Eastern Michigan Athletics
Volleyball Welcomes 2022-23 Newcomers
6/25/2022 9:30:00 AM | Volleyball
The program added four true freshman and three transfer student-athletes
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University volleyball program and Head Coach Darcy Dorton announced the signing of seven newcomers to the team's roster for the upcoming 2022 season. Four freshman and three transfer student-athletes officially join the team today, June 25.
The following are biographical sketches for each of EMU's newest additions.
Jess Wilson Outside Hitter 5-11 Freshman Kirtland, Ohio-Lake Catholic
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Lake Catholic High School and played for head coach Kara Oster…Was a four-year letterwinner…Helped team finish 22-6 her senior year...Reached 500 kills...Named an all-district first team and and Second Team All-Ohio honoree…Named team MVP...Crown Conference first team and News Herald first team selection…Crown Conference Champion in 2021…Appeared in the state Final Four in 2018 and again in 2021…Also played for Eastside Volleyball and the AVC under head coach Paul Schiffer…Made the all-tournament Team for 16's and open qualified for 18's…Team finished 13th in the country in 2022…PERSONAL: Full Name: Jessica Irene Wilson…Daughter of John and Angela Gleason… Career goal is to become an occupational therapist…Exercise science major.
Carlina Bender Defensive Specialist 5-5 Freshman Hudsonville, Mich.-Hudsonville
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hudsonville High School and played for head coach Stephanie Chenlo…Was a three-year letterwinner and two-time captain…Led team to an impressive 52-3 record senior year with 765 digs and 78 service aces…Named to the all-state second team, all-region, and all-conference teams during her junior year…As a senior, named to the Michigan All-State First Team, all-region, all-conference, and academic all-state teams, respectively…Also became OK Red Conference Champion, district champion, and regional champion senior year… Also played for FarOut 18 Black under head coach Joe Steenhuysen…PERSONAL: Full Name: Carlina Ruby Bender…Daughter of Steve and Danielle Bender…Has two sisters, Milana and Gianna...Supply chain management major.
Emma McMahon Defensive Specialist 5-5 Freshman Monroeville, Ind.-Bellmont
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Bellmont High School and played for head coach Craig Krull…Was a four-year letterwinner and captain…Finished senior season with 25-11 record, collecting 412 digs, 47 assists, and 64 service aces…2020 Junior North All-Star, 2021-22 academic all-state, 2021 3A First Team All-State, 2021-22 all-district, 2021-22 first team all-conference, 2020-21 all-district, 2020-21 first team all-conference, and two-time 3A State runner-up…Also played Munciana Samurai Club team under head coach Mike Lingenfelter…Career goal is to become a Labor and Delivery Nurse. PERSONAL: Full Name: Emma Elizabeth McMahon…Daughter of Tim and Melissa McMahon…Has two sisters, MacKenzie and Lauren...Exercise science major.
Sabrina Gremm Outside Hitter 5-11 Freshman North Royalton, Ohio-Gilmour Academy
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Gilmour Academy and played for head coach Danny Coughlin…Was a three-year letterwinner…Finished senior season with an impressive 25-3 record and 292 kills (3.2 kills per set)…Named second team all-district, and Second Team All-News Herald…Dennis Hoynes Award recipient…Two-time state champion in 2020 and 2021...Also played with the AVC under head coach Meredith Rice…PERSONAL: Full Name: Sabrina Lee Marie Gremm…Daughter of John and Melissa Gremm…Has a sister, Saide...Undecided major.
