Volleyball Signs First Four To Incoming 2017 Class

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson volleyball program signed four incoming freshmen to NLI’s on Wednesday afternoon with two more expected to join the program in January. The incoming class of 2017 is Hugh Hernesman’s second in his time at Clemson and is the program’s best recruiting classes in recent history as three of the signees were honored on AVCA Under Armour All-American lists and all four of them were named to PrepVolleyball’s Class of 2017 Senior Aces: “The 150”.

“This is a very, very exciting time for the future of Clemson volleyball,” said head coach Hugh Hernesman. “This 2017 class is extremely driven to represent Clemson University in the best way possible and make this program great. One of the messages we told this group was not to choose Clemson because of its beautiful campus, its outstanding academics, the immense amount of school pride or the athletic success across the board. We wanted them to commit to Clemson volleyball so that we can build this program to where it has been in the past and strive for new heights. Build it into a top program in an emerging ACC conference. Build it into an NCAA Tournament team that can do damage once we’re there. This is why they’re coming here. They are going to do all they can to make Clemson volleyball great. 

“History has shown that Clemson has been that team in the past and it is capable of going there again. It is not an overnight task and we all understand that. Just look at what our soccer programs have accomplished over the last five seasons- they’ve gone from the bottom to the top. And while it doesn’t happen overnight, the first thing that needs to happen is that you need to add talented players that help build a team as well as its culture. This group 100% does that. We are adding very talented players that come from winning high school and club programs- programs that are nationally recognized. But most importantly, we are adding solid people and solid families that help to build the culture even stronger. We’re not in the talent collection business. We do not think that’s the path. We’re in the team building business. So on top of adding talented players, we need to find the right fit. The “Clemson Fit”. This is what we believe we have in this class. As the first class that we were able to fully recruit, we look forward to them joining our current group of young talent that continues to get better every day and seeing what they can accomplish over the course of their four years together.”

Name: Lisie KitPosition: SetterHeight: 6-0Hometown: Southlake, TexasHigh School: Southlake Carroll Senior High SchoolClub: Skyline Juniors Volleyball ClubMajor: Engineering 

Lisie Kit is one of the nation’s top setters in this year’s incoming class as she was named an AVCA Under Armour All-American honorable mention this year. In 2015, Kit was named one of PrepVolleyball’s Breakthrough Players and was the DFW Division 7-6A Setter of the Year. She has set her club team to top 10 finishes in the nation each of the last three years and has won her high school’s district championships all four years.

What They’re SayingHugh Hernesman: “Lisie, first and foremost, can flat out set the ball. Her consistency and ability to locate stood out right away for us. Her talents really started to blossom during her sophomore club season, which coincided with our arrival to Clemson. Lisie is a legitimate 6’0” and possibly still growing, so will have the size to be an effective block in the front row as a 5-1 system setter. Just as important, Lisie is a tremendous leader and a winner. Her high school and club teams have consistently been among the top ranked teams in the country.” 

“She’s been trained by some of the best in the country and will continue on that path this spring in club. Off the court, Lisie is a tremendous student and the strong academics at Clemson were a huge draw for her.”

Lisie Kit: “I chose Clemson because I love the environment, coaching staff, players, location, and extreme competition that comes with playing in such a big conference. I am excited to make new relationships with people that love the same things I do and get into the grind of college volleyball!” 

Name: Chloe AndertonPosition: Middle BlockerHeight: 6-3Hometown: Atlanta, GeorgiaHigh School: St. Pius X Catholic High SchoolClub: Tsunami Volleyball ClubMajor: International Business or Psychology 

Chloe Anderton was recently named a third-team AVCA Under Armour All-American, was honored on the GVCA All-State team as well as the Region All-Area 8AAAA Team to cap off what has been an impressive senior season for St. Pius. This season, Anderton finished with 207 kills and 102 blocks, highlighted by a .384 hitting percentage which stands as the second best percentage in school history. She finished her high school career with 563 kills, a .335 hitting percentage, 104 solo blocks and 327 total blocks, giving her the school record. Her success goes back as far as her freshman year when she assisted her team to its first state championship and was the state runner-up as a junior. In 2015 she was named an AVCA Under Armour “Phenom” and was an all-state honorable mention her junior season.

