Murray State University Athletics
Schwepker Signs Four to Racer Volleyball
11/21/2016 3:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Murray State's David Schwepker has announced the recent signings of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play volleyball for the Racers beginning next fall.
"Once again I feel I have brought in a unique group of student-athletes that are going to be able to help us stay at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference and excel in the classroom," said Schwepker.
"We are very fortunate that these young ladies have chosen Murray State for their new "home" for the next four years."
Callie Anderton, 5-10, Setter, Collierville, Tenn., Briarcrest Christian School
Anderton is the all-time leader in career assists in Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association history with 4,865 and is fourth all-time with 440 career service aces. A five-year varsity starter, Anderton is a two-time all-state and First Team All-Region honoree. Anderton helped lead the Saints to a State Championship in 2016 and a runner-up finish in 2015. Anderton was also named the 2015 Best of Preps Player of the Year and was named to the Phenom Watchlist in 2013-16. Anderton was also named to the Best of Preps list the last four seasons.
"Callie is coming in at the setter position and is going to bring in a wealth of experience and athleticism at the position," said Schwepker.
"She is coming off an extremely successful high school career, capping it off with a state championship. Callie is a high-level setter and extremely capable of running an offense at the collegiate level. She will be able to come in and compete for a starting position from the beginning."
Becca Fernandez, 5-2, Libero/DS, Carol Stream, Ill., St. Francis College Preparatory
Fernandez has been named all-area and all-conference in each of the past two seasons and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Early Bird Classic and Asics Challenge while also being named the Tournament MVP at the National Junior Classic in 2016. Fernandez also participated in cheerleading and softball in high school.
"Becca will be coming in at the libero position," commented Schwepker.
"She has played at an extremely high level both in high school and in club and I believe she will definitely be able to contribute as a freshman. Becca has all of the attributes I look for in an outstanding libero and I believe she will help solidify our defense for years to come."
Katirah Johnson, 5-11, Middle Hitter, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Mascoutah High School
Johnson was a two-time All-Mississippi Valley Conference Team selection and a two-time all-area honoree at Mascoutah High School. Johnson helped lead the Indians to three consecutive conference championships and a pair of trips to the IHSA Class 3A State Tournament.
"Katirah will come in at the middle position and she has one of the fastest first-steps to close the block that I have seen in an athlete," said Schwepker.
"For that reason, I believe she is going to be an exceptional middle blocker for our program. Katirah is relatively new to volleyball but in the short time she has played, her progression is outstanding. I know she will be able to continue that progress here at Murray State."
Kolby McClelland, 5-11, Middle Hitter, Bowen, Ill., Southeastern High School
McClelland was a four-time West Central Conference All-Conference honoree and was a Second Team All-State member. McClelland was named the MVP and First Team All-American at the Ohio Junior Nationals. McClelland helped lead the Suns to three regional titles during her career. For her career, McClelland recorded 1,700 kills, including 534 her senior season and had 635 career digs. McClelland is also a highly decorated, all-state basketball player at Southeastern and a member of the National Honor Society.
"Kolby is a very talented athlete that I believe is really going to excel at this level," added Schwepker.
"She does not have as high a level of playing experience as some of the other signees, but with her athletic ability and intelligence, she will be able to adapt quickly and become an exceptional collegiate athlete. Kolby plays as a middle hitter in high school and club, but we feel she could either stay as a middle or transition into an outside hitter. She is very versatile."
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"Once again I feel I have brought in a unique group of student-athletes that are going to be able to help us stay at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference and excel in the classroom," said Schwepker.
"We are very fortunate that these young ladies have chosen Murray State for their new "home" for the next four years."
Callie Anderton, 5-10, Setter, Collierville, Tenn., Briarcrest Christian School
Anderton is the all-time leader in career assists in Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association history with 4,865 and is fourth all-time with 440 career service aces. A five-year varsity starter, Anderton is a two-time all-state and First Team All-Region honoree. Anderton helped lead the Saints to a State Championship in 2016 and a runner-up finish in 2015. Anderton was also named the 2015 Best of Preps Player of the Year and was named to the Phenom Watchlist in 2013-16. Anderton was also named to the Best of Preps list the last four seasons.
"Callie is coming in at the setter position and is going to bring in a wealth of experience and athleticism at the position," said Schwepker.
"She is coming off an extremely successful high school career, capping it off with a state championship. Callie is a high-level setter and extremely capable of running an offense at the collegiate level. She will be able to come in and compete for a starting position from the beginning."
Becca Fernandez, 5-2, Libero/DS, Carol Stream, Ill., St. Francis College Preparatory
Fernandez has been named all-area and all-conference in each of the past two seasons and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Early Bird Classic and Asics Challenge while also being named the Tournament MVP at the National Junior Classic in 2016. Fernandez also participated in cheerleading and softball in high school.
"Becca will be coming in at the libero position," commented Schwepker.
"She has played at an extremely high level both in high school and in club and I believe she will definitely be able to contribute as a freshman. Becca has all of the attributes I look for in an outstanding libero and I believe she will help solidify our defense for years to come."
Katirah Johnson, 5-11, Middle Hitter, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Mascoutah High School
Johnson was a two-time All-Mississippi Valley Conference Team selection and a two-time all-area honoree at Mascoutah High School. Johnson helped lead the Indians to three consecutive conference championships and a pair of trips to the IHSA Class 3A State Tournament.
"Katirah will come in at the middle position and she has one of the fastest first-steps to close the block that I have seen in an athlete," said Schwepker.
"For that reason, I believe she is going to be an exceptional middle blocker for our program. Katirah is relatively new to volleyball but in the short time she has played, her progression is outstanding. I know she will be able to continue that progress here at Murray State."
Kolby McClelland, 5-11, Middle Hitter, Bowen, Ill., Southeastern High School
McClelland was a four-time West Central Conference All-Conference honoree and was a Second Team All-State member. McClelland was named the MVP and First Team All-American at the Ohio Junior Nationals. McClelland helped lead the Suns to three regional titles during her career. For her career, McClelland recorded 1,700 kills, including 534 her senior season and had 635 career digs. McClelland is also a highly decorated, all-state basketball player at Southeastern and a member of the National Honor Society.
"Kolby is a very talented athlete that I believe is really going to excel at this level," added Schwepker.
"She does not have as high a level of playing experience as some of the other signees, but with her athletic ability and intelligence, she will be able to adapt quickly and become an exceptional collegiate athlete. Kolby plays as a middle hitter in high school and club, but we feel she could either stay as a middle or transition into an outside hitter. She is very versatile."
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