TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State volleyball team and Head Coach Sanja Tomasevic announced its 2017 signing class Friday afternoon.
"I am beyond excited about this new group of Sun Devils," said Tomasevic. "They are a group of high caliber athletes who excel both on the court and in the classroom. I can't wait to get them on campus and in the gym, as we jet full speed into the 2017 campaign."
The class of eight features transfers Peyton Grahovac (Long Beach State), Brooke Westphal (South Florida State College) and Alexa Lister (Louisiana Tech/daughter of 2000 Sun Devil Hall of Fame inductee Alton Lister), as well as incoming freshmen Griere Hughes, Danica Krstonošic, Shelbie Dobmeier, Megan Beedie and Mary Vidal.
The eight newcomers and their respective bios are listed below:
Peyton Grahovac
6-2 | Opposite | Orange, Calif. | Villa Park HS (Long Beach St.) | Junior
2015-16 (at Long Beach St.): In two seasons at Long Beach St. Grahovac accumulated 321 kills and 85 blocks, competing in 165 sets while making 44 starts…During her sophomore campaign, Grahovac played in 81 sets and was fifth on the team in kills with 121 to her credit…Posted 40 blocks, 36 digs and 21 assists in 2016...During her freshman season, Grahovac started in 24 matches while appearing in 84 sets…Notched 200 kills and 40 blocks, while concluding the season third on the team in hitting percentage with a .308 clip to her credit in 2015…Earned Big West All-Freshman honors courtesy of her tremendous efforts in 2015…Was a Big West All-Academic honoree in 2015 and 2016.
High School/Juniors: A native of Orange, California Grahovac graduated from Villa Park High School where she garnered a laundry list of accolades…Was a two-time All-CIF selection and two-time Century League MVP while also being named the Orange City News Athlete of the Year in 2014-15…Was also a two-time All-Orange County honoree…Played a pivotal role in leading Villa Park to its first-ever Century League title in 2013 and a second consecutive title in 2014…Led her team to the semifinals of the Division 1A CIF-Southern Section playoffs in 2014 marking the the deepest run in school history, after leading it to the second round in 2013…Led all of Orange County with 496 kills in 2014.
Personal: Comes from an athletic background as her father, Mike, played five seasons of professional baseball for the San Francisco Giants, and her mother, Najla, is a personal trainer…Has one brother, Gavin (12 years old) …Chose ASU over Auburn, SDSU, and Clemson…Interested in sports psychology and intends on majoring in kinesiology and psychology.
Grahovac on what drew her to Arizona State: "I love the athletic competition of all sports in the Pac-12, and ASU has such an amazing new coaching staff that I immediately wanted to play for. I loved the whole program, especially the girls on the team, and the city of Tempe itself was really cool. I overall felt it was the best fit for me."
Griere Hughes
5-11 | Outside Hitter | Fishers, Indiana | Hamilton Southeastern HS | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana after spending her first portion of her varsity career at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis…As a senior in high school, Hughes recorded a .232 hitting percentage with 125 kills, 34 digs, four aces and six total blocks in the 47 sets she played on the year…Led the Royals to a 27-5 record, a 5-1 conference record and as high as a No. 6 ranking in the state…Hit at a .275 clip with 292 kills, 130 digs, 34 aces and 22 total blocks while leading her team to a 28-9 record with a 7-0 conference record as a junior…Logged a .256 hitting percentage with 413 kills, 185 digs, 31 aces and 36 total blocks as a sophomore…Member of the Circle City Volleyball Club…Part of the 2016 17U Purple team…Was an OVA 18U All-Star and WCSSAA All-Star while competing for Team Ontario in 2016-17.
Personal: Is the daughter of William Arnold and Robin Hughes, and has two siblings, Grant (23) and Gabrielle (19)…She is interested in writing, film and the psychology of athletic performance and intends on majoring in creative writing, journalism and communications (film and script writing…Has written a book she hopes to publish.
Hughes on what drew her to ASU: "The trifecta! 1. Academic rigor, professors, teaching, 2. Level of volleyball play and coaching, 3. Location."
Danica Krstonošic
6-3 | Outside/Right-Side | Novi Sad, Serbia | Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Krstonošic joins Ivana Jeremic (Serbia) and Carmen Unzue (Spain) as the third international-born player on the Sun Devils' 2017 roster…Was a member of the Serbian U19 national team in 2016…She competed as a member of the Serbian-based Kluk Volleyball Club, helping propel the team to a 21-1 record and its first ever Serbian League title.
