DAYTON - University of Dayton volleyball head coach Tim Horsmon has announced his class of incoming freshman for the 2018-19 academic year. Molly Asmus (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek), Maura Collins (Independence, Ohio/Independence), Elizabeth House (Dayton, Ohio/Alter), Amelia Moore (Ocean Springs, Miss./Ocean Springs), Alli Papesh (Channahon, Ill./Minooka Community) and Mikaylah Van Lanen (Appleton, Wis./Appleton North) will be joining the Flyers next fall.
"As a coaching staff we are really looking forward to getting this class here and believe this group continues to move the needle forward for the Flyer program," said Horsmon. "We gain a great deal of athleticism and also think this could end up being a nationally recognized recruiting class. Beyond the volleyball, this group possesses great character and brings us high-level student-athletes as well. The addition of this group and returning players gives us as much talent as I can remember in our Flyer gym."
Molly Asmus, a 6-1 middle blocker, earned four varsity letters at Stoney Creek High School under head coach Ross Talbot. The 2017 team captain helped lead the Cougars to a MHSAA district championship title her senior season, earning All-Oakland Activities Association honors. Asmus was an integral part of Stoney Creek's OAA Red co-champion squads in 2015 and 2017 and was ranked among the top 250 prospects in her class by PrepVolleyball.com. She plays club ball with Michigan Elite and participated in High Performance Girls Youth National A2 Invitational Volleyball Training.
"Molly is very athletic and a good jumper," Horsmon commented. "She will be a good attacker, both in front and behind the setter, and, with her lateral quickness, could be a very high-level blocker. We have had a history with training great middles and we're excited about Molly's potential."
Maura Collins, a 5-6 libero/defensive specialist, played four varsity seasons under head coach Megan Osysko at Independence High School. She helped lead the Blue Devils to the program's first state semifinals appearance in 2017 after claiming the school's first regional title her senior season. Collins is a four-time All-Chagrin Valley Conference First Team member, a four-time all-district honoree and was three times recognized on an All-Ohio team. A member of the 1,000-1,000 club (1,153 kills and 1,147 digs), she earned mention on PrepVolleyball.com's Top 250 prospects for her class and was one of the highest rated at her position. The two-year Independence team captain played club ball with Cleveland Volleyball Club.
"Maura is incredibly athletic and understands the game at a high level," reflected Horsmon. "We believe Maura could easily one of the best liberos in the country by the time she graduates. Maura plays hard and instantly improves our team serve receive and how we will defend opponents."
Elizabeth House, a 5-5 defensive specialist, is set to graduate from Archbishop Alter High School in May after playing for head coach Tina Jasinowski. During her senior season, House set a new Alter single-season digs record (404) and helped lead the Knights to back-to-back conference and district titles. She earned consecutive Greater Catholic League First Team and All-District 15 honors in 2016 and 2017 and was an integral part of Alter's 2017 state semifinals appearance. House most recently played club ball with Elevation.
"Elizabeth is not only very talented at the libero position but the kind of player that instantly makes your team and players around her better," Horsmon said. "She will be a fan favorite because of how hard she plays and the passion she shows in every point. House is an incredible culture kid every coach wants in their program."
Amelia Moore is a 6-5 middle blocker who played her prep career at Ocean Springs High School under head coach Brooke Engle. A two-time team captain, she helped lead the Greyhounds to four consecutive district titles and earned a Top 250 ranking in her class by PrepVolleyball.com. Moore, a 2017 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American, was named to the Sun Herald Honorable Mention and Mississippi All-State teams in 2016 and is a four-time Scholar Athlete award winner. Additionally, Moore was named the MaxPreps/AVCA High School Player of the Week for Mississippi on Oct. 9, 2017. She played AAU ball with Mobile Storm for three years and played with the A1 Girls Youth National Team in 2017.
"Amelia is a physical player who will help us both in the middle and right side," mentioned Horsmon. "She hits a heavy ball and puts up a really strong block. Amelia is passionate about volleyball and the sky is the limit on how good she's going to be. We love her versatility and drive to be great."
Alli Papesh, a 6-1 outside hitter, earned four varsity letters at Minooka Community High School under head coach Carrie Prosek. A 2017 MaxPreps Pre-Season All-American, she was named to the Under Armour High School All-American Second Team following her senior season, she helped lead the Indians to four-consecutive regional titles, two sectional titles and two super-sectional titles in addition to back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2017. Ranked No. 66 among Senior Aces by PrepVolleyball.com, Papesh became the first player in program history to surpass the 1,000-kill mark during her senior season and she was named the Southwest Prairie Conference MVP. In addition, Papesh was honored as the MaxPreps/US Marines/CBS Sports National Player of the Month in March of 2017. She plays club ball with UNO Volleyball Club.
"Alli has become a really strong six-rotation outside hitter and will terminate the ball in the front and back row at a very high level," Horsmon said. "Alli has a great feel for blocking and will be a very good left-side blocker. We believe she will be a high-impact player in our program in all facets of the game."
Mikaylah Van Lanen, a 6-0 outside hitter, will graduate from Appleton North this May after playing for head coach Steve Scheuerell. She earned First Team All-Conference, All-Area and All-State honors and was also named to the Appleton Post Crescent's Sensational 6 Team in both 2016 and 2017. Van Lanen played an integral role in her squad's back-to-back appearances in the WIAA state championship and the school's first-ever No. 1 ranking in the state of Wisconsin. Most recently, Van Lanen played club ball with WVA 2017.
"Mikaylah is a high flyer and has the ability to score points in bunches," commented Horsmon. "Mikaylah's arm is terminal and, as her range continues to improve, she will be really tough to defend. Mik is another six-rotation player that will be counted on to solidify the left side position in her time here. We believe Mik and Alli together have as good an upside of any two outside hitters in the country."
