VB Inks Two for 2016 Signing Class
11/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
First-year head coach Ryan McGuyre welcomes in his first recruiting class at the helm of the program, after joining the BU family in December of 2014.
Daria Richards
6'2, MB, Okemos, Mich., Okemos HS
Daria Richards signed with the Bears out of Okemos, Michigan and Okemos High School. Richards is a 6'2 middle blocker that carries a long list of accolades, both on and off the court.
Leading the Chiefs to two conference championships and a runner-up spot, Richards has garnered significant attention in her junior career, earning watch list recognition by the Junior Volleyball Association and landing on the PrepVolleyball.com Soph 79 list in 2013. Richards earned two-time All-Conference and All-Region recognition, as well as All-State Honorable Mention and spots on the Lansing State Journal and Michigan High School Sports Scene's Dream Team.
"Daria brings some much needed length for us, both as a middle and as a right outside hitter," said McGuyre. "She also gives us an offensive weapon off of one foot. I think she can be unstoppable off one foot and we're looking forward to her also making an immediate impact for us. She's going to give us a really strong core in the middle."
Nicole Thomas
6'1, MB, Midlothian, Va., James River HS
Nicole Thomas signed with the Bears out of Midlothian, Virginia and James River High School. She is a 6'1 middle blocker that will join BU after closing out an already successful high school career, leading the Rapids to consecutive conference championships.
"I think it's such a special athlete that we're bringing here," said McGuyre. "I'm deeply impressed with her athleticism. But overall, I think she's going to be such a good fit for the program. She's such a brilliant athlete and there's some rawness there so that once we get into the gym, she's going to soak things up very, very quickly. She's a strong kid academically and the character, to me, is very impressive. As we're trying to make it a good volleyball experience for everyone, Nicole's one of those kids that's going to heighten the experience for her teammates. Being such a fast learner is going to really allow her to make an immediate impact for us."
A year ago, Baylor signed three additions to the program, but would go on to a disappointing 14-17 season finish. After the offseason transition, head coach Ryan McGuyre has the squad in position to play for a postseason berth, sitting at 37 in the NCAA's RPI rankings with a 16-9 record.
"The impact that I think they're going to bring is an increased work ethic and a high commitment to success," said McGuyre. "The new girls have embraced that, but there's been some training to get to that point. With Daria and Nicole, it's been deeply engrained in them already. They're going to walk into an atmosphere that I think they'll be prepared for, but that they'll also help strengthen."
2016 Baylor Volleyball Signing Class
Daria Richards
6'2, MB, Okemos, Mich., Okemos HS
Nicole Thomas
6'1, MB, Midlothian, Va., James River HS
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