Bobcat Volleyball Inks Two; Gets Preferred Walk-on Commit
11/18/2016 2:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team added to its roster with the signing of two high school athletes to National Letters-of-Intent and getting a commitment from a preferred walk-on, announced head coach JJ Riley on Friday afternoon.
The Montana State volleyball team added to its roster with the signing of two high school athletes to National Letters-of-Intent and getting a commitment from a preferred walk-on, announced head coach JJ Riley on Friday afternoon.
Signing with MSU are Hannah Scott, a 5-11 outside hitter from Hawthorne, Calif., and Kelsie White, a 6-4 middle blocker from Layton, Utah. In addition, Alexis Goroski, 5-3 libero from Phoenix, Ariz., has accepted an offer of admission to Montana State and will join the Bobcats as a preferred walk-on for next season.
Scott, who preps at Mira Costa High School, helped guide the Mustangs to a 28-9 overall mark this season. During her tenure at MCHS the squad recorded a 106-32 ledger. A four-time scholar-athlete and a three-year letterwinner, Scott paced Mira Costa to a Bay League title and a CIF semifinal appearance this fall.
"We are very excited to welcome Hannah to the Bobcat volleyball program and the MSU family," Riley said. "Hannah brings a wealth of experience and volleyball knowledge to our program as she has played for some of the top programs during her junior years. Her high school, Mira Costa, is regarded as a powerhouse and one of the top volleyball programs not only in southern California but in the country."
As a member of the Southern California Volleyball Club she has been part of numerous championship teams, including the 2016 Ann Kang Tournament in Hawai'i.
"Currently, Hannah is playing her club volleyball for SCVC and is under the guidance of some great coaches and people," Riley stated. "I personally know her coaches and directors so I know that she is being taught the right things on the court as well as being taught all of the intangibles that make players great. I think one of the most important things, is we know we are getting a great person in Hannah as she has a great family, great coaches, and mentors that have all helped shape her growth.
"Hannah is a strong six rotation player that can play on either pin, has great ball control, a high volleyball I.Q., a strong work ethic, and is a fierce competitor," Riley added. "She is very health conscience and understands that it takes living a certain lifestyle to become your best and she is committed to that path. We are excited to get her here next year and to have her a part of this program."
White, who preps at Bountiful High School, helped guide the Braves to their second consecutive Utah 4A state title this fall posting an overall mark of 31-2. White led Utah 4A in blocks and hitting percentage as a three-year starter. Bountiful also garnered its third straight Region 5 championship.
"Kelsie is a great addition to our program not only from the volleyball standpoint as she is a strong, high flying middle blocker, but she is also an amazing person," Riley said. "She is one of those athletes that plays high above the net as she is touching around 10-5, which will put her as one of the highest jumpers in the conference. Her size and athleticism are definitely going to help us elevate this program and help us in our blocking and offensive categories tremendously."
For her efforts, White was a 2015 Second-Team Utah All-State selection, after being an all-state honorable mention choice in 2014. The 2016 all-state squad has not been announced.
"On top of her ability to help us on the court, Kelsie is going to help us cultivate our culture as she is a great teammate, cares about others, and wants to be great," Riley added. "She will represent this program, athletic department, University, and wonderful town of Bozeman to the highest standard. Kelsie is coming off of back-to-back state championships so she knows what it takes to be successful and she plays for one of the top clubs in the country when it comes down to teaching the game of volleyball and character. We are very excited to add Kelsie to our Bobcat family."
Goroski preps at Desert Vista High School, which is the same program that produced current Bobcat setter Sydney Mathison. This fall, Desert Vista posted a 23-18 overall mark and a fifth place state finish. During her tenure with the Thunder, Goroski's squads have notched a 97-21 mark.
"The Bobcat volleyball program got another good one in Lex," Riley said. "She brings a ton of charisma, passion, fire, and intensity to the court, which is really going to help set the tone in our gym every day. Lex is one of those players that everyone is just going to love to play with and enjoy being around."
Goroski, who served as team captain this season, was an All-City honorable mention choice. In 2015, she was part of the Desert Vista team that won the 6A state title and was ranked among the nation's top ten.
"I started watching her back while I was coaching at Utah and she is one of those players that your eyes are just always drawn to," Riley stated. "She is super quick, disciplined in her defensive reads, a great vocal leader on the court, and one that just loves to compete. Speaking with her coaches she is someone that exudes what it means to be a great teammate. She has a great work ethic, is selfless, and just flat out gives everything that she can for her team."
Goroski also played with the East Valley Juniors Volleyball Club that finished 11th in the national division in 2016. EVJ also placed 14th in the 2015 open division and third in 2014.
