Ball State University Athletics
Women’s Volleyball Excited To Announce Four Newcomers
November 11, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State women's volleyball head coach Kelli Miller Phillips is excited to announce the four student-athletes who will join the program in the fall of 2022.
Set to become Cardinals next fall are Paige Busick (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont), Madison Buckley (Montgomery, Ill./Kaneland), Katie Egenolf (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove), and Aniya Kennedy (La Porte, Ind./La Porte).
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Paige Busick Decatur, Ind. (Bellmont) Defensive Specialist / Libero
Phillips on Busick: Paige is feisty, quick and competitive. She is always flying around the court and finding a way to keep the ball alive. She's one of those players that when you walk by her court, you notice her because of her energy, competitiveness and play making ability. She will add depth to our backcourt and competitive spirit to our program!
Career Highlights: A four-year varsity letterwinner at Bellmont for coach Craig Krull … 2021 Indiana High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) Class 3A Mental Attitude Award Winner ... helped guide the Braves to a 30-6 overall record and a runner-up finish at the IHSAA State Championships as team captain her senior year … A first team All-Conference and Academic All-State selection as a senior, she helped lead Bellmont to a 102-33 record over her high school career … also earned All-Northeast Indiana Volleyball Second Team as a junior and IHSVCA 3A Northeast All-District First Team as a junior … team also earned a state runner-up finish her sophomore year, while being crowned four-time sectional champions … over 328 career sets played, she registered 1,125 digs, 135 aces and 22 kills … also earned four letters in softball and was a two-time All-Conference selection for Bellmont
Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because it felt like I was still at home. I can have all of my supporters there and have a great education while doing the sport I love.
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Madison Buckley Montgomery, Ill. (Kaneland) Right Side / Outside Hitter
Phillips on Buckley: Madison is a big time athlete. She's super physical at the net and can attack all across the front line. Her arm speed and ability to attack various angles has continued to improve and she's going to be a force for us at the net. In addition to her front row skills, Madison's ball control skills are what have continued to impress me. She wants the ball to be served at her and will throw her body on defense to keep balls alive. She's one of those players that competes hard and will do any and everything to help her team be successful and I can't wait to add her to our team!
Career Highlights: A three-year varsity letterwinner at Kaneland for coach Cynthia Violett … helped guide the Knights to three conference championships and a pair of regional titles over her career … led the program to a 33-3 overall record as team captain her senior season … the Knights compiled a 77-13 record over her varsity career … Interstate Eight Conference MVP as a junior, while earning all-conference accolades as both a sophomore and junior … Two-Time All-Area selection, Offensive Player of the Year, Best Blocker Award and team MVP over her career … finished her career with 567 kills, 243 digs, 68 blocks and 34 aces.
Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was the right place for me. Everyone always said that when you know, you know it is the right fit, and they were right! As soon as I got to campus, talked with the team and coaches I knew Ball State was where I belonged! I cannot wait to spend the next four years here!
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Katie Egenolf Greenwood, Ind. (Center Grove) Outside Hitter
Phillips on Egenolf: Katie has a heavy arm that hits the ball with pop. She sees her block well and can hit smart shots which will allow her to score at a high level. She's also a six-rotation player with a natural touch on her platform combined with a competitive drive that she won't let the ball hit the floor on defense. From the second we started recruiting her, her energy, grind mindset and love for the game showed through and I can't wait to have her in our gym!
Career Highlights: A four-year varsity letterwinner at Center Grove for coach Jen Hawk … helped guide the Trojans to a 100-35 record over her career, including four sectional championships … her sophomore squad was also regional champions and finished the year semi-state runner-up … earned All-State Second Team, All-Region, and All-Conference honors as a junior … two-time All-County selection … Team MVP as a junior, Offensive MVP and Most Improved Player as a sophomore … finished her career with 1,177 kills, 159 total blocks, 472 digs and 56 aces … also letters in basketball as a freshman at Center Grove.
Why Ball State: I choose Ball State because I truly felt like I had a real connection with the coach staff and the girls. I feel like it will be a great environment for me to mature and play sports in.
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Aniya Kennedy La Porte, Ind. (La Porte) Middle Blocker
Phillips on Kennedy: Aniya is a fun player to watch. She attacks very high and very hard. She's played a variety of front row positions, but her blocking presence is what typically keeps her in the middle. I love how quick she gets on the ball and her ability to terminate against any blocker. She's not afraid to go nose to nose with anyone and I love her confidence. She will absolutely add a huge net presence to our team and I can't wait to start working with her!
Career Highlights: A four-year varsity letterwinner at La Porte for coach Jessica Dhoore … helped guide the Slicers to sectional championships in each of the past three years, as well as a 104-26 record over her career … All-Conference honoree as a sophomore and junior … picked up Academic All-State honors as a senior … earned the program's hitting award as a sophomore and blocking award as a sophomore and junior … finished her career with 1,225 kills, 308 total blocks, 363 digs and 52 aces … also earned three letters in tennis at La Porte.
Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because I loved the campus and how it is not too far from home.
Set to become Cardinals next fall are Paige Busick (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont), Madison Buckley (Montgomery, Ill./Kaneland), Katie Egenolf (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove), and Aniya Kennedy (La Porte, Ind./La Porte).
?? BREAKING NEWS ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 10, 2021
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family??
