* University of Wyoming press release

LARAMIE -- Wyoming head volleyball coach Chad Callihan has announced the addition of five future student-athletes who will be joining the Cowgirls next fall. Wyoming added five new student-athletes to the 2023 recruiting class in Peyton Carruth, Sierra Grizzle, Paige Lauterwasser, Abi Millby and Evelyn Udezue.

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“We put a real focus on not just finding the most talented student-athletes this year, but we needed to find the right student-athletes,” said Callihan. “By that, I mean that we are looking for true competitors. Players that are willing to grind when things aren’t going well. We think that we have recruited those that have a fighter’s spirit and truly care about competing. That is important for us as we look to climb back to the top of the Mountain West standings.”

Peyton Carruth | 5-9 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Casper, Wyo.
Carruth has been a highly-decorated student-athlete throughout her prep career at Kelly Walsh High School. Carruth has been a three-time all-conference honoree and two-time all-state selection. Carruth has led her team to multiple state tournaments and at the 2019 Wyoming State Tournament, she was the only freshman starter at the tournament. Carruth is the sister of current Cowgirl, Corin Carruth.

“Peyton is another Wyoming athlete that we have known for years,” said Callihan. “She has not had the opportunity to play club at the highest level, but she has a great skillset and has a way of making the game look easy. She will not shy away from competition, and I think she will find a way to make our team better, regardless of position on the court.”

Sierra Grizzle | 5-4 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Boise, Idaho
Grizzle, who has been a multiple-time letter winner at Mountain View High School. Grizzle has been a two-time all-conference honoree and was an all-state selection last season. She has also been a multiple-time Academic All-Conference honoree and holds the school record for most single-game kills with 30.

“With Erika Jones forgoing her remaining playing career for a graduate assistantship and Hailey Zuroske’s acceptance to our Pharmacy program at UW, the libero position is a real need,” continued Callihan. “We talk about student-athletes who pursue a ball to the bleachers compared to one that will go into the bleachers. I think Sierra is an ‘in the bleachers’ type of player. That fearlessness, coupled with her skills, will create an opportunity for her to make an impact early in her career.”

Paige Lauterwasser | 6-0 | Outside Hitter | Naperville, Ill.
A two-time team captain at Napierville North High School, Lauterwasser has been a two-time MVP as well. Lauterwasser was the 2022 conference player of the year and has been a three-time all-conference selection. Lauterwasser has led her team to a pair of conference titles and a regional championship during her career. She also became the fourth student-athlete in program history to reach 1,000 career kills. Lauterwasser has also been a multiple-time academic all-conference honoree.

“Paige plays in a very high-level club and has the athleticism and IQ to come in and make an impact right away,” said Callihan of Lauterwasser. “Six-rotation outside hitters that can stay on the floor are hard to find. Paige’s ability to score at either pin, ball control and defend gives us another six-rotation option that we have been working to develop. Every coach we have spoken with, speaks very highly of the effort that Paige puts into improving and we are excited to have that dedication in our gym.”

Abi Millby | 5-10 | Outside Hitter | Casper, Wyo.
Millby, who was also high school teammates with Petyon Carruth at Kelly Walsh HS, was a team captain in 2022. Millby has been a two-time all-conference and all-state selection during her prep career. Millby helped lead her team to a pair of runner-up finishes at the Wyoming State Tournament and was a USA Nationals All-Tournament Team honoree in 2022. Millby has also been a highly-decorated track and field student-athlete at Kelly Walsh.

“I feel like we have known Abi forever, as she has been attending our camps for years,” commented Callihan. “We are really excited to finally have her join as a student-athlete. We love the opportunity to get Wyoming student-athletes and I believe Abi will surprise a lot of people. She is a quick attacker who really developed in her first year of club volleyball. She is another player who will sacrifice to keep a play alive.”

Evelyn Udezue | 6-3 | Middle Blocker | Laramie, Wyo.
Udezue, who played her prep career at Brighton High School in Colorado, was a First Team All-State and All-Conference honoree. Udezue was the East Metro Athletic Conference Player of the Year last season and has been a multiple-time academic honoree. She was a First Team Academic All-State the last two years and was a team captain this year. Udezue, whose father, Ugo played basketball at Wyoming, led Brighton to a pair of conference championships.

“Evelyn will bring length and athleticism to our middle blocker position,” said Callihan. “She has the ability to score in front of and behind the setter, which is a real bonus. Evelyn’s lateral movement will allow her to develop into one of the best at blocking. With a little time, we believe Evelyn can be one of the best in the conference at her position.”

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