"Lex comes from very successful junior programs in which the coaching, level of play, and level of commitment have prepared her very well for this next step in her career," Riley said. "We are excited to get her here soon."
Signing with MSU are Hannah Scott, a 5-11 outside hitter from Hawthorne, Calif., and Kelsie White, a 6-4 middle blocker from Layton, Utah. In addition, Alexis Goroski, 5-3 libero from Phoenix, Ariz., has accepted an offer of admission to Montana State and will join the Bobcats as a preferred walk-on for next season.
Scott, who preps at Mira Costa High School, helped guide the Mustangs to a 28-9 overall mark this season. During her tenure at MCHS the squad recorded a 106-32 ledger. A four-time scholar-athlete and a three-year letterwinner, Scott paced Mira Costa to a Bay League title and a CIF semifinal appearance this fall.
"We are very excited to welcome Hannah to the Bobcat volleyball program and the MSU family," Riley said. "Hannah brings a wealth of experience and volleyball knowledge to our program as she has played for some of the top programs during her junior years. Her high school, Mira Costa, is regarded as a powerhouse and one of the top volleyball programs not only in southern California but in the country."
As a member of the Southern California Volleyball Club she has been part of numerous championship teams, including the 2016 Ann Kang Tournament in Hawai'i.
"Currently, Hannah is playing her club volleyball for SCVC and is under the guidance of some great coaches and people," Riley stated. "I personally know her coaches and directors so I know that she is being taught the right things on the court as well as being taught all of the intangibles that make players great. I think one of the most important things, is we know we are getting a great person in Hannah as she has a great family, great coaches, and mentors that have all helped shape her growth.
"Hannah is a strong six rotation player that can play on either pin, has great ball control, a high volleyball I.Q., a strong work ethic, and is a fierce competitor," Riley added. "She is very health conscience and understands that it takes living a certain lifestyle to become your best and she is committed to that path. We are excited to get her here next year and to have her a part of this program."
White, who preps at Bountiful High School, helped guide the Braves to their second consecutive Utah 4A state title this fall posting an overall mark of 31-2. White led Utah 4A in blocks and hitting percentage as a three-year starter. Bountiful also garnered its third straight Region 5 championship.
"Kelsie is a great addition to our program not only from the volleyball standpoint as she is a strong, high flying middle blocker, but she is also an amazing person," Riley said. "She is one of those athletes that plays high above the net as she is touching around 10-5, which will put her as one of the highest jumpers in the conference. Her size and athleticism are definitely going to help us elevate this program and help us in our blocking and offensive categories tremendously."
For her efforts, White was a 2015 Second-Team Utah All-State selection, after being an all-state honorable mention choice in 2014. The 2016 all-state squad has not been announced.
"On top of her ability to help us on the court, Kelsie is going to help us cultivate our culture as she is a great teammate, cares about others, and wants to be great," Riley added. "She will represent this program, athletic department, University, and wonderful town of Bozeman to the highest standard. Kelsie is coming off of back-to-back state championships so she knows what it takes to be successful and she plays for one of the top clubs in the country when it comes down to teaching the game of volleyball and character. We are very excited to add Kelsie to our Bobcat family."
Goroski preps at Desert Vista High School, which is the same program that produced current Bobcat setter Sydney Mathison. This fall, Desert Vista posted a 23-18 overall mark and a fifth place state finish. During her tenure with the Thunder, Goroski's squads have notched a 97-21 mark.
"The Bobcat volleyball program got another good one in Lex," Riley said. "She brings a ton of charisma, passion, fire, and intensity to the court, which is really going to help set the tone in our gym every day. Lex is one of those players that everyone is just going to love to play with and enjoy being around."
Goroski, who served as team captain this season, was an All-City honorable mention choice. In 2015, she was part of the Desert Vista team that won the 6A state title and was ranked among the nation's top ten.
"I started watching her back while I was coaching at Utah and she is one of those players that your eyes are just always drawn to," Riley stated. "She is super quick, disciplined in her defensive reads, a great vocal leader on the court, and one that just loves to compete. Speaking with her coaches she is someone that exudes what it means to be a great teammate. She has a great work ethic, is selfless, and just flat out gives everything that she can for her team."
Goroski also played with the East Valley Juniors Volleyball Club that finished 11th in the national division in 2016. EVJ also placed 14th in the 2015 open division and third in 2014.
"Lex comes from very successful junior programs in which the coaching, level of play, and level of commitment have prepared her very well for this next step in her career," Riley said. "We are excited to get her here soon."
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's VolleyballWednesday, January 18
Monday, November 15
Saturday, September 04
Friday, September 03