What They’re SayingHugh Hernesman: “Chloe will be a great addition to our program. She’s a physical player that has developed her game immensely since we first saw her play in the spring of 2015. Chloe will begin her career as a middle blocker, but we do so much cross training by position, that she will have an opportunity to develop the rest of her game and add the versatility that helps players be great in college.” 

“Chloe is a middle that started out very good in front of the setter off two feet, but has now developed an ability to go behind the setter as a slide attacker. She has good feet and works hard to make herself available in transition as an attacker. This summer, she really stood out at camp and walked away with the MVP- which as saying a lot with the level of talent we had at our Elite Camp. Although she had an injury late in her high school season, we’re not worried one bit and look forward to her getting healthy in mid-spring and then getting after it this summer and next fall season.”

John Frederick, St. Pius X Catholic High School Head Coach: “Chloe is an all-around player who brings her best to every game. She brings enthusiasm and a good attitude, and a killer right arm to the Clemson Tigers. I have no doubt that her energy and abilities will take her far.”

Jeff McClellan, Tsunami Club Director: “Chloe Anderton is a perfect fit for Clemson. She plays with enthusiasm at a high level and she is ready to put on the Orange and Purple for Coach Hernesman and Tiger Nation. Her teams here at Tsunami have consistently placed in the top 5 at national competitions.” 

Chloe Anderton: “I am so excited to join the Clemson family! The atmosphere at Clemson is invigorating and I absolutely cannot wait to be apart of it! #KeepTheVision!”

Name: Alyssa DeloneyPosition: Outside/Right SideHeight: 6-1Hometown: Houston, TexasHigh School: Cypress Falls High SchoolClub: Texas Tornados 18 MizunoMajor: Pre-Law 

Alyssa Deloney brings a high level of versatile talent to the Tigers as she can compete on the outside, right side and the middle but projects to be a pin hitter during her time in Clemson. This year has been one full of success at an elite level for Deloney as she has led her teams to a third place finish at the USAV Junior Nationals in the USA Division and a second consecutive district championship. She’s been named honored on the all-district team back-to-back seasons and was named to the USAV Junior Nationals All-Tournament Team as well as Houston Vype Magazine’s Fab 50 Preseason Players.

What They’re SayingHugh Hernesman: “Alyssa brings so many important things to our program. First of all, she is an intense and fierce competitor. We love those types of players because when you hate to lose more than you love to win, you’ll do anything you have to do to make it happen. It’s no coincidence that the teams that Alyssa has been on have all been very successful. I believe she’s part of that drive that a team needs so desperately to win. Additionally, as a player, Alyssa can do it all. When we first saw her play, she was a middle that was playing all six rotations- so she could pass and defend at a very good level. Her role in high school has been to do it all- so she would block middle, side out on the pins and then also play all six rotations because her team needed her ball control and back court defense.” 

“This high school season, she killed over 450 balls as a part-time middle and outside and led her team by a wide margin in total blocks with over 150. That’s a complete player. We envision Alyssa on a pin- whether that’s on the right or the left- doesn’t matter right now. That all sorts itself out in the wash. What we do know is that we’re getting a very versatile and competitive player that will help drive this program to the next level.”

Kathy Stephenson, Cypress Falls High School Head Coach: “I am so proud of Alyssa.  She’s been a dominant player, at the net, as a 4 year starter at Cy-Falls.  She is an outstanding leader, athlete, teammate and student.  I know her intensity and drive will be a true asset at the next level.”

