University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Incoming 2019 Pitt Volleyball Class Receives National Ranking
5/7/2019 2:34:00 PM | Volleyball
Ranking Marks First in Program History
PITTSBURGH – For the first time in program history, the incoming Pitt volleyball recruiting class has earned a national ranking, as announced Tuesday.
The class received a ranking of No. 19 in the nation by PrepVolleyball. A panel of college coaches from across the country, representing all three NCAA divisions, determines the list of top classes.
"This is the most complete incoming class we've ever had, adding depth to every position on the court," Panthers head coach Dan Fisher said. "This ranking is indicative of the growth of our program over the last few years. Our goals remain the same as we look to defend our ACC titles and compete for championships, and these new Panthers will certainly increase the level of competition in our gym."
The back-to-back ACC Champions are set to welcome seven new Panthers this summer to begin competition in the fall of 2019. Setter Lexis Akeo, libero Ashley Browske, outside/right side Sadie Dick, transfer libero Hali Hillegas, middle/right side Chiamaka Nwokolo, middle hitter Anastasia Russ, and outside hitter Valeria Vázquez will look to help Pitt defend its conference titles.
Lexis Akeo | Setter | Kapolei, Hawaii | Kamehameha HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Ranked 70th nationally by Prep Volleyball Senior Ace … Hawaii's 2017 State Player of the Year, State Tournament MVP and Gatorade Player of the Year … Played for Manoa Beach Volleyball Club … Selected as one of the 2016 Prepvolleyball.com Soph 79.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Les and Cherie Akeo ... Has four siblings, Thomas, Lester, Lesli and Kamalani … Older sister Kamalani Akeo recently completed her four-year career as a setter for the Panthers.
Ashley Browske | Libero | Highland Heights, Ohio | Lake Catholic HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Two-time All-Conference and All-District First Team (2017, 2018) … 2018 Defensive Player of the Year … 2018 All-Ohio Second Team … 2017 All-Ohio Third Team … Named to 2015 North Coast All-League Team … 2017 GJNC All-Tournament Team … Played for Eastside Cleveland Juniors Volleyball Club ... Member of National Honor Society and Honor Roll.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Mary and Dave … Has four siblings, Stephanie, Natalie, Kimberly and Joey.
Sadie Dick | Outside/Right Side | St. Catharines, Ontario | Governor Simcoe Secondary School
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Member of the Canadian Junior National Team … Two-time team MVP and captain at Governor Simcoe Secondary School … Named school's Girls Athlete of the Year as a junior … Earned MVP honors at the Niagara Volleyball Showcase as a sophomore … Won the Senior Girls Volleyball Southern Ontario Secondary School Association (SOSSA) Championship as a freshman.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Jo-Ann and John … Has three siblings, Annie, Steven and Scott … Intended major is mathematics … Received Scholars Awards in each year of secondary school for earning grade percentages of 90 or above.
Hali Hillegas | Redshirt Senior | Libero | Charles City, Iowa | Iowa State
COLLEGIATE AWARDS AND HONORS
Big 12 Preseason Team (2018) ... Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (2016: Oct. 31, Nov. 21; 2017: Sept. 4, Sept. 18, Oct. 2, Oct. 30; 2018: Sept. 10) ... AVCA Honorable Mention All-American (2017) ... AVCA All-Midwest Region Team (2017) ... Big 12 Libero of the Year (2017) ... All-Big 12 First Team (2017) ... Academic All-Big 12 First Team (2016, 2017, 2018) ... Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2016) ... Big 12 Freshman of the Week (Nov. 7, Nov. 14, 2016) ... Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018)
PERSONAL
Born July 8, 1997 … Daughter of Rod and Amy Hillegas … Elementary education major.
Chiamaka Nwokolo | Middle/Right Side | Blacklick, Ohio | Bishop Hartley HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Ranked 66th nationally by Prep Volleyball Senior Ace … Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention … Club team, Mintonette, won the 16 Open Section at the USAV Nationals in 2017 … Named to the 2017 All-Ohio State Volleyball Team.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Chinyelu and Osita … Has three siblings, Ginika, Ako and Toby … Intended major is behavioral science … Member of Honor Roll.
Anastasia Russ | Middle Hitter | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Hampton HS
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Ranked 57th nationally by Prep Volleyball Senior Ace … 2018 AVCA Under Armour All-American … Three-time All-Section, All-WPIAL and All-State selection … 2017 Prep Volleyball All-American Special Mention … 2016 Hampton MVP, where Hampton won Section 3 and played in the WPIAL Championship … Plays for Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club … Member of National Honor Society and earned Highest Honor Roll every semester of high school.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Carol and Peter … Has an older brother, Alexander … Intended major is pre-medicine.
Valeria Vázquez | Outside Hitter | Manati, Puerto Rico | Colegio Marista Manati
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Voted MVP of the Jeep Volleyball Championships in 2017 … Named an All-Star in the 2017 AAU Junior National Championships … Received 2016 Power League Super Regional accolades as her team competed in the championship.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Ramón Vázquez Meléndez … Has four siblings, Frances, Verüshka, Jonathan and Zahira … Intended major is rehabilitation science … Father played professional basketball in Puerto Rico and all four of her siblings played volleyball.
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