Demon Deacons Volleyball Announces Addition of Ryleigh Whitekettle
2/3/2025 10:16:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The former New Mexico State standout is the first commit for Wake Forest head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest volleyball has added Ryleigh Whitekettle to its roster for the 2025 fall season, announced by head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer and the program on Monday.
Whitekettle comes to DEACTOWN from New Mexico State, where she spent the past three seasons with the Aggies. A native of Topsail Beach, N.C., Whitekettle will join the Demon Deacons as a graduate transfer.
"I'm very excited about the addition of Ryleigh to our program," said Hulsmeyer. "She brings a lot of experience to the team as a graduate student-athlete and, at 6 '5", she'll provide a new level of physicality that we are committed to continuing to build upon. We are looking for players with that passion to succeed, who are great teammates that embrace competition and expect to win. Ryleigh checks all of those boxes and I cannot be more excited to bring a North Carolina native back home as my first recruit to Wake Forest."
Ryleigh Whitekettle | 6-5 | Right-Side/Outside Hitter | Topsail Beach, N.C. | New Mexico State
Competing as a hitter for the Aggies, Whitekettle was a standout during the 2023 campaign. She totaled a team-leading 369 kills, including a .307 hitting percentage, while adding 73 blocks and 49 digs. Her efforts on the hardwood helped pace New Mexico State to a 21-10 overall record with an 11-5 mark in conference play, ultimately making an appearance in the Conference USA Tournament Championship through the program's first year as a league member school.
During her first year in Las Cruces in 2022, Whitekettle ranked fourth on the roster in both kills (136) and blocks (41.0) while making 17 starts across 24 matches.
Whitekettle earned several accolades throughout her time at New Mexico State, including:
Why Wake?:
"From my first conversation with the staff, I felt Wake was a place I would be accepted and supported to end my college career. I know I can make a difference here and there is no one I'd rather play for, I'm extremely eager to get to work and be a part of something bigger than myself here.
"In my time at Wake, I want to help the team not only compete but succeed at this level. I think my experience in college athletics adds a mental piece to the physical team we are building, and this is the time to make a generational run. We are a fiercely motivated group and I have confidence in our abilities to compete in the conference." - Ryleigh Whitekettle
Personal
Ryleigh is the daughter of Stephanie and Brett Whitekettle. She has an older brother, Noah, who played college football at UNC Pembroke. Ryleigh plans to pursue a master's degree in communications during her time at Wake Forest.
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Whitekettle comes to DEACTOWN from New Mexico State, where she spent the past three seasons with the Aggies. A native of Topsail Beach, N.C., Whitekettle will join the Demon Deacons as a graduate transfer.
"I'm very excited about the addition of Ryleigh to our program," said Hulsmeyer. "She brings a lot of experience to the team as a graduate student-athlete and, at 6 '5", she'll provide a new level of physicality that we are committed to continuing to build upon. We are looking for players with that passion to succeed, who are great teammates that embrace competition and expect to win. Ryleigh checks all of those boxes and I cannot be more excited to bring a North Carolina native back home as my first recruit to Wake Forest."
Ryleigh Whitekettle | 6-5 | Right-Side/Outside Hitter | Topsail Beach, N.C. | New Mexico State
Competing as a hitter for the Aggies, Whitekettle was a standout during the 2023 campaign. She totaled a team-leading 369 kills, including a .307 hitting percentage, while adding 73 blocks and 49 digs. Her efforts on the hardwood helped pace New Mexico State to a 21-10 overall record with an 11-5 mark in conference play, ultimately making an appearance in the Conference USA Tournament Championship through the program's first year as a league member school.
During her first year in Las Cruces in 2022, Whitekettle ranked fourth on the roster in both kills (136) and blocks (41.0) while making 17 starts across 24 matches.
Whitekettle earned several accolades throughout her time at New Mexico State, including:
- 2024 Preseason All-CUSA Team
- 2023 All-CUSA First Team
- First-ever Aggie to earn the honor
- 2023 CUSA All-Tournament Team
- 2023 Thunderdome Classic All-Tournament Team
- 2023 Redbird Classic All-Tournament Team
- 2023 Preseason All-CUSA Team
Why Wake?:
"From my first conversation with the staff, I felt Wake was a place I would be accepted and supported to end my college career. I know I can make a difference here and there is no one I'd rather play for, I'm extremely eager to get to work and be a part of something bigger than myself here.
"In my time at Wake, I want to help the team not only compete but succeed at this level. I think my experience in college athletics adds a mental piece to the physical team we are building, and this is the time to make a generational run. We are a fiercely motivated group and I have confidence in our abilities to compete in the conference." - Ryleigh Whitekettle
Personal
Ryleigh is the daughter of Stephanie and Brett Whitekettle. She has an older brother, Noah, who played college football at UNC Pembroke. Ryleigh plans to pursue a master's degree in communications during her time at Wake Forest.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
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