Personal: Krstonošic is the daughter of Dragan and Danijela Krstonošic…She has one sibling, a younger sister named Emilija (13) …Plans on majoring in software engineering and business entrepreneurship and hopes to one day work as a software engineer like her father…Is an accomplished individual on and off the court attending Serbia's prestigious Petnica Research Center while also competing in national math and geography competitions.
Krstonošic on what drew her to ASU: "I have always dreamed of competing at such a high level. I am beyond excited to study at a University like Arizona State."
Shelbie Dobmeier
6-1 | Setter | Lakewood, Calif. | Lakewood HS | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Dobmeier is a decorated setter out of Lakewood High School…Helped propel Lakewood to a 32-6 during her senior campaign…By virtue of her exceptional play she earned a number of accolades including First-Team All-CIF honors (2014-16), 2016 Moore League MVP honors, Moore League First-Team All-League honors (2013-16), Captains Award honors in 2015 and 2016, Coaches Award honors in 2014 and Team MVP honors in 2015 and 2016… Accomplished student-athlete on and off the court and Dobmeier was named to Lakewood's honor roll in all four years she attended the high school…Dobmeier also competed at the club member as a member of Club H Volleyball.
Personal: Dobmeier is the daughter of Sadie Dobmeier and has two siblings, Teddy (9) and Tessa (7) … She enjoys riding bikes and going target shooting in her free…Dobmeier is interested in criminal law and hopes to one day work in law enforcement.
Megan Beedie
6-1 | Middle | Cambridge, Ontario | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge, Ontario…Helped the Jacob Hespeler Hawks capture the school's first ever Senior WCSSAA (Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association) champions…Selected as the MVP of the WCSSAA by the Cambridge Times… Led her team past the Forest Height Trojans in the CWOSSA championship with a dominating all-around performance at the net and with her serve…Tabbed as an OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) 18U All-Star…Played her club volleyball at Pakmen Volleyball Club, the owner of 26 national championships, 58 provincial championships, and 10 international championships…A member of the prestigious 18U Pakmen Gold team…Was named the MVP of her Team Ontario volleyball club, the Guelph Grizzlies.
Personal: Beedie is the daughter of Brad and Sandy Beedie…She has one sibling, an older sister named Taylor…Plans on majoring in Sociology because of her interest in social sciences…Has a career goal of becoming a real estate agent…Her favorite athlete is Gavin Schmitt, a Canadian professional volleyball player that is a member of the Canadian National Team…Outside of the volleyball court, she enjoys skiing.
Mary Vidal
5-4 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | San Antonio, Texas | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Antonian College Preparatory in San Antonio, Texas...Earned a laundry list of accolades during her stint at Antonian...Was named to the 2016 TAPPS 6A All-State team, the 2016 TAPPS 6A First-Team All-District squad, the Texas All-Academic team (2015-16) and the 2016 San Antonio Express Area All-District team...Helped to propel Antonian to the 2016 TAPPS 6A State Tournament...Was placed on the Volleyball Coaches Association Under Armour Watch List...Named as an American Volleyball Coaches Association Under Armour Phenom (2013-15).
Personal: Is the daughter of Ruben and Elizabeth Vidal...Has one brother, Joshua (14)...Intends to major in Global Studies and hopes to one day work in national security...Is an accomplished student and was a member of her high school's National Honors Society...Earned high honor roll honors while being name to Texas' All-Academic team.
Brooke Westphal
5-8 | Defensive Specialist | Michigan City, IN | Junior
South Florida State College: Spent two seasons as a member of the South Florida State College volleyball team...Was twice named an All-Conference honoree (Suncoast; First-Team, 2016; Second-Team, 2015)...Was named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week midaway through her sophomore campaign...Concluded the 2016 season as the NJCAA leader in D/S (8.32)...An accomplished competitor on the court and in the classroom, twice granted South Florida State College's Athletic and Academic Excellence award while being a Phi Theta Kappa Honors Program member.
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Michigan City High School in Michigan City, Indiana...Earned a plethora of honors including All-Conference honors (three years), selection to three Indiana all-star teams and placement on two Indiana All-Region squads...Was also named her team's Offensive and Defensive MVP.
