Mar 14, 2024

Volleyball Adds Five to 2024 Class

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson Volleyball team and Head Coach Jackie Simpson Kirr has announced the addition of five signees to the incoming class of 2024 on Thursday. This is Simpson Kirr’s third signing class at the helm of the Clemson program and clocks in as the No. 38 ranked recruiting class. The five additions that include Taylor Bahnub, Lejla Sara Hadžiredžepović, Neea-Maria Joki, Claire Luoma and Addisen Rains will join mid-year transfers Indigo Young (Charleston Southern) and Kate Hansen (Texas Tech) as the newest additions to the 2024 roster.

“This class may be our best overall ball control group we have brought into the program,” said Simpson Kirr. “I look forward to this group joining us as we continue to relentlessly pursue excellence.”

Taylor Bahnub · Middle/Outside · Dublin, Ohio · Dublin Jerome

Was the 2023 Conference Player of the Year
2023 First Team All-District and Second Team All-State
2023 Team Captain and Team MVP; 2022 Team Offensive Player of the Year
2022 First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-District
2021 Second Team All-Conference
Set school record for kills with 398 her senior year
AVCA All-Region, AVCA Best and Brightest First Team, Preseason Super 12, Under Armor Next Invitee (2x), PrepVolleyball 17U All-American, AVCA Phenom (2x), JVA Watchlist (2x)
Helped Mintonette m.71 finish ninth in 17 Open at AAU Nationals and helped Mintonette m.51 be crowned USAV National Champions in 2022
Was a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist

Simpson Kirr on Bahnub: “Taylor has a natural arm swing and is able to a hit a wide variety of shots. She is extremely coachable and will add great depth to our middle positional group.”

Lejla Sara Hadžiredžepović · Outside · Reykjavík, Iceland · Menntaskólinn á tröllaskaga

Member of the Iceland National Team
Was the youngest player on the Senior National Team
Most perspective player of Iceland (2021)
2022 Dream Team Outside and MVP of the Tournament (NEVZA) with National Team U17
2021 Dream Team Opposite of the Tournament (NEVZA) with National Team U17
Most perspective player of 2022-23 Afturelding Club
Most perspective player of 2019 HK club
Best youth player of 2019 HK club
Earned the award for taking part in most national games (U17, U19, U21 and Senior National Team)

Simpson Kirr on Hadžiredžepović: “Lejla is extremely committed to being her very best. She has a determination to learn and grow at every skill that is unmatched by most.”

Neea-Maria Joki · Outside · Tampere, Finland · Sammon keskuslukio

Member of Finnish Volleyball Junior National Teams from U14-U19
Selected for the Finnish National Team camp in 2022 and 2023
Won the North European Championships (NEVZA) four times (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Selected to the Dream Team every year of Tournament (NEVZA)
Voted the 2022 Breakthrough Player of the Year in the Finnish League
Named 2021 Finnish Volleyball Female Junior of the Year Award
Earned Bronze in the U15 Finnish Championship with Woman Volley club team, and selected to the Dream Team (2019)
2023 Lempo-Volley U21 Finnish Champion
2020-21 First Division Finnish Championship Silver and 2021-22 Finnish League Silver

Simpson Kirr on Joki: “Neea has a high volleyball IQ that I believe will allow her to adapt quickly to our level of play. Her technical ability and competitive maturity reflect playing at the highest level in Finland.”

Claire Luoma · Libero · Franklin, Wis. · Franklin HS

Invited to train with the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program (NTDP) a total of 10 times
Ranked the #1 libero in Wisconsin by Prep Dig for Class of 2024
Ranked in the Top 10 nationally for liberos by Prep Dig
AVCA Phenom Watch List (2020, 2021, 2022)
2023 All-Conference Player of the Year and two-time First Team All-Conference with one Second Team selection
Broke career digs record at Franklin HS in only three seasons with 1,379 total digs, and also set season digs record with 628 in 2022
2023 Second Team All-State, Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All-Tournament Team
Helped Franklin HS to become Sectional and Regional Champions to make the State Tournament
Four-time Scholar Athlete in Wisconsin

Simpson Kirr on Luoma: “Claire is a rockstar on the back line. She has a natural platform that is so consistent. She is a tenacious defender that keeps her team in long rallies.”

Addi Rains · Libero/Defensive Specialist · Yorktown, Ind. · Yorktown HS

AVCA All-America Watch List and 2021-22 AVCA Phenom Watch List
JVA Watchlist (2021-2023)
2021 USA Volleyball National Team Development Program training team
Assisted Yorktown HS to be four-time Delaware County Champion
2020 State Champion with a perfect 28-0 season – finished with a career record of 118-13
2022 State Runner-Up, two-time Regional Champion, two-time Semi-State Champion and four-time Sectional Champion
2022 & 2023 All-Delaware County Team and Hoosier Heritage Conference Team
2022 IHSVCA Watch List, 2022 Indiana Junior All-Star Team and 2023 Senior All-Star Invite
2023 18 Open Munciana Samauri National Champions AAU

Simpson Kirr on Rains: “Addi is one of the most disciplined back row players I have ever worked with. She is a gritty defender that has a contagious energy for those on the back line with her. She is the type of player that makes others around her better.”

Rains joined the Tigers for the 2024 spring semester, while the remaining incoming freshmen will begin training with Clemson for the fall season. The current volleyball team is training and participating in spring semester scrimmages. Jervey Gym renovations are also in progress. Fans can view the full renovation plan here.