rae," said head coach Randi Smart. "We hope she is going to be a monster for this conference and can't wait to get her here. She wins. She's won state championships and at the club level, being another experienced player coming to us. As impressive as her resume is, she's even more impressive as a person."
making moves from Kansas to DEACTOWN 🔜
— Wake Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) November 8, 2023
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞, @CyCampbell_2024 💛#NSD2023 | #GoDeacs 🎩 🏐 pic.twitter.com/Z11Q08azKF
Becca Bellows | 6-0 | Setter | Wheaton, Ill. | Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Serving as a high school team captain for three of her four years on the Tigers' varsity squad, Becca provides depth and size within the Deacons' core of setters. She recently entered Wheaton's 1,000-assists club this fall and has notched a number of accolades while pacing her school to consecutive regional championships. The Midwest native ranks eighth overall in the state of Illinois and fifth at her position. Upon stepping foot on campus, Becca currently plans to study health/exercise science and kinesiology en route to ultimately becoming a physician assistant.
Becca Bellows High School Accomplishments
- 2023 Dukane Conference Player of the Year
- 2022 Dukane all-conference pick
- Two-time regional champion (2021-22)
- 2021 Dukane Conference special mention
- 2021 Daily Herald All Area honorable mention
- 2021 all-state special mention
- 2021 News Gazzette's 40th all-state team - honorable mention
- AVCA 'Best and Brightest' third team
- Four-time AVCA Academic Team member (2020-23)
Becca Bellows Club Volleyball Accomplishments
- 2023 AAUs 18 Premier - third place
- 2022 JVA All American Watch List - Class of 2024
- 2021 and 2022 AVCA Phenom Watchlist
- 2021 and 2022 JVA Ultra Ankle Watchlist
Why Wake?:
"Wake Forest feels like home," stated Becca. "The campus has a community environment and the atmosphere is welcoming. The coaching staff and players treated me like family when I visited the campus for the first time. Plus, Wake Forest's high academic standards will help me grow as a person."
From Coach Smart:
"Becca is a setter coming to us who has trained with elite teams," said head coach Randi Smart. "She has a great brain for volleyball as a physical setter. We are really looking forward to getting her in the gym this fall. She's going to add a lot of depth and power to that position, and setters are the way we go. We're excited to get Becca here and see what she can bring us this fall."
hailing from the Land of Lincoln 📍
— Wake Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) November 8, 2023
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞, @bellows_rebecca 💛#NSD2023 | #GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/7WNEm0L18P
Dhru Lalaji | 5-5 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Atlanta, Ga. | Pace Academy
A multi-champion throughout both her high school and club volleyball experience, Dhru holds prowess as a defensive specialist. She has been a member of the renowned A5 Volleyball Club, which also produced current Deacon sophomore libero Emma Farrell. The Atlanta product helped lead her Pace Academy team to emerge as the No. 1 team in the state of Georgia and No. 9 nationally. A National Honors Society inductee, Dhru is interested in studying biology, anatomy and business at Wake Forest.
Dhru Lalaji High School Accomplishments
- Four-time state champion
- Three-time regional champion
- Three-time first team all-state
- Member of the 1,000-digs club
Dhru Lalaji Club Volleyball Accomplishments
- 2022 AAU 16s national champions
- 2021 AAU 15s national champions
- 2021 USAV GJNC 15s national champions
Why Wake?:
"I chose Wake Forest because I fell in love with the people and coaches," said Dhru. "Everyone is so unique and welcoming – they gave me an idea of what it felt like to be at home. The campus is beautiful and the energy is unmatched. The coaches care for each and every one of their players, which is a necessity in sports. I always feel like I have someone who's got my back."
From Coach Smart:
"Dhru is another player with great high school and club experience," noted head coach Randi Smart. "She wins a lot. She has trained well, knows how to be a great teammate, knows how to win at the next level and knows that pressure is a privilege. We're excited to add Dhru to this class. We love our first-contact kids and Dhru is going to be another one who comes in and competes."
straight out of 🅰️-Town:
— Wake Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) November 8, 2023
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞, Dhru 💛#NSD2023 | #GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/nu9wLBK7uW
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Players Mentioned
DS
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