Eastern Michigan Athletics
Foeman Inks Seven to 2024 Roster
5/10/2024 12:56:00 PM | Volleyball
All seven signees arrive as incoming freshman
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University Head Volleyball Coach Kevin Foeman announced the addition of seven student-athletes to the team's 2024 campaign roster Monday, May 13. Making their way to Ypsilanti as incoming freshmen are Isabella Demers (Maumee, Ohio/Maumee), Anna Guard (Burlington, Ky./St. Henry District), Taeley Mahler (Fort Wayne, Ind. /Homestead), Taylor Smith (Pewamo, Mich./Pewamo-Westphalia), Rylee Szyszka (Belleville, Ill./Weatmont), Wrigley Takats (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg), and Hatteras Welker (Sunbury, Ohio/Big Walnut).
"After an incredibly successful spring season filled with tremendous growth in many areas, I am ready to see how our incoming athletes, freshmen and transfers, will impact the trajectory of our program," said Foeman. "Highlighting the incoming freshmen first: The class of 2024 is full of energetic and confident athletes looking to make their mark and be a part of a hardworking, blue collar program".
Joining the Eagles from Maumee, Ohio is Isabella Demers.
"Bella was highly recommended as a team first, high character, all effort player," said Foeman. "She fits in well with this class, and her first priority is the team. Bella is calm in the back row but still makes sure her presence is felt with her energy and leadership. She is a natural passer who is constantly improving her defense".
Arriving in Ypsilanti from Burlington, Ky., is Anna Guard.
"Due to her dynamic nature, Anna has the ability to play every front row position, but has seen the most time as a middle blocker," continued Foeman. "Anna has a very strong and fast arm, often helping her beat the block on the opposing side. Her speed and quickness will allow her to adjust to our quick tempo, giving her the ability to impact the level of play in our gym immediately and fight for playing time. Anna and her club team have been having an incredibly successful season, and I am looking forward to seeing it translate into our gym".
Hailing from Fort Wayne, Ind., Taeley Mahler joins the Eagles for the 2024 campaign.
"Taeley is an athlete who is equally as talented in the front row as she is in the back," Foeman mentioned. "She has a natural passing platform, great posture in defense, and is a lengthy offensive attacker with a great vertical that will project well in the MAC. I like Taeley's ability and willingness to play wherever she is needed, and I anticipate her making an impact quickly in our program. She has a team first attitude, and will push for playing time early in her career".
2023 Miss Michigan Award winner, Taylor Smith joins the Eagles as an incoming freshman.
"Accolades aside, although she certainly has plenty of them, Taylor was one of our first commitments when we got the job," says Foeman. "She is a player you can build a program around, and is an athlete who is constantly improving. She played under some great coaches, including Eric Lazowski, who is an incredibly talented setting coach that has molded Taylor into a consistent and fundamentally sound setter. Taylor is ready to run an offense, and I am excited to see how Taylor adapts to our system".
Trekking from Illinois, Rylee Szyszka arrives to EMU as an incoming freshman.
"Rylee is a great passing defender with a gritty mindset," said Foeman. "She has a natural platform, and smooth footwork. She fits into our defensive scheme, with her calmness and ability to see the court in the back row. Her serve receive is a strength of hers that will allow her to adapt quickly to the high level serves we see. Her mindset, selflessness and coachability will give her the opportunity to learn and compete".
Coming from Perrysburg, Ohio is Wrigley Takats.
"Wrigley has great size and a strong arm, which led her to have a very productive senior year that highlighted her progress as a strong offensive player," Foeman contributed. "She comes from an athletic family, and knows how to work hard. She has great footwork, and is ready to compete at the next level".
Lastly, Hatteras Welker joins EMU for the 2024 season as an incoming rookie.
"As a strong middle blocker, Hattie plays for one of the premier club teams in the country," said Foeman. "Her experience in club ball coupled with her presence at the net offensively and defensively, gives her a chance to compete immediately. Hattie puts up a very good block, and has a knack for finding ways to score. Her size and motor give her an advantage and I believe she will fit in well with a Mid-American Conference loaded with talented middle blockers".
