Emporia State head volleyball coach Bing Xu announced the signings of three high school players during the early signing period.
Kenda Ely, a 6-foot middle hitter from Inman High School, was a second team Class 2A All-State pick this past season and was also All-Heart of America League and chosen to the Hutchinson News’ All-Area team. Ely had 325 kills, 88 blocks and a .970 service percentage during her senior year and had 979 kills and 214 blocks over her high school career.
Amanda Gerety, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Seaman High in Topeka, was a two-time selection for All-State, All-Centennial League and All-City. With Gerety’s help, Seaman finished third in Class 5A each of the past two years and won its substate four times during her career.
The Hornets’ third signing was Paige Vanderpool, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Lee’s Summit, Mo. Vanderpool earned first team All-Regional and All-Conference honors, and second team All-District, during her senior seasons. Lee’s Summit West High won a State championship her sophomore year and was the State runner-up her junior year.
The Hornets, whose season concluded with Thursday’s Regional loss to Pittsburg State, finished with a 29-6 record. They’ll lose three seniors off this year’s squad.