Personal: Is the daughter of Allen and Jennifer Westphal...Has one sister, Claire (15)...Intends to pursue a degree in exercise science and hopes to one day works as a strength and conditioning specialist...Enjoys exercising, shopping, boating and fishing in her free time.
Alexa Lister
6-4 | Middle Hitter | Chino Hills, Calif. | Junior
2015-16 (Louisiana Tech): Played two seasons under Adriano de Souza at Louisiana Tech University...Appeared in 87 sets while making 21 starts as a Sophomore in 2016...Led the team in blocks with 46 to her credit while finishing the season third in kills (154)...Appeared in 88 sets while making 23 starts as a Freshman in 2015...Finished the season second on the team in blocks (49) and fourth in kills (169).
High School/Juniors: Lettered in volleyball at Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, California … Named All-Sunrise League Honorable Mention as a freshman and was selected to the USA Volleyball A3 Training Program … Earned second team all-league honors as a sophomore and was selected for the SCVA Global Challenge and High Performance Team … Named second team all-league for the CIF Southern Section following her junior year at Chino Hills … Member of the PAWW Club, Operation Grace Inc., The Let It Be Club and served community service with Animal Welfare.
Personal: Daughter of Alton and Elaine Lister … Has one older brother, Alton Lister Jr. … Her father, Alton, enjoyed a 17-year career in the NBA for a variety of teams and is also a member of the Arizona State Hall of Fame, where his No. 53 jersey has since been retired.
"I am beyond excited about this new group of Sun Devils," said Tomasevic. "They are a group of high caliber athletes who excel both on the court and in the classroom. I can't wait to get them on campus and in the gym, as we jet full speed into the 2017 campaign."
The class of eight features transfers Peyton Grahovac (Long Beach State), Brooke Westphal (South Florida State College) and Alexa Lister (Louisiana Tech/daughter of 2000 Sun Devil Hall of Fame inductee Alton Lister), as well as incoming freshmen Griere Hughes, Danica Krstonošic, Shelbie Dobmeier, Megan Beedie and Mary Vidal.
The eight newcomers and their respective bios are listed below:
Peyton Grahovac
6-2 | Opposite | Orange, Calif. | Villa Park HS (Long Beach St.) | Junior
2015-16 (at Long Beach St.): In two seasons at Long Beach St. Grahovac accumulated 321 kills and 85 blocks, competing in 165 sets while making 44 starts…During her sophomore campaign, Grahovac played in 81 sets and was fifth on the team in kills with 121 to her credit…Posted 40 blocks, 36 digs and 21 assists in 2016...During her freshman season, Grahovac started in 24 matches while appearing in 84 sets…Notched 200 kills and 40 blocks, while concluding the season third on the team in hitting percentage with a .308 clip to her credit in 2015…Earned Big West All-Freshman honors courtesy of her tremendous efforts in 2015…Was a Big West All-Academic honoree in 2015 and 2016.
High School/Juniors: A native of Orange, California Grahovac graduated from Villa Park High School where she garnered a laundry list of accolades…Was a two-time All-CIF selection and two-time Century League MVP while also being named the Orange City News Athlete of the Year in 2014-15…Was also a two-time All-Orange County honoree…Played a pivotal role in leading Villa Park to its first-ever Century League title in 2013 and a second consecutive title in 2014…Led her team to the semifinals of the Division 1A CIF-Southern Section playoffs in 2014 marking the the deepest run in school history, after leading it to the second round in 2013…Led all of Orange County with 496 kills in 2014.
Personal: Comes from an athletic background as her father, Mike, played five seasons of professional baseball for the San Francisco Giants, and her mother, Najla, is a personal trainer…Has one brother, Gavin (12 years old) …Chose ASU over Auburn, SDSU, and Clemson…Interested in sports psychology and intends on majoring in kinesiology and psychology.
Grahovac on what drew her to Arizona State: "I love the athletic competition of all sports in the Pac-12, and ASU has such an amazing new coaching staff that I immediately wanted to play for. I loved the whole program, especially the girls on the team, and the city of Tempe itself was really cool. I overall felt it was the best fit for me."
