TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State volleyball has signed six to National Letters of Intent (NLI) who will join the 2019 roster, including four liberos.
"We are really excited about the class coming in," Arizona State head coach Sanja Tomasevic said. "We are excited about their personalities, their families and who they are as players. Each one of them brings something to the team we have been lacking and we are looking forward to having them on the team."
The Sun Devils will bring in six newcomers next season from different states and countries. Madison Berkholz, Kennedi Boyd, Emily Holbrook, Iman Isanovic, Annika Larson and Hattie Patton will all join ASU volleyball in 2019.
Madison Berkholz
Dripping Springs, Texas | Dripping Springs High School | Libero | 5-3
- Two-year starter at Dripping Springs High School, helping the school to a 98-2 record in the last 100 matches
- Named 2018 District Defensive Player of the Year
- Named to the 2018 Under Armour All-American Watch List
- 2017 Academic All-District
- 2017 Honorable Mention All-District
- Plays for Austin Performance Volleyball Club
- Plans to major in exploratory health and life sciences
- Parents are Leigh and Bob Berkholz
- Has one younger sibling
Tomasevic: "She is coming from one of the best volleyball states in the country. She knows how to win. Winning is a habit for her. We hope she continues that habit here."
Let's give a warm welcome to another new Sun Devil, Maddie Berkholz! ??#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/L6CMR31F7A
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 15, 2018
Kennedi Boyd
Alpine, Utah | Lone Peak High School | Middle Blocker | 6-2
- Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention
- Helped lead Lone Peak to a third-straight Utah 6A State Championship (2016-18)
- Named first team all-state twice
- Plays for Club V
- Plans to study either education or communications
- Also recruited by Utah State, South Carolina and Long Beach State
- Parents are Dave and Lori Boyd
- Youngest of three, has two older brothers
Tomasevic: "She is a physical, fun kid with a fun family. We are excited to have them as part of our Sun Devil family. As a middle, she plays well behind the setter and in front of the setter. We are excited to have that."
Fans, welcome Kennedi Boyd to the Sun Devil family! The Utah native will join the 2019 squad! ??#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ZbZhZPECKN
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 15, 2018
Emily Holbrook
Plainfield, Illinois | Joliet Catholic Academy | Libero | 5-8
- Led her team to a third-place finish in the 2018 state tournament
- Named to the all-conference team in both 2017 and 2018
- Named Player of the Week by Herald News
- Plays for Sports Performance Volleyball Club
- Member of the National Honor Society
- Also recruited by Wisconsin Green Bay, Oakland University and Grand Valley State University
- Hopes to study elementary education
- Parents are Brad and Amy Holbrook
- Has one older brother and one younger brother
Tomasevic: "Emily knows how to compete. She's not just a libero who has never played other positions because she has played outside. She knows when she is behind an outside how to give feedback and help others on the court."
Last but not least, welcome our sixth and final signee, Emily Holbrook!! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/Cw879b8Vpk
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 19, 2018
Iman Isanovic
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Gymnasium Koper | Outside Hitter | 6-1
- Led her high school to a third-place finish in 2017-18
- Her high school team finished in second in 2016-17
- Helped her team place third in U17 of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015-16
- Finished in fourth in U18 of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015-16
- Played for the Bosnian National Team
- Also played for the club Luka Koper
- Plans to major in global studies to pursue international law
- Parents are Amer Isanovic and Indira Hadzamujic
- Has one younger sibling
Tomasevic: "Iman is a foreign kid who has already been exposed to adversity early in her life. She is a good player, good hitter, good server. She is somebody that I wish we had this year, somebody who can add a really good arm in our gym and experience playing at a really high level."
Help us welcome Iman Isanovic to the Sun Devil family!#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ZTarSk8mRB
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 15, 2018
Annika Larson
Windsor, Colorado | Rocky Mountain High School | Libero | 5-4
- CHAMP (Character in Athletics Make it a Priority) Organization Fall 2018 Character Athlete Award
- Rocky Mountain Lobos Rusty Scott Memorial Award, given to an outstanding volleyball player demonstrating selflessness, commitment and positive spirit on and off the court
- Four-year varsity volleyball letterwinner, three-year co-captain
- Front Range Conference First Team, 2016-18
- 2018 Front Range Conference Player of the Year
- First Team Academic All-State, 2017-18
- Denver Post All-State Team, 2016-17
- CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) All-State Honorable Mention, 2016-17
- Holds the record for career digs in Colorado with 1,946
- Two-year varsity track letterwinner
- State track qualifier in the 300m hurdles
- Played for Norco Volleyball Club
- Qualified to USAV Girls Junior National Championships every year she played with the club
- Norco U17: Took first at North West Qualifier and third at both Crossroads and Far Western Qualifier
- Parents are Jaymie and Milan
- Her older sister Emiley played volleyball at NAU
Tomasevic: "We are really excited about her. She is graduating and coming in early to train with us in January. She wanted to be good when the season started. She played for a coach that was in college for a long time. I know the demands were high for her in practice every day, so she knows what the standard is."
We have another addition to our 2019 roster! Help us welcome Annika Larson to the #SunDevilFamily! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/v6G7HDnrfF
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 19, 2018
Hattie Patton
Gilbert, Arizona | Campo Verde High School | Libero
- Plays for Spiral Volleyball Club
- Parents are Jye and Aimee Patton
Tomasevic: "She is a Sun Devil. Her whole family, the stories they tell, they love the Sun Devils. She is somebody who has a really good serve and is a fun person to be around. She is definitely in the mix to compete for a spot in the back row. She is one of the many passers who will compete."
Our next signee will #StayTrue2AZ! Welcome to local athlete Hattie Patton! ??#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/0ZpCDd2MBl
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 15, 2018