Weindel Inks Three High School Standouts in First Recruiting Class
11/15/2012 4:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
First-year head volleyball coach Kyle Weindel has signed three high school standouts as part of his inaugural recruiting class at Montana State. Inking National Letters-of-Intent are Kennadie Clute, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Spokane, Wash., Alexandra Rader, a 6-foot outside hitter from Shingle Springs, Calif., and Anna Sykora, a 5-foot-11 setter from Rapid City, So. Dak.
First-year head volleyball coach Kyle Weindel has signed three high school standouts as part of his inaugural recruiting class at Montana State. Inking National Letters-of-Intent are Kennadie Clute, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Spokane, Wash., Alexandra Rader, a 6-foot outside hitter from Shingle Springs, Calif., and Anna Sykora, a 5-foot-11 setter from Rapid City, So. Dak.
Clute, who preps at Mt. Spokane High School, played club ball for the Sideout Volleyball squad. At Mt. Spokane, she has helped the Wildcats to a 75-16 overall mark, including an 18-4 record this fall. Clute holds the school record with 935 kills, including a single-match 29 kills. As a senior, she is averaged 5.24 kills per set. An all-state and Greater Spokane League all-conference honoree, Clute posted 585 career digs, as well. An outstanding all-around athlete, she lettered four times in track and three years in basketball.
“What caught my eye first about Kennadie was her speed to the ball,” Weindel said. “She is a dynamic six-rotation outside attacker who has the ability to get kills from a variety of sets, while being very accomplished in the back row. Her dynamic jumping ability and speed is just what we need in left side attackers. The expectation is for her to come in and compete for playing time along with the other 2013 signees.”
She is the daughter of Troy and Karri Clute.
Rader, who preps at Ponderosa High School, played club ball for the Northern California Volleyball Club Moxie-18 team that has advanced to the junior national tournament the past five seasons. Rader led the Delta River League in service aces and was third in kills per set as a senior. In addition, she earned three varsity letters in swimming and is a three-time academic letterwinner.
“Alex might be one of the strongest volleyball players and hardest spikers MSU has seen in recent years,” Weindel said. “Her strength and power lend well to what we are trying to do offensively. Within our offense at MSU, we rely on the opposite to get kills and have the ability to slow down opposing left-side attackers.”
She is the daughter of Bill and Connie Rader.
Sykora, who preps at Stevens High School, played club ball for the Black Hills Juniors that qualified for the 2012 national championship in Ohio. At Stevens, she helped the Raiders to a 75-33 overall mark during her tenure with the team. Sykora garnered 2011 South Dakota State All-Tournament honors as a junior and was a Scotts Bluff All-Tournament selection, as well. As a sophomore, Sykora earned her school's Raider Award and was an American Legion Award recipient. She is an honor roll student.
“Anna is a taller and physical type setter with good athleticism,” Weindel said. “Anna's ability to repeatedly deliver a consistent set put her on the top of our list. I would expect her to come in and immediately compete for playing time.”
She is the daughter of Barry and Sonia Sykora.
“As a whole, this is a very athletic and experienced group,” Weindel said. “They all have the ability to come into our program and make significant contributions right away.”
Weindel indicated the Bobcats are looking to sign one more student-athlete to the 2013 class.
Wednesday, January 18
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