GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Head coach Sean Burdette and the Green Bay volleyball program is excited to announce the addition of six high school seniors to NLIs for the 2017 season. Burdette signed Anna Eaton (New Prague, Minn.), Taylor Wolf (Waconia, Minn.), Ashley Sledge (Matteson, Ill.), Kristen Paulus (Belgium, Wis.), Roberta Todd (Stoney Creek, Ontario) and Micaela Kent (Modesota, Calif.) to an NLI during the NCAA's early signing period in November.
Green Bay, which enjoyed one of the best seasons in program history in 2016, will graduate three seniors this year and will increase its roster size to 17 student-athletes as of Dec. 1, 2016. Next year's senior class will include Taylor Totka, Lydia DeWeese and Abby Jeffcoat, all of whom were strong contributors this past season.
Here's a look at the 2017 incoming class:
Anna Eaton
New Prague High School
New Prague, Minnesota
Northern Lights Volleyball Club
Plays on the same club team as Taylor Wolf
Burdette: As a highly skilled middle blocker, Anna is both an offensive and defensive threat. Her ability to attack anywhere along the net will put pressure on our opponents blocking systems. Another player that has won multiple National Championships in club, we believe she has the ability to take Green Bay to the next level.
Accolades
2016 All-Conference Team (High School)
2016 Offensive Player of the Year (HS)
2016 MVP (HS)
2016 Broke the record for career blocks (HS)
2015 All-Conference Honorable Mention
2015 Leadership Award
2015 and 2016 3rd at National Championships – Northern Lights Volleyball Club
2014 Open Division National Champions – Northern Lights Volleyball Club
Taylor Wolf
Waconia High School
Waconia, Minnesota
Northern Lights Volleyball Club
Plays on the same club team as Anna Eaton
Burdette: We are excited to bring yet another Wolf to the Green Bay program and start working with Taylor as she will join our team this spring semester. Taylor is another player that will bring a championship drive to the program. Taylor's ability to set and attack at the next level will have a dramatic impact on our program in several ways. She will be able to score points both as an attacker and blocker but also run an effective offense as a setter. She has done both on her club teams that have won multiple National Championships.
Accolades
Four-year participant on Waconia Varsity Volleyball Team
2016 Conference Champions (High School)
2016 All-Conference Team (HS)
2016 Minnesota Player of the Week Award
2016 Old Dutch Player of the Week Award
All Academic Player Awards - Maintained a grade point average of 3.9 or higher
2015 and 2016 3rd Place National Championships– Northern Lights Volleyball Club
2016 MVP Award in Amsterdam Tournament – Northern Lights Volleyball Club
2014 Open Division National Championships– Northern Lights Volleyball Club
Ashley Sledge
Marian Catholic High School
Matteson, Illinois
Ultimate Volleyball Club
Burdette: Ashley was the first one on board in this class and was a big target for us. She brings a new level of athleticism and competitiveness to the middle position. She is very quick laterally, is a fierce competitor and has a very fast arm that will score when attacking in front or behind the setter.
Accolades
4-year varsity member
2016 Illinois State Champions (IHSA Class 3) – key performer for final game
2016 Captain (HS)
Kristen Paulus
Random Lake High School
Belgium, Wisconsin
FC Elite Volleyball Club
Burdette: Kristen, a local talent, is a skilled left handed 6-rotation right side attacker that brings versatility to our offense. I like the fact that she can attack in the front row or back row as well as set the second ball if needed. Kristen has been a leader for both her club and high school teams and will bring that natural ability to Green Bay.
Accolades
4-year varsity starter
2014-2016 1st team All-Conference Unanimously voted (high school)
2014-2016 Captain (HS)
2016 Ranked 5th Nationally in Serving Aces
2016 Reached 1000 digs
2015 Honorable mention All-State (HS)
2015 Reached 1000 kills Junior Year
Current Kill Record for Random Lake HS
High Honor Roll all 4 years
Roberta Todd
Cardinal Newman Catholic High School
Stoney Creek, Ontario
Halton Region Volleyball Club Hurricaines
Burdette: One of the things that first drew us to Roberta was her ability to manufacture points and her outstanding ball control. Roberta is no stranger to competing at the highest level as shown by leading her juniors team to a top-3 finish in the Canadian Junior National Championships. We look for Roberta to come in and impact not only at the net but with her serve receive skills.
Accolades
Honor roll every year of high school
2016 5th at Nationals – Defensa Volleyball Club
2015 5th at Nationals – Defensa Volleyball Club
2015 High School MVP
Previous National All-Star Recipient – Defensa Volleyball Club
2014 3rd at nationals – Defensa Volleyball Club
Micaela Kent
James Enochs High School
Modesto, California
Pulse Volleyball Club
Burdette: Micaela will bring a tenacity to our backcourt through her vocal presence and ball control that is necessary for our program to carry on its success. She is a strong competitor as evidenced by her state wrestling championship.
Accolades
Made academic All-League for 4 years
2016 Made All-Conference team
2016 Best defensive player award
2016 Ranked #1 in area for total digs
2016 Ranked #8 in the section for digs
Averaged 4.8 digs per set
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