We're excited to welcome Paige Busick (@BusickPaige) to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/KZ2ml2tDuz
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Paige Busick Decatur, Ind. (Bellmont) Defensive Specialist / Libero
Phillips on Busick: Paige is feisty, quick and competitive. She is always flying around the court and finding a way to keep the ball alive. She's one of those players that when you walk by her court, you notice her because of her energy, competitiveness and play making ability. She will add depth to our backcourt and competitive spirit to our program!
Career Highlights: A four-year varsity letterwinner at Bellmont for coach Craig Krull … 2021 Indiana High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) Class 3A Mental Attitude Award Winner ... helped guide the Braves to a 30-6 overall record and a runner-up finish at the IHSAA State Championships as team captain her senior year … A first team All-Conference and Academic All-State selection as a senior, she helped lead Bellmont to a 102-33 record over her high school career … also earned All-Northeast Indiana Volleyball Second Team as a junior and IHSVCA 3A Northeast All-District First Team as a junior … team also earned a state runner-up finish her sophomore year, while being crowned four-time sectional champions … over 328 career sets played, she registered 1,125 digs, 135 aces and 22 kills … also earned four letters in softball and was a two-time All-Conference selection for Bellmont
Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because it felt like I was still at home. I can have all of my supporters there and have a great education while doing the sport I love.
?? BREAKING NEWS ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 11, 2021
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family??
We're excited to welcome Madison Buckley (@maddiebuckleyyy) to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/ZAWoPKY5TH
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Madison Buckley Montgomery, Ill. (Kaneland) Right Side / Outside Hitter
Phillips on Buckley: Madison is a big time athlete. She's super physical at the net and can attack all across the front line. Her arm speed and ability to attack various angles has continued to improve and she's going to be a force for us at the net. In addition to her front row skills, Madison's ball control skills are what have continued to impress me. She wants the ball to be served at her and will throw her body on defense to keep balls alive. She's one of those players that competes hard and will do any and everything to help her team be successful and I can't wait to add her to our team!
Career Highlights: A three-year varsity letterwinner at Kaneland for coach Cynthia Violett … helped guide the Knights to three conference championships and a pair of regional titles over her career … led the program to a 33-3 overall record as team captain her senior season … the Knights compiled a 77-13 record over her varsity career … Interstate Eight Conference MVP as a junior, while earning all-conference accolades as both a sophomore and junior … Two-Time All-Area selection, Offensive Player of the Year, Best Blocker Award and team MVP over her career … finished her career with 567 kills, 243 digs, 68 blocks and 34 aces.
Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was the right place for me. Everyone always said that when you know, you know it is the right fit, and they were right! As soon as I got to campus, talked with the team and coaches I knew Ball State was where I belonged! I cannot wait to spend the next four years here!
?? BREAKING NEWS ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 10, 2021
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family??
We're excited to welcome Katie Egenolf (@katie_egenolf) to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/6LMYHO0IX8
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Katie Egenolf Greenwood, Ind. (Center Grove) Outside Hitter
Phillips on Egenolf: Katie has a heavy arm that hits the ball with pop. She sees her block well and can hit smart shots which will allow her to score at a high level. She's also a six-rotation player with a natural touch on her platform combined with a competitive drive that she won't let the ball hit the floor on defense. From the second we started recruiting her, her energy, grind mindset and love for the game showed through and I can't wait to have her in our gym!
Career Highlights: A four-year varsity letterwinner at Center Grove for coach Jen Hawk … helped guide the Trojans to a 100-35 record over her career, including four sectional championships … her sophomore squad was also regional champions and finished the year semi-state runner-up … earned All-State Second Team, All-Region, and All-Conference honors as a junior … two-time All-County selection … Team MVP as a junior, Offensive MVP and Most Improved Player as a sophomore … finished her career with 1,177 kills, 159 total blocks, 472 digs and 56 aces … also letters in basketball as a freshman at Center Grove.
Why Ball State: I choose Ball State because I truly felt like I had a real connection with the coach staff and the girls. I feel like it will be a great environment for me to mature and play sports in.
?? BREAKING NEWS ??
— Ball State Volleyball ?? (@BallStateWVB) November 11, 2021
We have a new addition to the Ball State Volleyball Family??
We're excited to welcome Aniya Kennedy to The Nest#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/HBBnd3motc
Name Hometown (High School) Position
Aniya Kennedy La Porte, Ind. (La Porte) Middle Blocker
Phillips on Kennedy: Aniya is a fun player to watch. She attacks very high and very hard. She's played a variety of front row positions, but her blocking presence is what typically keeps her in the middle. I love how quick she gets on the ball and her ability to terminate against any blocker. She's not afraid to go nose to nose with anyone and I love her confidence. She will absolutely add a huge net presence to our team and I can't wait to start working with her!
Career Highlights: A four-year varsity letterwinner at La Porte for coach Jessica Dhoore … helped guide the Slicers to sectional championships in each of the past three years, as well as a 104-26 record over her career … All-Conference honoree as a sophomore and junior … picked up Academic All-State honors as a senior … earned the program's hitting award as a sophomore and blocking award as a sophomore and junior … finished her career with 1,225 kills, 308 total blocks, 363 digs and 52 aces … also earned three letters in tennis at La Porte.
Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because I loved the campus and how it is not too far from home.
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