Callie Minshew Outside Hitter 5-11 Grad Student Brandon, Miss.-Brandon-Mississippi State
EMU: 2022: Joins EMU for the 2022 season...MISSISSIPPI STATE: 2021: Appeared in 25 matches, four starts, playing in 55 sets...Notched 61 kills, 10 aces, 65 digs, and seven blocks (two solo)...Earned a season-high three aces, along with six digs, in a road SEC win over Arkansas, Nov. 21...Totaled nine kills and four digs in a road win over Ole Miss, Oct. 17...Tallied a season-high 12 kills and seven digs in a victory versus South Carolina, Oct. 13...Recorded eight kills, six digs, and two service aces in a win over Jackson State, Sept. 19...Tabbed a season-best nine digs, coupled with four kills in a victory over Indiana, Sept. 9...2020: Appeared in 19 matches with 13 starts…Saw action in 59 sets…Led team in service aces (20) and ranked No. 6 in the SEC (3.67 per set)…Finished No. 3 on the squad in digs (138)…Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, Nov. 9...Named to Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll...2019: Started all 30 matches…One of two Bulldogs to play all 114 sets…Led the team with 29 service aces…Had the most digs (268) of any freshman in the SEC and the third best mark on the team…Finished No. 2 on the squad in kills (255) and points (303.5)…Ended campaign among the top 10 MSU freshmen all-time in three categories; attack attempts (No. 4; 1,027), service aces (tied for No. 8; 29), and kills (No. 9; 255)…Only student-athlete on the team with at least 200 kills and 200 digs…Totaled six double-double performances, the second-highest mark on the team; vs. New Orleans (17 kills, 10 digs), UAB (10 kills, 16 digs), Auburn (11 kills, 15 digs), at LSU (14 kills, 13 digs), at Texas A&M (10 kills, 10 digs) and at Arkansas (12 kills, 13 digs)…Tallied double-digit kills 10 times and 10-plus digs on 13 occasions…Collected season-high 17 kills in back-to-back matches against Western Illinois (Aug. 31) and New Orleans (Sept. 6)…Picked up season-high 16 digs against UAB (Sept. 20)…Had multiple service aces in eight matches…Converted season-best three service aces versus Mississippi Valley State (Aug. 30)…Tabbed to SEC First-Year Honor Roll…Made collegiate debut against Chattanooga (Aug. 30) and had seven kills, seven digs and three blocks…Tallied nine kills and 14 digs in first SEC match at No. 16 Kentucky (Sept. 27)…Led State to victory with a double-double against Auburn (Oct. 25)...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Brandon High School under head coach Kelsa Walker…Led the Bulldogs to back-to-back state championships as a junior and senior…Twice named the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year, as a junior and senior…Two-time Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year, as a sophomore and senior…Earned All-America honors from PrepVolleyball.com as a senior…Named South MVP at the 2019 Mississippi North/South Volleyball All-Star Game…Earned Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention honors…Named to Brandon High School Hall of Fame…Academically, part of the All-A honor roll...PERSONAL: Full Name: Caroline Grace Minshew...Daughter of Flint and Kim Minshew…Father, Flint, played football at Millsaps College (1988-91) and is in the Millsaps Hall of Fame…Has one brother, Gardner, and one sister, Meredith…Brother, Gardner, played football at East Carolina (2016-17) and Washington State University (2018-19), and is currently a quarterback in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles...Major: Pursuing a Master's degree in Sport Management.
Mekayla Koger Middle Blocker 5-8 Sophomore Mansfield, Texas-Lake Ridge-Sam Houston State
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022… SHSU: Transferred from Sam Houston State University after a year with the Bearkats…Played in five matches and eight total sets as a true freshman...had a pair of kills on six swings and a block in match versus North Texas (Sept. 3)… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Lake Ridge High School and played for head coach Amber Huges…Was a three-year letter winner and captain…Senior year stats included 166 kills, 50 solo blocks, and 19 service aces…2019 all-area most improved player of the year … 2019 offensive player of the year … 2019 first team all-district … 2020 team captain … three-time academic all-district selection … 2019 Led her team to USAV Nationals … 2019 finished 13th overall…Finished final season as a six-rotation middle blocker in club ball…PERSONAL: Full Name: MeKayla Chanelle Koger...Daughter of Chris and Bromeka Koger…Has one sister, Kennedy Koger…Career goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse…Public health major.
Emily Surin Outside Hitter 5-11 Sophomore Plainfield, Ill.-Joliet Catholic-Lamar
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022… LU: Transferred from Lamar University after the 2021 season…Appeared in 70 sets, earning 90 kills on 311 swings…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Joliet Catholic Academy and played for head coach Christine Schiebe…Was a three-year letterwinner…Helped team finish 11-8 as a senior, with 1.9 kills per set, 0.258 hitting percentage, 37 blocks, 17 total service aces, and 82 kills…Guided Joliet Catholic to two state semifinal appearances and one championship appearance…East Suburban Catholic Conference All-Conference Selection in 2021 and East Suburban Catholic Conference All-Conference Scholar Athlete in 2020-21 season…Also played for the Sports Performance Volleyball Club for eight years under Head Coach Matt Slechta…2019 AAU Premier National Champion as well as 2021 AAU Club National Champion…PERSONAL: Full Name: Emily Mary Surin…Daughter of Jack and Nancy Surin…Has three brothers, Jack, Ryan, and Tyler…Career goal is to start and own a business…Marketing major.