Jerry Aldridge, Texas Tornados Volleyball Head Coach: “Hugh, and the Clemson volleyball program, have hit it big in the signing of Alyssa Deloney! I’ve had the pleasure of coaching and watching Alyssa develop over the years into an outstanding student-athlete. She possesses all the intangibles … great in the classroom, a leader on and off the court, athleticism, power and a desire to get better every day! What I’ve admired most about Alyssa is her true passion for the sport and her will to win at all cost. She’s a cornerstone type player, and they don’t grow on trees. I wish Alyssa and the Clemson volleyball program the best and look forward to seeing Alyssa blossom at the next level.” 

Alyssa Deloney: “As soon as I stepped on the campus, I knew Clemson was the place for me. The atmosphere and school spirit is so inviting and there’s no other place like it. The coaches and the volleyball program have an amazing vision and determination to be the best they can be, both on and off the court. Not only does Clemson have great athletic teams, but they also have excellent academic programs which is super important to me. The school and volleyball program are truly one big family and I’m so glad I get to be a part of it.”

“The thing that excites me most about going to Clemson is the school spirit. Seeing the crowds all dressed in orange and purple in Death Valley gives me goosebumps and it’s crazy to think I’ll be there in person instead of watching on my TV in less than a year.” 

Name: Julia HatcherPosition: Middle BlockerHeight: 6-3Hometown: Lexington, Ky.High School: Lexington Catholic High SchoolClub: Lexington United VolleyballMajor: Undecided

Julia Hatcher is a middle that can do it all, owning her high school’s single-season record for kills (228) and blocks (90). Hatcher’s year thus far has been highlighted by her AVCA Under Armour All-American honorable mention to go along with her team’s ninth place finish at the AAU National Championship. It was her team’s best finish at AAU National’s since 2014 in which they placed third before taking 13th in 2015. Hatcher was named to the AVCA Under Armour Phenom list in 2015 as well as all-district and all-city. In 2014, she was an all-city honorable mention.

What They’re SayingHugh Hernesman: “Julia has earned this opportunity through hard work, dedication and detail in her training. When we first saw Julia play, her blocking ability stood out right away. She has great lateral speed and strong blocking instincts. Where Julia improved the most was offensively. What we saw from March of 2015 to October of 2015 was a complete offensive transformation. Julia put in a ton of time with her club coach to polish up her offensive game and that’s all we needed to see from her. So when I say she’s earned it, she absolutely has. She put in the work and got great training. But the fact that she made it a priority and had the drive to be great will take her a long way as a collegiate athlete- both on the court and in the classroom.” 

Ashley Federle, Lexington Catholic High School Head Coach: “Julia has had a tremendous impact on our varsity team and growth and development of our volleyball program since 2014. For three years Julia was a starting middle blocker for our team. She was hands down the most aggressive player at the net all three seasons. Julia has led the team in kills and blocks for the past two years. As a senior she was one of our captains and was our most passionate, emotionally intense, and vocal player on the court.”

“Julia was undoubtedly one of the most intimidating players that our opponents had to face. With her ability to hit the ten-foot line, keep balls in play, stuff block, and find openings on the court she was a constant threat match-after-match. I have loved watching Julia play every match with the desire to win, excitement for the game, and an intensity that top-level athletes play with. Julia will be an incredible asset to Clemson during her tenure there. I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish next!”

Kyle Walton, Lexington United Volleyball Head Coach: “Julia is one of the hardest working players that I have been around in club volleyball or college volleyball.  We started Julia as a 15 year old without ever playing at an elite level and to receive a scholarship to a school like Clemson should say everything about who the Clemson fans are about to watch for four years. She brings a passion for the middle blocker position and will impact the game with her ability to block right away. Julia will bring a lot to the volleyball program both on the court and off the court.”

Julia Hatcher: “I chose Clemson because of the family-like atmosphere, athletic support, and the vision coaches Hugh and Stephanie have for the program. They want to build something great, and I want to be a part of it. I’m most excited about starting a new journey with a new team and coaches and being a part of the Clemson Family.”