Women's Volleyball | November 17

DeKALB, Ill.- Northern Illinois University volleyball head coach Sondra Parys announced on Friday the signings of Rylea Alvin, Ava Grevengoed, Emma McCartney, and Ella Strausberger to National Letters of Intent to join the Huskies in 2024.
 
"I'm so excited to officially welcome our class of 2024 to NIU," said Parys. "These competitive, hardworking young women will be a strong foundation for what we are building at NIU."
 
Alvin comes to NIU from Randolph High School in Randolph, Wisconsin, where she is third on the All-Time blocks and kills list. Alvin was a member of three consecutive conference championships, two straight regional championships, and a fourth-place finish at the Wisconsin State tournament. Alvin also competed for the Milwaukee Sting Club Volleyball team, which finished third at nationals her junior season. Alvin recorded 548 total kills and 190 total digs in her high school career.
 
Parys on Alvin: "Rylea defines hard work and perseverance. Her athletic ability will make an impact in the middle position, and we have seen her strengths as a great teammate who will help build our culture. We are excited to see how her work ethic will allow her to develop under our coaching philosophy and in this competitive league."
 
Grevengoed joins NIU from Shorewood, Illinois and holds Joliet West High School's record for most kills in a season and leads the All-Time career kills list with 1,179 kills. Grevengoed was the first player at Joliet West to reach the 1,000-career kill mark. Grevengoed for a four-year captain for Joliet West, helped lead the Tigers to consecutive regional and sectional championships, and earned All-State honors her junior (Second Team) and senior (First Team) years.
 
Parys on Grevengoed: "Ava is a winner. We could see it from how she competed on the court, during our many conversations, with her high school accolades, and much more.  She is someone who is constantly striving to be the best and I know her time as a Huskie will be no different. She will provide great depth and competition to our program, and I can't wait to have her in our gym!"
 
McCartney is set to join the Huskies from Chardon, Ohio and is the first player in Chardon High School history to achieve 1,000-career kills. A two-year captain, McCartney was the Western Reserve Conference Player of the Year her sophomore and junior seasons and the Ohio Varsity Player of the Year her junior season. McCartney finished her high school career with 1,017 kills and 125 aces.
 
Parys on McCartney: "Emma was a highly recruited outside hitter from a very competitive club. We are confident her talent and passion for the game will elevate an important position and overall level of play in our gym.  She is a true 6 rotation player who finds ways to score points in each aspect of the game.  Our staff is excited to see Emma's potential evolve as a Huskie."
 
Strausberger comes from Plainfield, Illinois and is Plainfield North's All-Time leader in assists, sitting at 2,270 in her career and second in program history for most assists in a match at 41. Strausberger totaled 137 aces, 192 kills, 114 blocks, and 532 digs in her high school career. Plainfield North made the regionals three consecutive years, complied 78 wins, and were the Sectional Runners-Up in 2021.
 
Parys on Strausberger: "We are thrilled to welcome Ella as a Huskie. With her parents both being alums, she has always had this love for NIU and we felt it right away in our recruiting process. Not only does she come with a strong passion for the game but with an elite level volleyball experience that will be of great value to the setting position. She brings great energy that we know will fit right into our program!"
  
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