The following are biographical sketches for each of EMU's newest additions.
Jess Wilson Outside Hitter 5-11 Freshman Kirtland, Ohio-Lake Catholic
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Lake Catholic High School and played for head coach Kara Oster…Was a four-year letterwinner…Helped team finish 22-6 her senior year...Reached 500 kills...Named an all-district first team and and Second Team All-Ohio honoree…Named team MVP...Crown Conference first team and News Herald first team selection…Crown Conference Champion in 2021…Appeared in the state Final Four in 2018 and again in 2021…Also played for Eastside Volleyball and the AVC under head coach Paul Schiffer…Made the all-tournament Team for 16's and open qualified for 18's…Team finished 13th in the country in 2022…PERSONAL: Full Name: Jessica Irene Wilson…Daughter of John and Angela Gleason… Career goal is to become an occupational therapist…Exercise science major.
Carlina Bender Defensive Specialist 5-5 Freshman Hudsonville, Mich.-Hudsonville
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Hudsonville High School and played for head coach Stephanie Chenlo…Was a three-year letterwinner and two-time captain…Led team to an impressive 52-3 record senior year with 765 digs and 78 service aces…Named to the all-state second team, all-region, and all-conference teams during her junior year…As a senior, named to the Michigan All-State First Team, all-region, all-conference, and academic all-state teams, respectively…Also became OK Red Conference Champion, district champion, and regional champion senior year… Also played for FarOut 18 Black under head coach Joe Steenhuysen…PERSONAL: Full Name: Carlina Ruby Bender…Daughter of Steve and Danielle Bender…Has two sisters, Milana and Gianna...Supply chain management major.
Emma McMahon Defensive Specialist 5-5 Freshman Monroeville, Ind.-Bellmont
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Bellmont High School and played for head coach Craig Krull…Was a four-year letterwinner and captain…Finished senior season with 25-11 record, collecting 412 digs, 47 assists, and 64 service aces…2020 Junior North All-Star, 2021-22 academic all-state, 2021 3A First Team All-State, 2021-22 all-district, 2021-22 first team all-conference, 2020-21 all-district, 2020-21 first team all-conference, and two-time 3A State runner-up…Also played Munciana Samurai Club team under head coach Mike Lingenfelter…Career goal is to become a Labor and Delivery Nurse. PERSONAL: Full Name: Emma Elizabeth McMahon…Daughter of Tim and Melissa McMahon…Has two sisters, MacKenzie and Lauren...Exercise science major.
Sabrina Gremm Outside Hitter 5-11 Freshman North Royalton, Ohio-Gilmour Academy
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022 as a first-year… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Gilmour Academy and played for head coach Danny Coughlin…Was a three-year letterwinner…Finished senior season with an impressive 25-3 record and 292 kills (3.2 kills per set)…Named second team all-district, and Second Team All-News Herald…Dennis Hoynes Award recipient…Two-time state champion in 2020 and 2021...Also played with the AVC under head coach Meredith Rice…PERSONAL: Full Name: Sabrina Lee Marie Gremm…Daughter of John and Melissa Gremm…Has a sister, Saide...Undecided major.
Callie Minshew Outside Hitter 5-11 Grad Student Brandon, Miss.-Brandon-Mississippi State
EMU: 2022: Joins EMU for the 2022 season...MISSISSIPPI STATE: 2021: Appeared in 25 matches, four starts, playing in 55 sets...Notched 61 kills, 10 aces, 65 digs, and seven blocks (two solo)...Earned a season-high three aces, along with six digs, in a road SEC win over Arkansas, Nov. 21...Totaled nine kills and four digs in a road win over Ole Miss, Oct. 17...Tallied a season-high 12 kills and seven digs in a victory versus South Carolina, Oct. 13...Recorded eight kills, six digs, and two service aces in a win over Jackson State, Sept. 19...Tabbed a season-best nine digs, coupled with four kills in a victory over Indiana, Sept. 9...2020: Appeared in 19 matches with 13 starts…Saw action in 59 sets…Led team in service aces (20) and ranked No. 6 in the SEC (3.67 per set)…Finished No. 3 on the squad in digs (138)…Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, Nov. 9...Named to Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll...2019: Started all 30 matches…One of two Bulldogs to play all 114 sets…Led the team with 29 service aces…Had the most digs (268) of any freshman in the SEC and the third best mark on the team…Finished No. 2 on the squad in kills (255) and points (303.5)…Ended campaign among the top 10 MSU freshmen all-time in three categories; attack attempts (No. 4; 1,027), service