Wittenberg Women’s Volleyball Adds Six for 2020 Fall Season

Wittenberg University Volleyball Head Coach Evelyn Carus-Miller announces the addition of six high school athletes that have committed to play for the Wittenberg University volleyball team this Fall. These outstanding athletes will be a part of Wittenberg's Class of 2024 and will begin their career as Tigers in the Fall of 2020.

The newest additions to the volleyball team include: Nicole Belanger, Emmie Jackson, Mullaney Yoder, Mackenzie Ricketts, Tyler Linkhart, and Caroline Dillard. Coach Carus-Miller says, "We are eager to bring in this talented class this fall. With COVID-19 affecting our ability to practice and be together this past spring season, we are excited for fall to get started with these outstanding players."

Belanger is a 5'7" libero from Cincinnati, Ohio. In her time at Mercy McAuley High School, Belanger graduated with first honors, as well as being a student ambassador and a part of the Key Club. In her volleyball career, she was a 2019 senior showcase participant and led her team to several important victories in highly competitive volleyball matches. "Nicole is a very talented libero who is powerful, savvy, and competitive. She brings positive leadership and encouragement to her team, which Wittenberg Volleyball is excited to experience," Coach Carus-Miller says.

Jackson is a 5'6" libero from Troy, Ohio. During her time at Troy High School, Jackson was a MVL All-Conference Second Team athlete, leading her team to the MVL League Championship. Jackson was the Vice President of the Business Club and a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Science Club, Reading Buddies, Educators Rising, Club Volleyball, Varsity Volleyball, and partook in volunteer work in her downtime. Carus-Miller says, "We are excited to have a kid like Emmie. She is the energizer bunny of every team she has been on… her energy is so contagious. She's extremely athletic and fast, which is something that will add a lot of value to our team in the fall."

Yoder is a 5'9" middle hitter coming to the Wittenberg Volleyball program from Bellefontaine High School, in Bellefontaine, Ohio. During her high school reign, she graduated with an honors diploma, was a four-year OHSVCA Academic Award Recipient, 2018 & 2019 Bellefontaine High School Offensive Player of the Year, and a three-year varsity letter award-winner. Yoder was First-Team CBC, District 9, Division II First Team, was a senior representative in the District 9 State All-Star match, and a member of Key and Agape Club. Carus-Miller says, "Mullaney has a vertical and arm speed that is unmatched. Her smile and personality are infectious and we know that she is a great fit for this program… she will make a huge impact on our program during her time here at Witt."

Ricketts is a 5'7" setter from Cincinnati, Ohio. In her time at Little Miami High School, Ricketts was involved in the Student Athletic Leadership Team, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District 15, and Academic All-Conference. Coach Carus-Miller says, "We are excited to bring in a setter as talented as Mackenzie. She is a strong, fierce setter that caught our eye about two years ago during our recruiting process. We are eager to add another setter on our roster and call Mackenzie a Tiger."

Linkhart is a 6'0" right side hitter from Yellow Springs, Ohio. At Yellow Springs High School, Linkhart graduated Cum Laude while being involved with the National Honor Society. She also partook in the Charlotte Drake Philanthropy Committee, the Student Review Board, and the United States Society. Linkhart earned First Team honors all four years during her volleyball career, as well as being a part of the Southwest District Board First Team and Senior All-Star Team, and was the Metro Buckeye Conference Player of the Year in 2019. "Tyler has had a connection to Wittenberg Volleyball for a long time and understands our program's culture, which we're very much looking forward to. She will challenge our team with her consistent block and aggressive, crafty swing," Coach Carus-Miller said.

Dillard is a 6'0" middle hitter from Milford, Ohio. During her time at Walnut Hills High School, Dillard graduated with honors and was a member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team, Community Action Team, and the Youth Philanthropy Council. Dillard also was a part of the District 16 Senior All-Stars and Academic Awards. "Bringing in another middle in this 2020 class was essential for our program… Caroline came to us fairly late in our recruiting process but turned out to be a perfect fit for Witt. She is dynamic and brings a great presence as a team leader, and we are looking forward to having another player like this in our program," said Coach Carus-Miller.

The Tigers are coming off of a 15-11 season, after claiming their 14th straight regular-season North Coast Athletic Conference title and appearing in the NCAA tournament for the 25th time in program history. Head Coach Carus-Miller is entering her third season at the helm of the Wittenberg volleyball program, along with Hadley Sterett, entering her second season as the program's graduate assistant. The Tigers Volleyball team is set to start the 2020 Campaign on September 4th, at the Ohio Northern Invitational.