BELTON, Texas- On Tuesday, the UMHB beach volleyball program, head coached by Mark Pryor, released its 2021 recruiting class, the first in program history.
The UMHB beach volleyball program is set to debut in the spring of 2022, with its first match slated for February 25th at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Beach volleyball is currently a multi-division NCAA sport, with teams competing against Div. I, Div. II and Div. III programs. With the addition of UMHB, the state of Texas now has seven NCAA-member beach volleyball programs.
A look at the incoming class, along with quotes from Pryor on each signee, as were provided by the UMHB Athletics Department:
Transfers:
Addison Mints
Height: 5’6
Hometown/High School/Previous College: Mansfield, Texas/Southwest Christian High School/LeTourneau University
Pryor on Mints: “Addison is a multi-position player who can set and play defense. She has a lot of experience with first and second contact and that should translate nicely to beach. Addison is a pretty cerebral kid who will transition quickly to beach.”
High School signees:
Shelby Broekhuizen
Height: 5’3
Hometown/High School: Florence, Texas/Florence High School
Pryor on Broekhuizen: “Shelby is a really quick defender and I think if we partner her with the right split blocker, she will have the potential to really score points for us. Her platform skills are solid and that is vital for success in the sand. “
Cami Davis
Height: 5’7
Hometown/High School: San Marcos, Texas/Hill Country Christian School
Pryor on Davis: “Cami is a multi-sport athlete. She has good lateral speed and good vision. She also has a great work ethic that will really help her transition into embracing the beach side of volleyball quickly.”
Maggie Dixon
Height: 5’8
Hometown/High School: Sunnyvale, Texas/Sunnyvale High School
Pryor on Dixon: “Maggie is one of those players who could set or hit. Her versatility will help as she transitions to beach play. Maggie could end up being a defender or a blocker and her overall volleyball IQ will be really vital for our overall success. “
Anna Guidry
Height: 5’10
Hometown/High School: Houston, Texas/Westside High School
Pryor on Guidry: Anna has really good length and I’m excited about her ability to be a presence at the net for us. She could play on either side of the court and attack well. As she improves her back-row play, she is going to be a really good competitor for us.”
Payton HarrisÂ
Height: 5’9
Hometown/High School: Houston, Texas/Cypress Creek High School
Pryor on Harris: “Payton was a right side in high school who can hit the ball really well. I look for her to be a solid player for us as she continues to develop her overall game. She will be good for us on or off the net.“
Avery Mercer
Height: 5’10
Hometown/High School: Hutto, Texas/Hutto High School
Pryor on Mercer: “Avery is a multi-skill player. She is able to set and hit and that will help aid her development as a beach player. I’m looking forward to seeing her grow. She has a lot of potential to be a really solid beach player.”
Gracie NicholsÂ
Height: 5’8
Hometown/High School: Granbury, Texas/Granbury High School
Pryor on Nichols: “Gracie already has a good amount of experience as a beach player. She will definitely be able to compete immediately against anyone on our schedule. People will really enjoy watching Gracie play. She is a skilled player who really understands the overall game.”
Aliana Rojas
Height: 5’5
Hometown/High School: Victoria, Texas/Victoria West High School
Pryor on Rojas: “Aliana has a good amount of beach experience and she is just a really great athlete with great lateral quickness. I could see her developing into an elite defender. She has a great motor and is a player who is fun to watch.”
Olivia Sherbert
Height: 5’9
Hometown/High School: Richardson, Texas/Richardson High School
Pryor on Sherbert: Â “Olivia is another six-rotation outside that is transitioning to beach. Her arm swing and platform skills should translate well. She could develop into a solid net presence for us on both offense and defense.“
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