aces (tied for No. 8; 29), and kills (No. 9; 255)…Only student-athlete on the team with at least 200 kills and 200 digs…Totaled six double-double performances, the second-highest mark on the team; vs. New Orleans (17 kills, 10 digs), UAB (10 kills, 16 digs), Auburn (11 kills, 15 digs), at LSU (14 kills, 13 digs), at Texas A&M (10 kills, 10 digs) and at Arkansas (12 kills, 13 digs)…Tallied double-digit kills 10 times and 10-plus digs on 13 occasions…Collected season-high 17 kills in back-to-back matches against Western Illinois (Aug. 31) and New Orleans (Sept. 6)…Picked up season-high 16 digs against UAB (Sept. 20)…Had multiple service aces in eight matches…Converted season-best three service aces versus Mississippi Valley State (Aug. 30)…Tabbed to SEC First-Year Honor Roll…Made collegiate debut against Chattanooga (Aug. 30) and had seven kills, seven digs and three blocks…Tallied nine kills and 14 digs in first SEC match at No. 16 Kentucky (Sept. 27)…Led State to victory with a double-double against Auburn (Oct. 25)...HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Brandon High School under head coach Kelsa Walker…Led the Bulldogs to back-to-back state championships as a junior and senior…Twice named the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year, as a junior and senior…Two-time Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year, as a sophomore and senior…Earned All-America honors from PrepVolleyball.com as a senior…Named South MVP at the 2019 Mississippi North/South Volleyball All-Star Game…Earned Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention honors…Named to Brandon High School Hall of Fame…Academically, part of the All-A honor roll...PERSONAL: Full Name: Caroline Grace Minshew...Daughter of Flint and Kim Minshew…Father, Flint, played football at Millsaps College (1988-91) and is in the Millsaps Hall of Fame…Has one brother, Gardner, and one sister, Meredith…Brother, Gardner, played football at East Carolina (2016-17) and Washington State University (2018-19), and is currently a quarterback in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles...Major: Pursuing a Master's degree in Sport Management.
Mekayla Koger Middle Blocker 5-8 Sophomore Mansfield, Texas-Lake Ridge-Sam Houston State
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022… SHSU: Transferred from Sam Houston State University after a year with the Bearkats…Played in five matches and eight total sets as a true freshman...had a pair of kills on six swings and a block in match versus North Texas (Sept. 3)… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Lake Ridge High School and played for head coach Amber Huges…Was a three-year letter winner and captain…Senior year stats included 166 kills, 50 solo blocks, and 19 service aces…2019 all-area most improved player of the year … 2019 offensive player of the year … 2019 first team all-district … 2020 team captain … three-time academic all-district selection … 2019 Led her team to USAV Nationals … 2019 finished 13th overall…Finished final season as a six-rotation middle blocker in club ball…PERSONAL: Full Name: MeKayla Chanelle Koger...Daughter of Chris and Bromeka Koger…Has one sister, Kennedy Koger…Career goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse…Public health major.
Emily Surin Outside Hitter 5-11 Sophomore Plainfield, Ill.-Joliet Catholic-Lamar
EMU: 2022: One of seven signees to join EMU in the fall 2022… LU: Transferred from Lamar University after the 2021 season…Appeared in 70 sets, earning 90 kills on 311 swings…HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Joliet Catholic Academy and played for head coach Christine Schiebe…Was a three-year letterwinner…Helped team finish 11-8 as a senior, with 1.9 kills per set, 0.258 hitting percentage, 37 blocks, 17 total service aces, and 82 kills…Guided Joliet Catholic to two state semifinal appearances and one championship appearance…East Suburban Catholic Conference All-Conference Selection in 2021 and East Suburban Catholic Conference All-Conference Scholar Athlete in 2020-21 season…Also played for the Sports Performance Volleyball Club for eight years under Head Coach Matt Slechta…2019 AAU Premier National Champion as well as 2021 AAU Club National Champion…PERSONAL: Full Name: Emily Mary Surin…Daughter of Jack and Nancy Surin…Has three brothers, Jack, Ryan, and Tyler…Career goal is to start and own a business…Marketing major.
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballServing up tacos and aces!
Wednesday, October 22
Elite bench squad😤
Monday, October 13
Volleyball Highlights vs. Kent State, Oct. 9, 2025
Friday, October 10
Ava Siefke Career-High 22-Kill Match Highlight
Sunday, October 05