Wyoming Cowgirl Volleyball Adds Eight

University of Wyoming volleyball head coach Chad Callihan unveiled his first recruiting class Wednesday with the addition of eight student-athletes. This year's class hails from seven different states.

In a release from the University, Callihan said, “With the timing of our hire, we are fortunate to have this class come together. We lose four very good players to graduation and this class will help to fill the void that has been created. Each player fills a different need but all have the qualities that we are looking for in our Cowgirls. They are competitive, driven academically and will be good ambassadors for Wyoming athletics. We can’t wait to get them in our gym and watch their growth as players over the next few years.”

This year's class includes one setter, two defensive specialists, two outside hitters and three middle blockers.

Here's a brief look at the signees:

(Information courtesy of UW Athletics Media Relations)

Lily Austin, 5-7, Defensive Specialist, Nampa, Idaho (Skyview HS): She was a three-time First Team All-State selection, as well as a four-time All-Conference honoree. Austin was also a three-time team captain.

Emily Hines, 6-0, Outside Hitter, Olathe, Kan. (Olathe HS): A four-time letterwinner at Olathe North High School. She was a three-time All-Sunflower League selection, while being a team captain for two seasons. Of note, her mother played volleyball for the Cowgirls from 1984-88 and her father played baseball at Wyoming from 1985-88.

Kelly O’Brien, 6-1, Middle Blocker, Long Beach, Calif. (R.A. Millikan HS): She was a three-time All-Moore League performer and was named the Max Preps Player of the Year in 2013.

Laurel Place, 6-0, Middle Blocker, Cody, Wyo. (Cody HS): A two-time All-State and three-time All-Conference selection while attending Cody High School. Place helped her team to a State Championship in 2011.

Danielle Root, 6-1, Outside Hitter, Eagle, Neb. (Waverly HS): She was an All-State and All-Conference selection during her career. Root was also named to the Nebraska State Championships All-Tournament Team in 2012 after leading her team to a third-place finish in the Class B Nebraska State Championships.

Marley Taylor, 6-0, Middle Blocker, Idaho Falls, Idaho (Idaho Falls HS): Joins the Wyoming program after red-shirting last season at Eastern Washington University. Prior to that, she earned First Team All-State her senior season and Second Team All-State as a junior.

Allison Waldvogel, 5-7, Defensive Specialist, Joliet, Ill. (Lindenwood University): A two-time letterwinner at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., an NCAA Division II affiliate. Waldvogel will have two seasons of eligibility for remaining for the Cowgirls. She led the Lions in service aces in 2012 and 2013. She played her high school volleyball at Plainfield South High School, where she was selected Southwest Prairie All-Conference and named the Athlete of the Year her senior season.

Danielle Westfall, 5-11, Setter, Phoenix, Ariz. (Xavier College Prep): A three-time letterwinner at Xavier College Prep. She was named the Most Improved Player her sophomore and senior seasons. Westfall helped lead her team win a State Championship in 2013.

For more on the Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball recruiting class, click here.