Wayne State head volleyball coach Scott Kneifl has announced five student-athletes who have signed and/or committed to attend Wayne State College and play volleyball for the Wildcats in the 2024-25 school year.  The group includes Anna Borner of Waterloo, Chloe Hanel from Clarkson, Molly Romano of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jolee Ryan of Overton and Ava Spies (speas) from Elkhorn. 
            "We are extremely please with our 2024 class," remarked Coach Kneifl.  "We feel like we have brought in players that not only will help our needs on the court but are also quality people and student-athletes that fit the mold of our program.  We can't wait to get them on campus next fall."
            Anna Borner is a 5-4 libero/defensive specialist from Douglas County West High School where she was a four-year starter in volleyball and two years in track and field.  Borner is a two-time All-Nebraska Capitol Conference selection and was voted Class C1 All-State Second Team last season as a junior.  She holds career and single season service ace and dig records at Douglas County West High School, recording school records this season with 512 digs and 85 service aces while leading her team to a 27-5 record.  Borner also excels in the classroom earning three NCPA Academic All-State awards.
            "Anna is a solid libero/defensive specialist that has played a variety of positions in the back row," commented Kneifl.  "Her ball control and ability to receive serve at a high level will be key in her transition to the college game.  Anna comes from Wildcat blood lines and we can't wait to see how she progresses in our program."
            Chloe Hanel, a 6-0 middle hitter from Clarkson-Leigh High School, is a multi-sport standout in volleyball, basketball and track and field.  Hanel led the Patriots to the State Volleyball Tournament all four years including a Class C2 runner up finish this season with a 34-2 record. This season, she recorded 490 kills (5.2/set) with a .463 hitting percentage that was #1 in Nebraska and 25^th nationally while also posting 97 blocks (1.0/set).  Hanel finished her career with 1,731 kills and 338 total blocks while hitting .380 in four years.  She earned All-State and All-East Husker Conference volleyball honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior.  On the basketball court last season she averaged 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.9 assists per game while guiding the Patriots to a 20-7 record and first round of the Class D1 State Tournament.  Hanel has earned All-State basketball honors as a sophomore and junior.  In track and field last year as a junior Hanel earned four medals at the Class C state track meet, placing second in the high jump (5'4"), third in the 100-meter hurdles (15.28), sixth in the 300-meter hurdles (47.32) and sixth in the 400-meter relay. 
            "Chloe is a middle hitter than has an explosive jump and arm swing," boasted Coach Kneifl.  "We plan on training her in both the middle and on the pins here at WSC.  Her net play is extremely advanced for a high school player and once she concentrates on one sport in college we will see a huge jump in her game.  Chloe is a go-to attacker and has the capability of playing multiple positions across the net for the Wildcats."
            Molly Romano is a 5-9 setter from Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln High School. This season she recorded 896 assists with a team high 55 service aces helping her team reach the Region 2 Championship Match. Romano is a All-Missouri River Conference First Team Selection as a junior and senior and was Class 5A All-State First Team last season as a junior. Other post-season honors last year included All-District West Team and KMA Land Setter of the year. Romano ended her high school career with 3031 set assists.  
            "Molly is an experienced setter that has had a fabulous high school and club career," said Kneifl.  "She is very offensive from the setter position and has the traits to be an incredible leader here at WSC.  We expect Molly to be a difference maker in our program early in her career."
            Jolee Ryan, a 5-10 middle hitter from Overton, is a four-year starter in volleyball and basketball.  This season she led the Eagles to the Class D2 State Championship with 32-3 record, recording 430 kills (4.9/set), 284 digs, 63 service aces and 49 blocks. Last year as a junior Ryan helped Overton to a 30-5 record and State runner-up finish earning All-State First Team honors. She was voted All-Fort Kearney Conference First Team as a sophomore and junior and finished her high school career with 1523 kills and 1232 digs.
            "Jolee is a multi-talented volleyball player," stated Coach Kneifl.  "She is coming off a fabulous high school season leading her team to the state title.  She will train in multiple positions and will be used as a utility player in a variety of positions where needed.  Her skill set also translates very well to the beach game where I think she will also excel."
            Ava Spies is a 5-9 outside hitter from Elkhorn North High School where she is a four-year starter in volleyball and soccer. This season she recorded 362 kills and 263 digs helping the Wolves advance to the Class B State Tournament semi-finals with a 29-8 record.  As a junior last year Spies produced 219 kills and 50 service aces helping team to a 32-5 record and Class B State runner-up finish while earning All-Eastern Midlands Conference honors. Spies also excels in soccer where she was named Class B All-State First Team and Super State Second Team last spring as a junior after scoring 13 goals with five assists helping team to 11-7 record and Class B State Tournament.  
            "Ava is a dynamic outside hitter with a big arm," remarked Kneifl.  "She recently transitioned from the middle to the outside and has made the transition look seamless.  Ava is a point scorer, and given the reps, we believe her back row skills will continue to grow.  We are excited to see early growth in her game here at WSC."
            Wayne State has won 19 straight matches and is 26-1 overall and a perfect 17-0 in NSIC play.  The Wildcats, ranked #1 in this week's AVCA/TARAFLEX Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll for an eighth straight week, closes the regular season at home Saturday afternoon hosting #9 St. Cloud State at 1 p.m. in Rice Auditorium.