AU Volleyball Adds Three In 2023 Freshman Class

Ashland University head volleyball coach Kevin Foeman has announced the addition of three student-athletes in the Eagles' 2023 recruiting class.
 
Joining the volleyball program are Fairfield outside hitter Henlie Krause, Tri-Valley outside hitter Lexi Howe and Olmsted Falls outside hitter/setter Kylee Urban.
 
"We are excited to be adding each of these student-athletes to our program as we look to reload and continue the tradition of Ashland volleyball," Foeman said. "This class will immediately complement our strong returning core and the depth we need to compete at a high level. They all come to Ashland after seasons in which they were named Player of the Year for their conference, and helped raise their respective programs to new heights.
 
"They are high-character kids who understand the expectations of collegiate volleyball, and I know they are ready to do what is best for the betterment of our program. Henlie and Lexi are both high-flying, dynamic attackers who have great motors on the court. Kylee is a multi-dimensional athlete, who can play a number of positions at a high level.  I can't wait to get them in our gym and see how they impact our program."
 
Henlie Krause
Hometown – Liberty Township, Ohio
Intended major – Biology
Why did you choose AU? "I love how it is a smaller school with very good programs. I love the culture of the team and the gym. AU feels like a place I will easily adapt to."
What are you most looking forward for next year? "I'm excited to play at a higher level that I have never experienced. I'm excited to be able to be more independent in what I do and what types of things I study."
Awards –  Three-time first-team All-Greater Miami Conference, 2022 GMC Player of the Year, 2022 second-team OHSVCA District 16, District 16 All Star game, four-year varsity letter winner, honor roll, and a 4.4 cumulative grade-point average.
Foeman – "Henlie is a physical outside attacker who can help us immediately in our offensive system. Henlie plays hard and we love the way she competes and how coachable she is. Playing under one of my former players Alexis Mitchell (Thomas), she has been trained well and knows what to expect from us as coaches. Another coach's kid, Henlie's dad is an extremely successful football coach in the Cincinnati area. She comes from an athletic family who knows how to work hard. As her coach says, 'she is a buy-in kid. You tell her what she needs to do, and nothing will get in between her and doing that.' Her passion on the court and ability to terminate on the left side reminds us a lot of a young Erin Krupar. Her natural platform and athleticism will allow her the chance to become a 6-rotation outside, and I am looking forward to training her and seeing her in our gym. Another conference player of the year, Henlie put together one of the finest seasons for her Fairfield High team."
 
Lexi Howe
Hometown – Zanesville, Ohio
Intended major – Psychology
Why did you choose AU? "I chose AU because of the family atmosphere, welcoming coaches, eliteness of the program, and the academic reputation."
What are you most looking forward for next year? "I am looking forward to starting a new volleyball path and becoming a part of such a close-knit team."
Awards – Muskingum Valley League Player of the Year, MVL first team, first-team District 12, second-team All Ohio, MVL Offensive Player of the Year, first-team MVL, first-team District 12, and academic honor roll all four years.
Foeman – "Lexi is a very dynamic athlete, who moves extremely well on the court and has an incredible upside. She has a great vertical and competitive edge, and has the tools to become a very strong attacker in the front row throughout her career. Another conference player of the year, Lexi played her high school ball with current Ashland freshmen Abby Stanford and Elle McLoughlin at Tri-Valley. Together, they were able to take the program to new heights, and I am excited to see them all back together in our gym. Lexi will also be competing in women's basketball under coach Kari Pickens, and we are excited to see her excel in both programs."
Tri-Valley head coach Dani Lamonica – "Lexi is one of the smartest, hard-working players I have had the honor to coach. Her drive to mentally and physically prepare is unlike anyone else."
 
Kylee Urban
Hometown – Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Intended major – Business or Sport Management
Why did you choose AU? "I chose AU because of the family culture. The girls and the coaches were so welcoming and supportive."
What are you most looking forward for next year? "I am most looking forward to playing with the girls and making new friendships."
Awards – 2022 District Player of the Year, 2022 Southwest Conference Player of the Year, first-team all-conference, first-team all-district, first-team All-Ohio, AVCA 2022 All-America Watch list and the 2022 AVCA Best and Brightest. First in Olmsted Falls volleyball program history with 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career assists. 2021 all-district, all-conference and All-Ohio.
Foeman – "I first saw Kylee at a camp her sophomore year, and instantly knew she was someone I wanted to coach in the future. She is a technically sound setter with a strong attack, but possesses a demeanor on the court that can't be measured with statistics. She makes her teammates better, she has that 'it' factor and that rare ability to find ways to win. She played as a setter/left side hitter for her high school team, and setter/right-side hitter for her club team. She will compete immediately in all three of these areas here at Ashland, and has the versatility to play multiple positions at a high level in her future. I think Kylee will be an incredibly valuable piece to the growth of our program as we transition away from a strong senior class. On the court this past year for Olmsted Falls, she was one of the best setters and attackers in Ohio, finishing at the top of Ohio in Kills per set. She can really do anything on the court, and that was what drew us to her. Kylee is a coach's kid, and has grown up in the gym and around the sport. I believe her impact will be immediate."
Olmsted Falls head coach Brigid Radigan – "Kylee has earned every ounce of her success. She has really had to prove herself and that has only been done through hard work and a team-first mentality. From top to bottom, on the court and off the court, inside and out, she is one of the most incredible people you will ever meet, and we are blessed as coaches to see first-hand the impact that one player can have on a program. Ashland is getting the complete package in Kylee Urban."