ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Oakland volleyball head coach
Rob Beam announced Wednesday the addition of four student-athletes during the fall signing period. Ryan Allor, Haley Brown, Avolyn Lepo and Madison Ross will join the the Golden Grizzlies next season.
"I think our 2019 class is an outstanding one, with the opportunity to be one of our best ever," said Beam. "In these four we were able to address our positional needs, while adding height, athleticism, skill, and the intangible qualities that have made them winners at the scholastic and club level. Each of them are bright, academically successfully, and outstanding women of character. They are a great fit for our program and our culture."
Ryan Allor
Rochester Hills, Mich.
Rochester HS
Highlights
- Three-time all-conference selection from 2016-18.
- All-region selection in 2018.
- AAU all-star selection in 2017.
- 2016 Oakland Activities Association Champion.
- Played for Legacy Volleyball Club, Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy and Oakland Elite Volleyball Club.
- Her club team placed fifth at AAU Nationals in 2017.
Beam on Allor: "I have known Ryan since she first came to camp as a fifth-grader so it is fitting that she is our first-ever early enrollee. She will bring a tenacity to our defense, excellent serve reception, and a fiery attitude that is contagious. More than just her technical skill, she is a playmaker and is at the center of everything on the court."
Haley Brown
Springboro, Ohio
Springboro HS
Highlights
- Three-time conference and sectional champion as well as a three-time district runner up.
- Three-time USA Volleyball Ohio Valley Region (OVR) champion.
- Four-time all-conference selection and three-time first-team all-district selection.
- District 15 Division I Player of the Year in 2016.
- Holds school records in career kills (1,030) and service aces (206) while also setting the single-season record in kills with 329.
- Recorded over 1,000 kills and digs (1,083) in her high school career.
- Four-time Scholar Athlete Award recipient.
- Played for Elevation Volleyball Club, where her teams placed first or second in the OVR finals for six years straight.
Beam on Brown: "Haley is extremely versatile and plays the whole game well. As an outside hitter she has a range of shots and can challenge blockers. She also has outstanding ball control starting with her platform control. She is very accurate in reception and plays outstanding defense. I love her competitiveness and readiness to compete against anyone."
Avolyn Lepo
Grand Haven, Mich.
Grand Haven HS
Highlights
- Three-time district champion from 2016-18.
- Under Armour All-America Watchlist and Nominee.
- All-conference and all-region selection in 2018.
- Played for the Michigan Volleyball Academy AAU team from 2015-19.
Beam on Lepo: "Avolyn has the potential to be the next great Golden Grizzlies middle blocker. She moves well laterally and can elevate. Her blocking instincts are excellent and she has the potential to take over a match offensively. With fellow Grand Haven High School alumna
Krysteena Davis graduating, we will be counting on her to impact the team early on."
Madison Ross
Roanoke, Ind.
Bishop Dwenger HS
Highlights
- Three-time sectional champion from 2016-18 and 2016 regional champion.
- Two-time Summit Athletic Conference Champion in 2017 and 2018.
- All-state in 2018.
- Recipient of the 2017 Glass Spike Award by the Journal Gazette.
- Three-time first-team from 2016-18.
- Finished her high school career with 3,057 career sets.
Beam on Ross: "Madison is a very talented setter. She has a great feel for the game and running an offense. She finds the middle well and can run a variety of sets from pin-to-pin from distance. Her serving and blocking will also be a huge point scoring advantage for us. Finally, every team she has been on has been made better through her leadership."
#WEARtheBEAR