We are excited to announce the addition of transfer Peyton Grahovac to our 2017 roster! ????#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/NwlkQTs3Mg
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 7, 2017
Griere Hughes
5-11 | Outside Hitter | Fishers, Indiana | Hamilton Southeastern HS | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Indiana after spending her first portion of her varsity career at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis…As a senior in high school, Hughes recorded a .232 hitting percentage with 125 kills, 34 digs, four aces and six total blocks in the 47 sets she played on the year…Led the Royals to a 27-5 record, a 5-1 conference record and as high as a No. 6 ranking in the state…Hit at a .275 clip with 292 kills, 130 digs, 34 aces and 22 total blocks while leading her team to a 28-9 record with a 7-0 conference record as a junior…Logged a .256 hitting percentage with 413 kills, 185 digs, 31 aces and 36 total blocks as a sophomore…Member of the Circle City Volleyball Club…Part of the 2016 17U Purple team…Was an OVA 18U All-Star and WCSSAA All-Star while competing for Team Ontario in 2016-17.
Personal: Is the daughter of William Arnold and Robin Hughes, and has two siblings, Grant (23) and Gabrielle (19)…She is interested in writing, film and the psychology of athletic performance and intends on majoring in creative writing, journalism and communications (film and script writing…Has written a book she hopes to publish.
Hughes on what drew her to ASU: "The trifecta! 1. Academic rigor, professors, teaching, 2. Level of volleyball play and coaching, 3. Location."
#SunDevilNation, please give a warm welcome to Griere Hughes (5-11 | OH | Fishers, IN)! ????#SigningDay #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/A9k8QESw5H
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 12, 2017
Danica Krstonošic
6-3 | Outside/Right-Side | Novi Sad, Serbia | Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Krstonošic joins Ivana Jeremic (Serbia) and Carmen Unzue (Spain) as the third international-born player on the Sun Devils' 2017 roster…Was a member of the Serbian U19 national team in 2016…She competed as a member of the Serbian-based Kluk Volleyball Club, helping propel the team to a 21-1 record and its first ever Serbian League title.
Personal: Krstonošic is the daughter of Dragan and Danijela Krstonošic…She has one sibling, a younger sister named Emilija (13) …Plans on majoring in software engineering and business entrepreneurship and hopes to one day work as a software engineer like her father…Is an accomplished individual on and off the court attending Serbia's prestigious Petnica Research Center while also competing in national math and geography competitions.
Krstonošic on what drew her to ASU: "I have always dreamed of competing at such a high level. I am beyond excited to study at a University like Arizona State."
?? Signed, Sealed, Delivered ????
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 12, 2017
Welcome to the team Danica Krstonošic (6-3 | OH | Novi Sad, Serbia)!#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/5Ooi1rV3RL
Shelbie Dobmeier
6-1 | Setter | Lakewood, Calif. | Lakewood HS | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Dobmeier is a decorated setter out of Lakewood High School…Helped propel Lakewood to a 32-6 during her senior campaign…By virtue of her exceptional play she earned a number of accolades including First-Team All-CIF honors (2014-16), 2016 Moore League MVP honors, Moore League First-Team All-League honors (2013-16), Captains Award honors in 2015 and 2016, Coaches Award honors in 2014 and Team MVP honors in 2015 and 2016… Accomplished student-athlete on and off the court and Dobmeier was named to Lakewood's honor roll in all four years she attended the high school…Dobmeier also competed at the club member as a member of Club H Volleyball.
Personal: Dobmeier is the daughter of Sadie Dobmeier and has two siblings, Teddy (9) and Tessa (7) … She enjoys riding bikes and going target shooting in her free…Dobmeier is interested in criminal law and hopes to one day work in law enforcement.
Another one! ????#SunDevilNation, meet Shelbie Dobmeier (6-1 | S | Lakewood, Calif.).#SigningDay #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/58XIUSQaAZ
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 12, 2017
Megan Beedie
6-1 | Middle | Cambridge, Ontario | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge, Ontario…Helped the Jacob Hespeler Hawks capture the school's first ever Senior WCSSAA (Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association) champions…Selected as the MVP of the WCSSAA by the Cambridge Times… Led her team past the Forest Height Trojans in the CWOSSA championship with a dominating all-around performance at the net and with her serve…Tabbed as an OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) 18U All-Star…Played her club volleyball at Pakmen Volleyball Club, the owner of 26 national championships, 58 provincial championships, and 10 international championships…A member of the prestigious 18U Pakmen Gold team…Was named the MVP of her Team Ontario volleyball club, the Guelph Grizzlies.
