Lehigh University Athletics
Keckler announces Lehigh Volleyball's incoming Class of 2024
4/15/2020 3:01:00 PM | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — After graduating a full class of six seniors this past season, the goal to replenish the roster may have just paid off, as head coach Alexa Keckler officially announced her recruiting class of six fresh faces for the Class of 2024.
Six prospective student-athletes from five different states – California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas – will make the trek to the Lehigh Valley this fall to play for the Mountain Hawks, looking to build off a Patriot League Tournament appearance in 2019, still searching for the program's first championship since 1997.
Lehigh is graduating two middle blockers that left a mark on the program for years to come in Lauren Bright and Emily Poole, and will stock back up with talent, getting three players that have experience playing the position.
The class also features plenty of talent at outside hitter, a setter and a libero who will look to make an immediate impact as the season draws nearer.
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Sarah Burau – Wheaton, Ill. – Sports Performance – S
Sarah is a four year starting setter and captain for the volleyball team at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. Her team placed second in the state finishing with the best season record in Program history. Through her hard work, she has broken three program records in career assists (2,468), career aces (179), and season assists (928). She was selected as a three-time All-Conference player, three-time Academic All-Conference student athlete, and a four-time recipient of the Lauren Davis Leadership Award. Sarah has trained at one of the top club volleyball programs in the country, Sports Performance (Ill.). There, she participated on the 2019 AAU 18 club championship team. Off the volleyball court, Sarah is an exceptional student, inducted in the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society. She will continue her academic pursuits in the field of Psychology.
Coach Keckler on Sarah: "Sarah is a special player with an awesome coaching mind. She loves the game and how the game works. Sarah has a great work ethic and drive to be the best she can be on and off the court. She will be a great addition to our culture and our offense!"
Sophia Meagher – Miami, Fla. – Miami Hype – MB/OH
Sophia is a middle blocker/opposite hitter who attends Riviera Preparatory School. Her four-year varsity stint has been decorated with team and individual accomplishments. Her varsity team was two-time regional and district champions. She has earned First Team (2018) and Second Team All-Miami Dade County (2017 and 2019) honors. Sophia trains with Miami Hype volleyball club and has continued to progress her athletic accomplishments. Her team placed second in the American Division at Girls Junior Nationals in Detroit in 2019 where she was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Academically, Sophia has been a decorated student receiving four-year honor roll recognitions and inducted into the English Honor Society. Sophia is also an active member of the Key Club, Secretary and Spirit Chair for Student Government Association, a Tina Dailey Foundation Ambassador, and a member of the Marine Conservation Club. Sophia will pursue a degree in computer science and minor in marketing at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Sophia: "Sophia has a lot of intangibles that will be an amazing addition to our culture. She is a hard worker, good speed and is a sponge for learning. Sophia has shown in just a short time her commitment to get better and put in work."
Sophie Robinson – Plano, Texas – Excel VBC – MB/OH
Sophie is a middle blocker attending Plano Senior High School. She is the second high school product from Plano following Julia Pressly. Sophie was a four-year varsity member of the team, and while overcoming a major injury during her junior year, she still made a statement comeback during her career. She was a 2018 All Area UIL Second Team selection, a two-time First Team All-District honoree and an All-District Honorable Mention. Scholastically, Sophie has been recognized for her academic achievements as a four-time Academic All-District honors recipient and a Presidential Academic Award recipient. Sophie plays for Excel VBC, and during her time of training she was a starting player of the GJNC Open 2017 Bronze Medalist team. She will be pursuing a business major with the intention of enrolling into law school after her time at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Sophie: "Sophie's attitude and drive are simply outstanding. She is very athletic and agile in the middle. Her energy on the court and work ethic in the gym are characteristics we are excited to welcome into our program."
