Missouri Western volleyball Coach Marian Carbin has announced the signing of three student athletes for the 2015-2016 school year.

Shellby Taylor led Blue Valley West High School in Stillwell, Kansas, in kills, hitting percentage and kills per set, hitting .475 as a senior. She is a two-year starter and was named honorable mention Eastern Kansas League in 2014. She has also been a part of two national qualifying teams.

“Shellby is a very gifted athlete. She is capable of playing multiple positions at the collegiate level, but we will look for her to play as an outside hitter,” Carbin said. “In addition to being an excellent blocker, Shellby will add height to our roster at the outside hitter position. In recruiting Shellby we love the attitude that she will bring to our team. She is a great teammate and a great competitor.”

The daughter of Joe and Melissa Taylor intends to major in nursing at MWSU. Taylor chose MWSU because she felt a personal connection with the staff and team members.

Audrey Keim played volleyball at Millard South in Omaha, Nebraska. The daughter of John and Faith Keim, she is undecided on a major at Missouri Western. Keim was an Academic All-State selection and a member of the National Honor Society and Leo Club. She says she chose MWSU because the team members are very inviting and says she loves the campus.

“Audrey has great volleyball instincts and a high court IQ, which we know will serve her well in transitioning from being an outside hitter in high school to being a libero/defensive specialist at the collegiate level,” Carbin said. “She has great passing ability in serve receive, and we think she will adapt well to the style of defense that we run. ”

Rachel Friedrichs was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Andale High School in Andale, Kansas. She was named to the All-State Tournament team and first team All-League. The 6-2 Friedrichs has also lettered twice in basketball at Andale.

“Rachel will be a great addition to our middle blocker position,” Carbin said. “She is tall and has a long reach, and she also has good footwork all of which contribute to her strong blocking abilities. Rachel is also a multi-sport high school athlete, which speaks to her athleticism and desire to compete at everything she does.”

Friedrichs is the daughter of Robin and Paula Friedrichs and plans on majoring in Biology at MWSU. She said the biology department and coaching staff were big factors in her decision to choose Missouri Western.

The three will join a squad coming off its best season in more than 15 years. The Griffons won more MIAA matches (16) than any team in school history and won more overall (22) than any team since 1998. Six Griffons were named All-MIAA, including three first team selections. Seniors Erica Rottinghaus and Sarah Faubel were also named fist team CoSIDA Academic All-District.

— MWSU Sports Information —