ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – In the midst of a historic season, the No. 21 UCF volleyball team took a brief moment to look toward the future on Wednesday afternoon, as head coach Todd Dagenais announced his 2019 recruiting class, featuring four players from the high school ranks.
“I think the youth movement continues,” Dagenais said. “It’s been a theme around here. We’re certainly adding to our size, athletic ability, ability and depth. If you want to maintain the type of success we’ve had, you must have those qualities. We feel like we turned a corner this year. The only way to continue to advance to where we want to go is to grow deeper and more talented.
“I really think that Jenny Maurer is a magician when it comes to recruiting,” Dagenais added. “She does things that a lot of recruiting coordinators are not able to accomplish. She’s loaded our locker room with talent that can compete on the national stage. She did it again with another home run class for us. Because of her tireless recruiting efforts in building relationships with people all across the country, we’re really in a nice position for several years to come.:
After adding the setting sisters of Erin Olson and Amber Olson, Dagenais and his staff brought in a second set of sisters in twins Morghan and MaKenzie Chambers, who play outside and right side, respectively. The duo will be joined by middle Megan Lively and setter Dresi Pass to round out the 2019 recruiting class.
Morgan Chambers | 6’2 | OH | Dallas, Texas
• Two-year letterwinner at Cedar Hill High School.
• Recorded nearly three kills per set at a .241 attack percentage and led the team in digs as a senior.
• Earned First Team All-District honors and DFW Player of the Week laurels several times.
• Lettered in track & field as a freshman.
• Plans to major in communications.
Dagenais on Morghan…
She takes us back to the outside days of Angelica Crump. She’s someone with a lot of height and a great ability to jump. She has an incredibly high contact point with a lot of power. I think she’s one of those people who can come in and push right away. We’re going to improve her all-around game to get it college ready. Her type of athleticism is not the type of thing that grows on trees. Those players have an impact pretty early.
MaKenzie Chambers | 6’0 | RS | Dallas, Texas
• Won one letter for the Longhorns.
• Connected on three kills per set with a .281 clip at the net and averaged 1.8 blocks per set as a senior.
• Helped Cedar Hill go 17-16 in 2018 and reach the 6A Regions 1&3 Bi-District round.
• Major is undecided.
Dagenais on MaKenzie…
She’s a very versatile player who can play middle and right side. She reminds me a lot of Abbie Fleener and how she plays the game in a versatile way. She’s going to give our opponents fits trying to defend her. An athlete with such great versatility like hers is priceless. We’re looking forward to seeing how she develops.
Megan Lively | 6’3 | MB | Ankeny, Iowa
• Two-year letterwinner at Ankeny Centennial High School.
• Guided the Jaguars to the 2018 Class 5A Iowa State Championship, totaled a trio of solo blocks in the final match.
• Powered home 101 kills and 95 blocks as a senior.
• Won three state titles in four years at Ankeny Centennial.
• Totaled 124 kills and turned away 68 attacks during junior campaign that ended as a state semifinalist.
• Planning to major in health sciences.
Dagenais on Lively…
Megan gives us a huge presence in the middle. She has a huge wing span. She’s really quick for her size. She’s incredibly athletic with the ability to score, block and do everything that we need a middle to do. She makes us better on both sides of the net the minute she sets foot on the floor.
Dresi Pass | 5’9 | S | Chaska, Minn.
• Three-year letterwinner at Minnetonka High School.
• Guided the Skippers to the 2018 2AAA Minnesota State Championship Match.
• Tabbed a team captain prior to senior season.
• Totaled 824 assists with 43 aces and 257 digs as a senior.
• Garnered All-Conference and All-Section laurels as a junior.
• Plans on majoring in business.
Dagenais on Pass…
The other position that we really need depth in is at setter. Dresi will come in and give us a depth. If we’re running a 6-2 and continue to do that, and someone gets hurt, you’re stuck running a 5-1 that you’re not comfortable in. She has a high level of experience. She’s a competitor and a fighter. She really understands the game well.
The 2018 Knights are on a 21-match winning streak and earned a share of the American Athletic Conference title. UCF will hit the road this weekend for matches at Houston and SMU.
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