Alina Smith – Morristown, N.J. – Sureshots Volleyball Club – MB
Alina is joining the program from Montclair Kimberley Academy. As a four-year varsity player, she received a role as a team captain as a junior. Her junior and senior year, she was recognized and honored by attaining a Second Team All-SEC Liberty Division award. While being recruited to Lehigh, Alina participated with VB Rags volleyball club, where her team was named the 2019 GEVA Regional Power League Champions and now concludes her training with Sureshots Volleyball Club. Academically, she was a consistent member of the honor roll from 2016 to 2019. She will intend on majoring in marketing during her time at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Alina: "We are very excited about Alina's athleticism and raw talent. Her blocking ability will be an excellent addition to our team. Her personality on the court and excitement for the sport will be an amazing addition to our program."
Ally Thaw – San Mateo, Calif. – Encore Volleyball Club – L/DS
Alejandra, also known as Ally, is a product of San Mateo, attending Aragon High School. Her career at Aragon as a starting libero has led to two CCS Championships in 2018 and 2019. Her team placed in the Top 8 in the CIF State Tournament. Ally concluded her career with an average of 4.6 digs per set and 20.3 digs per match. She played club for Encore Volleyball club. Ally is a high-achieving student enrolled on the Dean's Honor Roll. She will pursue environmental engineering while at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Ally: "Ally will be a fiery addition to our defense. She is extremely talkative, encouraging and works hard to touch anything on the court. We are looking forward to having her excitement and energy in the gym!"
Lylah Washington – San Antonio, Texas – Alamo Volleyball Club – OH
Lylah is a pin hitter native from San Antonio, hailing from one of the top public schools in the state, Ronald Reagan High School. She made her stint as a four year varsity player memorable by being recognized for multiple All-Tournament awards as well as attaining First Team Texas 27-6A All-District selections in 2018 and 2019. In addition, Lylah also trained and competed for Alamo Volleyball Club. In the classroom, Lylah is a strong student by being inducted into the honor society and participating in student council. To complete her career at Ronald Reagan, she received a TGCA Academic All-State honor and will graduate as a Magna Cum Laude recipient. As she steps onto Lehigh's campus, her intention is to major in Pre-Health.
Coach Keckler on Lylah: "Lylah will be an excellent asset for us on the pin. She has a great vertical, very athletic and will be a strong addition to our program. Her ceiling is very high and we are looking forward to having her in our gym."
Six prospective student-athletes from five different states – California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas – will make the trek to the Lehigh Valley this fall to play for the Mountain Hawks, looking to build off a Patriot League Tournament appearance in 2019, still searching for the program's first championship since 1997.
Lehigh is graduating two middle blockers that left a mark on the program for years to come in Lauren Bright and Emily Poole, and will stock back up with talent, getting three players that have experience playing the position.
The class also features plenty of talent at outside hitter, a setter and a libero who will look to make an immediate impact as the season draws nearer.
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Sarah Burau – Wheaton, Ill. – Sports Performance – S
Sarah is a four year starting setter and captain for the volleyball team at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. Her team placed second in the state finishing with the best season record in Program history. Through her hard work, she has broken three program records in career assists (2,468), career aces (179), and season assists (928). She was selected as a three-time All-Conference player, three-time Academic All-Conference student athlete, and a four-time recipient of the Lauren Davis Leadership Award. Sarah has trained at one of the top club volleyball programs in the country, Sports Performance (Ill.). There, she participated on the 2019 AAU 18 club championship team. Off the volleyball court, Sarah is an exceptional student, inducted in the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society. She will continue her academic pursuits in the field of Psychology.
Coach Keckler on Sarah: "Sarah is a special player with an awesome coaching mind. She loves the game and how the game works. Sarah has a great work ethic and drive to be the best she can be on and off the court. She will be a great addition to our culture and our offense!"