All seven incoming freshman will join previously-announced Ella Voorhees and Kaili Doctor for the upcoming 2024 fall season.
"I believe these athletes are ready to compete and push this program forward into the 2024 campaign. We attempted to bring in athletes who are coachable and uphold a team first mentality, so I am confident their impact as a whole will be felt quickly," Foeman shared.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU volleyball, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUVolleyball.
"After an incredibly successful spring season filled with tremendous growth in many areas, I am ready to see how our incoming athletes, freshmen and transfers, will impact the trajectory of our program," said Foeman. "Highlighting the incoming freshmen first: The class of 2024 is full of energetic and confident athletes looking to make their mark and be a part of a hardworking, blue collar program".
Joining the Eagles from Maumee, Ohio is Isabella Demers.
"Bella was highly recommended as a team first, high character, all effort player," said Foeman. "She fits in well with this class, and her first priority is the team. Bella is calm in the back row but still makes sure her presence is felt with her energy and leadership. She is a natural passer who is constantly improving her defense".
Arriving in Ypsilanti from Burlington, Ky., is Anna Guard.
"Due to her dynamic nature, Anna has the ability to play every front row position, but has seen the most time as a middle blocker," continued Foeman. "Anna has a very strong and fast arm, often helping her beat the block on the opposing side. Her speed and quickness will allow her to adjust to our quick tempo, giving her the ability to impact the level of play in our gym immediately and fight for playing time. Anna and her club team have been having an incredibly successful season, and I am looking forward to seeing it translate into our gym".
Hailing from Fort Wayne, Ind., Taeley Mahler joins the Eagles for the 2024 campaign.
"Taeley is an athlete who is equally as talented in the front row as she is in the back," Foeman mentioned. "She has a natural passing platform, great posture in defense, and is a lengthy offensive attacker with a great vertical that will project well in the MAC. I like Taeley's ability and willingness to play wherever she is needed, and I anticipate her making an impact quickly in our program. She has a team first attitude, and will push for playing time early in her career".
2023 Miss Michigan Award winner, Taylor Smith joins the Eagles as an incoming freshman.
"Accolades aside, although she certainly has plenty of them, Taylor was one of our first commitments when we got the job," says Foeman. "She is a player you can build a program around, and is an athlete who is constantly improving. She played under some great coaches, including Eric Lazowski, who is an incredibly talented setting coach that has molded Taylor into a consistent and fundamentally sound setter. Taylor is ready to run an offense, and I am excited to see how Taylor adapts to our system".
Trekking from Illinois, Rylee Szyszka arrives to EMU as an incoming freshman.
"Rylee is a great passing defender with a gritty mindset," said Foeman. "She has a natural platform, and smooth footwork. She fits into our defensive scheme, with her calmness and ability to see the court in the back row. Her serve receive is a strength of hers that will allow her to adapt quickly to the high level serves we see. Her mindset, selflessness and coachability will give her the opportunity to learn and compete".
Coming from Perrysburg, Ohio is Wrigley Takats.
"Wrigley has great size and a strong arm, which led her to have a very productive senior year that highlighted her progress as a strong offensive player," Foeman contributed. "She comes from an athletic family, and knows how to work hard. She has great footwork, and is ready to compete at the next level".
Lastly, Hatteras Welker joins EMU for the 2024 season as an incoming rookie.
"As a strong middle blocker, Hattie plays for one of the premier club teams in the country," said Foeman. "Her experience in club ball coupled with her presence at the net offensively and defensively, gives her a chance to compete immediately. Hattie puts up a very good block, and has a knack for finding ways to score. Her size and motor give her an advantage and I believe she will fit in well with a Mid-American Conference loaded with talented middle blockers".
All seven incoming freshman will join previously-announced Ella Voorhees and Kaili Doctor for the upcoming 2024 fall season.
"I believe these athletes are ready to compete and push this program forward into the 2024 campaign. We attempted to bring in athletes who are coachable and uphold a team first mentality, so I am confident their impact as a whole will be felt quickly," Foeman shared.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU volleyball, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMUVolleyball.
Players Mentioned
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