AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University volleyball team gained four new recruits for the upcoming 2017 season. The Jaguars picked up junior transfer Natalia Gouveia and freshmen Ashlynn Hill, Brooklyn Holthaus, and Madeline Weiss. The new commits join five other freshmen who signed in the early signing period in November 2016.
"This incoming class of eight freshman and one junior college transfer is going to be a fun, dynamic, and competitive group of players to watch," head coach Sharon Quarles said. "They are going to complement our returners very nicely. Each of them brings something to the table that we definitely need going into the 2017 season. Whether it is an area where we are graduating a lot of players such as in the libero/DS position, or much needed competition in other positions. These nine players were recruited for just that reason. We have made a concerted effort this year to go after much needed depth to our roster."
Natalia Gouveia (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a junior transfer from Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kans. During her two-year tenure, Gouveia was the third best hitter in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC), Player of the Week for offensive and defensive play, and the Player of the Tournament at the Wranglers Classic in Odessa, Texas.
Ashlyn Hill (North Augusta, S.C.) graduated from North Augusta High School where she lettered in volleyball for all four years. She was named the 2016 and 2015 Offensive MVP of the Year and the All-Region Player of the Year.
Brooklyn Holthaus (Granville, Ohio) graduated from Granville High School in Granville, Ohio, and lettered in all four years of volleyball. She holds the school record for career assists, aces, match assists and season assists. She was named the Player of the Year in 2017 and 2016 and named second team All-State.
Madeline Weiss (Rincon, Ga.) graduated from Effingham County High School in Springfield, Ga., in 2017 and lettered in women's volleyball for four years. She was named the Region 2AAAAAA Player of the Year, a three time first team All-Region selection, and the MVP in 2017 and 2016.
"The 2017 roster for Augusta University volleyball will have 18 players," said Quarles. "For the last two years we finished 10th in the region and the 2015 season we were sixth. Our sights are set for a much higher finish in 2017."
Name: Natalia Gouveia
Position: OH/LIB
Year: Jr.
Height: 5-9
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Previous School: Barton Community College
Name: Ashlyn Hill
Position: MH
Year: Fr.
Height: 5-9
Hometown: North Augusta, S.C.
Previous School: North Augusta HS
Name: Brooklyn Holthaus
Position: S
Year: Fr.
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Granville, Ohio
Previous School: Granville HS
Name: Madeline Weiss
Position: OH/RS
Year: Fr.
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Rincon, Ga.
Previous School: Effingham County HS
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