Sophia Meagher – Miami, Fla. – Miami Hype – MB/OH
Sophia is a middle blocker/opposite hitter who attends Riviera Preparatory School. Her four-year varsity stint has been decorated with team and individual accomplishments. Her varsity team was two-time regional and district champions. She has earned First Team (2018) and Second Team All-Miami Dade County (2017 and 2019) honors. Sophia trains with Miami Hype volleyball club and has continued to progress her athletic accomplishments. Her team placed second in the American Division at Girls Junior Nationals in Detroit in 2019 where she was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Academically, Sophia has been a decorated student receiving four-year honor roll recognitions and inducted into the English Honor Society. Sophia is also an active member of the Key Club, Secretary and Spirit Chair for Student Government Association, a Tina Dailey Foundation Ambassador, and a member of the Marine Conservation Club. Sophia will pursue a degree in computer science and minor in marketing at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Sophia: "Sophia has a lot of intangibles that will be an amazing addition to our culture. She is a hard worker, good speed and is a sponge for learning. Sophia has shown in just a short time her commitment to get better and put in work."
Sophie Robinson – Plano, Texas – Excel VBC – MB/OH
Sophie is a middle blocker attending Plano Senior High School. She is the second high school product from Plano following Julia Pressly. Sophie was a four-year varsity member of the team, and while overcoming a major injury during her junior year, she still made a statement comeback during her career. She was a 2018 All Area UIL Second Team selection, a two-time First Team All-District honoree and an All-District Honorable Mention. Scholastically, Sophie has been recognized for her academic achievements as a four-time Academic All-District honors recipient and a Presidential Academic Award recipient. Sophie plays for Excel VBC, and during her time of training she was a starting player of the GJNC Open 2017 Bronze Medalist team. She will be pursuing a business major with the intention of enrolling into law school after her time at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Sophie: "Sophie's attitude and drive are simply outstanding. She is very athletic and agile in the middle. Her energy on the court and work ethic in the gym are characteristics we are excited to welcome into our program."
Alina Smith – Morristown, N.J. – Sureshots Volleyball Club – MB
Alina is joining the program from Montclair Kimberley Academy. As a four-year varsity player, she received a role as a team captain as a junior. Her junior and senior year, she was recognized and honored by attaining a Second Team All-SEC Liberty Division award. While being recruited to Lehigh, Alina participated with VB Rags volleyball club, where her team was named the 2019 GEVA Regional Power League Champions and now concludes her training with Sureshots Volleyball Club. Academically, she was a consistent member of the honor roll from 2016 to 2019. She will intend on majoring in marketing during her time at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Alina: "We are very excited about Alina's athleticism and raw talent. Her blocking ability will be an excellent addition to our team. Her personality on the court and excitement for the sport will be an amazing addition to our program."
Ally Thaw – San Mateo, Calif. – Encore Volleyball Club – L/DS
Alejandra, also known as Ally, is a product of San Mateo, attending Aragon High School. Her career at Aragon as a starting libero has led to two CCS Championships in 2018 and 2019. Her team placed in the Top 8 in the CIF State Tournament. Ally concluded her career with an average of 4.6 digs per set and 20.3 digs per match. She played club for Encore Volleyball club. Ally is a high-achieving student enrolled on the Dean's Honor Roll. She will pursue environmental engineering while at Lehigh.
Coach Keckler on Ally: "Ally will be a fiery addition to our defense. She is extremely talkative, encouraging and works hard to touch anything on the court. We are looking forward to having her excitement and energy in the gym!"
Lylah Washington – San Antonio, Texas – Alamo Volleyball Club – OH
Lylah is a pin hitter native from San Antonio, hailing from one of the top public schools in the state, Ronald Reagan High School. She made her stint as a four year varsity player memorable by being recognized for multiple All-Tournament awards as well as attaining First Team Texas 27-6A All-District selections in 2018 and 2019. In addition, Lylah also trained and competed for Alamo Volleyball Club. In the classroom, Lylah is a strong student by being inducted into the honor society and participating in student council. To complete her career at Ronald Reagan, she received a TGCA Academic All-State honor and will graduate as a Magna Cum Laude recipient. As she steps onto Lehigh's campus, her intention is to major in Pre-Health.
Coach Keckler on Lylah: "Lylah will be an excellent asset for us on the pin. She has a great vertical, very athletic and will be a strong addition to our program. Her ceiling is very high and we are looking forward to having her in our gym."
Players Mentioned
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