University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Volleyball Brings 2020 Recruiting Class to Three Members
1/27/2020 3:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Women's Volleyball Coach Stephanie Radecki has announced the addition of two transfers to the Golden Eagles' 2020 squad. Duluth, Minn. native Sierra Bolen and Manhattan, Kan. native Kenzie Smith round out the class with Mentor High School senior Maddie Stayer who signed on National Signing Day in November.
"We are so excited about these three student-athletes," Radecki said. "Our staff is confident that they can make an immediate impact on our program."
Welcome to Hattiesburg 👊 We've added two transfers to our squad!
— Southern Miss VB (@SouthernMissVB) January 25, 2020
📍Kansas State ✈️ Southern Miss
📍UIC ✈️ Southern Miss#SMTTT | #Courage2Change pic.twitter.com/Zk8Vu4pOM1
🚨📝SIGNED📝🚨
— Southern Miss VB (@SouthernMissVB) November 13, 2019
Welcome to the family, @maddiestayer12 😎
🔥 First 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ signee
🔥 All-District
🔥 All-GCC#SMTTT | #Courage2Change pic.twitter.com/YToJhpZbr8
Radecki on Sierra Bolen
"Sierra is dynamic, versatile, and has a great one-foot takeoff. We are excited to train her in the middle and at the pin. We are so excited to have her with us this Spring."
Bolen, a middle hitter, comes to Hattiesburg after spending her first two seasons at Illinois-Chicago. In her redshirt freshman campaign with the Flames, Bolen had a season-best two kills against Eastern Washington in late August. In limited attacking attempts, Bolen leaves UIC with a hitting clip that sits at .667.
Bolen left the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' as one of the most decorated players in Hermantown High School history. She led the Hawks to four-straight Lake Superior Conference titles and two state tournament appearances. Bolen earned all-area and all-conference honors as a junior and senior while earning academic all-state honors four consecutive seasons. As a sophomore, Bolen delivered the final kill in the sectional finals to send Hermantown to the state tournament for the first time in 20 years.
Radecki on Kenzie Smith
"Kenzie is hungry. She has a great understanding of the college game and is a strong setter. She will be a huge asset for us this spring and as we continue to build on our young roster from the fall."
Smith, a setter, joins the Golden Eagles after spending two seasons at Kansas State. The former defensive specialist appeared in four matches for the Wildcats as a redshirt freshman but did not register any statistics. She was a two-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll honoree.
At Manhattan High School, Smith guided the Indians to three consecutive state tournament appearances en route to setting a single-season record with 983 assists in her junior campaign. Putting her name on the map, Smith was a two-time all-state honoree, two-time all-league honoree, and earned state all-tournament team honors. She was also selected as a KVA All-Star game participant in 2018. Smith earned all-league honors in softball as a freshman and sophomore. Michael Smith, her father, is the wide receivers coach at Kentucky.
Radecki on Maddie Stayer
"Maddie is a very talented setter and can also be utilized as an attacker. She has been trained and is ready for the collegiate atmosphere. She can run a fast tempo offense and be an offensive threat."
Stayer, a setter, comes to Southern Miss by way of Mentor High School in Mentor, Ohio. The two-time team captain registered 652 assists, 255 kills, and 71 aces as a senior. In her junior campaign, the Cleveland, Ohio native tallied 353 assists, 78 kills, 25 aces, and 24 blocks. Her success earned her All-Conference Honorable Mention. Stayer played club volleyball for AVC Cleveland-Rox.
For all of the latest Southern Miss volleyball news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss volleyball Twitter account (@SouthernMissVB), Instagram account (@southernmisssvb) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Volleyball).