Personal: Beedie is the daughter of Brad and Sandy Beedie…She has one sibling, an older sister named Taylor…Plans on majoring in Sociology because of her interest in social sciences…Has a career goal of becoming a real estate agent…Her favorite athlete is Gavin Schmitt, a Canadian professional volleyball player that is a member of the Canadian National Team…Outside of the volleyball court, she enjoys skiing.
Another day, another signee! ????
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 13, 2017
We are excited to welcome Megan Beedie (6-1 | M | Cambridge, ON)!#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/q568Il2dqV
Mary Vidal
5-4 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | San Antonio, Texas | Freshman
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Antonian College Preparatory in San Antonio, Texas...Earned a laundry list of accolades during her stint at Antonian...Was named to the 2016 TAPPS 6A All-State team, the 2016 TAPPS 6A First-Team All-District squad, the Texas All-Academic team (2015-16) and the 2016 San Antonio Express Area All-District team...Helped to propel Antonian to the 2016 TAPPS 6A State Tournament...Was placed on the Volleyball Coaches Association Under Armour Watch List...Named as an American Volleyball Coaches Association Under Armour Phenom (2013-15).
Personal: Is the daughter of Ruben and Elizabeth Vidal...Has one brother, Joshua (14)...Intends to major in Global Studies and hopes to one day work in national security...Is an accomplished student and was a member of her high school's National Honors Society...Earned high honor roll honors while being name to Texas' All-Academic team.
As if this day couldn't get any better... ????
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 13, 2017
We are excited to welcome Mary Vidal (5-4 | San Antonio, TX | DS/L)!#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ipjZF2XQiG
Brooke Westphal
5-8 | Defensive Specialist | Michigan City, IN | Junior
South Florida State College: Spent two seasons as a member of the South Florida State College volleyball team...Was twice named an All-Conference honoree (Suncoast; First-Team, 2016; Second-Team, 2015)...Was named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week midaway through her sophomore campaign...Concluded the 2016 season as the NJCAA leader in D/S (8.32)...An accomplished competitor on the court and in the classroom, twice granted South Florida State College's Athletic and Academic Excellence award while being a Phi Theta Kappa Honors Program member.
High School/Juniors: Prepped at Michigan City High School in Michigan City, Indiana...Earned a plethora of honors including All-Conference honors (three years), selection to three Indiana all-star teams and placement on two Indiana All-Region squads...Was also named her team's Offensive and Defensive MVP.
Personal: Is the daughter of Allen and Jennifer Westphal...Has one sister, Claire (15)...Intends to pursue a degree in exercise science and hopes to one day works as a strength and conditioning specialist...Enjoys exercising, shopping, boating and fishing in her free time.
She led the NJCAA in D/S (8.32) in '16...and now she is a Sun Devil! ????
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 13, 2017
Welcome to the team Brooke (5-6 | Michigan City, IN | DS)!#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/VLRWm5ofRl
Alexa Lister
6-4 | Middle Hitter | Chino Hills, Calif. | Junior
2015-16 (Louisiana Tech): Played two seasons under Adriano de Souza at Louisiana Tech University...Appeared in 87 sets while making 21 starts as a Sophomore in 2016...Led the team in blocks with 46 to her credit while finishing the season third in kills (154)...Appeared in 88 sets while making 23 starts as a Freshman in 2015...Finished the season second on the team in blocks (49) and fourth in kills (169).
High School/Juniors: Lettered in volleyball at Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, California … Named All-Sunrise League Honorable Mention as a freshman and was selected to the USA Volleyball A3 Training Program … Earned second team all-league honors as a sophomore and was selected for the SCVA Global Challenge and High Performance Team … Named second team all-league for the CIF Southern Section following her junior year at Chino Hills … Member of the PAWW Club, Operation Grace Inc., The Let It Be Club and served community service with Animal Welfare.
Personal: Daughter of Alton and Elaine Lister … Has one older brother, Alton Lister Jr. … Her father, Alton, enjoyed a 17-year career in the NBA for a variety of teams and is also a member of the Arizona State Hall of Fame, where his No. 53 jersey has since been retired.
Does the last name Lister ring a ???
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) April 13, 2017
We are happy to announce Alexa Lister, daughter of ASU HOFer Alton, will join the team in '17!#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ZMEX62Yefo