Marquette Volleyball Announces Four Class Of 2017 Signees

The fall signing period isn’t just for basketball. On Wednesday, Marquette volleyball announced four signees, including two top 100 recruits.

Middle blocker Elizabeth Orf and setter Sarah Rose join outside hitters Kortlyn Henderson and Hope Werch in MU’s 2017 recruiting class. All four will join the team and arrive on campus this summer before beginning their four years of eligibility at Marquette.

Henderson is a 6’1” outside hitter, and Prep Volleyball has her as a top 250 player in the class of 2017. She has been a two-time first team all-district performer on the court and a three time academic all-district performer off of it. Head coach Ryan Theis on Henderson:

“Kortlyn brings a physical presence to the floor and is a high level athlete the will score a lot of points for us down the road,” Theis said.

Orf is the highest ranked recruit in the class, coming in at #39 on Prep Volleyball’s Senior Ace list. While Henderson has her high school’s single season kills record, Orf broke her high school’s career kills record with over 1,100 in her tim at Villa Duchesne. The 6’3” middle blocker was named First Team all conference, district, region, and state as a junior, and I presume we’re just waiting for all of those awards to come in following the end of her senior campaign. Theis on Orf:

“Elizabeth is dynamic, plays high above the net and has a good arm,” Theis said. “Those are three great attributes for a middle blocker.”

BTW: I’m already looking forward to using “WELCOME TO ORF” for spectacular plays by the Missouri native.

Rose doesn’t carry a ranking by Prep Volleyball, but she is a 2016 AVCA All-American nominee. Her passing led York Community HS to a regional championship in 2016 before falling in the Illinois sectional semifinals. The 5’8” setter has over 2,600 career assists and her 865 career digs are nothing to sneeze at, either. With Sara Blasier in her senior year right now, Rose may get a chance to push Lauren Speckman for playing time immediately. Theis on Rose:

“Sarah is terrific at getting hitters in good situations and her overall ball control skills and volleyball IQ are already at a high level, which will benefit our team,” Theis said.

When you get a chance at a top 100 player right in your back yard (so to speak), you gotta go get her. Werch is ranked #78 in the class of 2017 by Prep Volleyball, and earned an Under Armour All-American honorable mention nod. The 6-foot-tall outside hitter led the Rockets to a Division 1 state title this fall, the first for Neenah High since 1978. Werch has been a part of four straight regional championship teams and she’s been named Fox Valley Association player of the year three years running. Theis on Werch:

“Hope's skill level will be an immediate impact on the program,” Theis said. “She is a true competitor and we are excited to get her in the gym.”

The 2016 edition of the Golden Eagles are back on the court on Saturday afternoon when they host Seton Hall at 3pm Central.