CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel head women's volleyball coach Dave Zelenock announced the signing of Sam Barnes, Ainsley Dowling, Jamie Holton and Lydia Larson.
 
Sam Barnes, MB, 6-1, Colorado Springs, Colorado (Pine Creek)
Plays for head coach Molly Stowers at Pine Creek High School…recorded 221 kills and 98 blocks in helping the Eagles to a 16-9 record as a senior…ranked 11^th in the state in blocks…selected as the player of the game three times…earned second-team all-conference honors as a junior…finished the shortened season with 67 kills and 32 blocks…named first-team academic all-state…member of the National Honor Society and the Principal's Honor Roll…also competes for Colorado Juniors Volleyball 18 Open team.
 
"Sam is super physical at all three front row positions," said Zelenock. "She has a big-time arm and can hit all across the net. Right away, she is going to be able to compete in multiple positions just by sheer will power. She is a kid who reminds us a lot of Maddy Cardenas."
 
Ainsley Dowling, L, 5-8, Hampshire, Illinois (Hampshire)
Plays for head coach William Bnenhaley at Hampshire High School…three-year letterwinner for the Whip-Purs…played libero as a senior after playing outside hitter the previous two years…father, Brendan, played football and lacrosse at Northwestern…brother, Roan, is a member of the Iowa Marching Band…also plays for Sports Performance Volleyball Club.
 
"Ainsley is a really well-trained libero out of what is considered the best training club in the country," said Zelenock. "She has great size for the position and uses that to take up a lot of the court, both on defense and serve receive."
 
Jamie Holton, OH, 6-1, Nags Head, North Carolina (Manteo)
Plays for head coach Heather Suklowski at Manteo High School…selected as the offensive player of the year after finishing with 262 kills, 140 digs, 53 service aces, 35 assists and 15 total blocks…tabbed first-team all-region…AVCA All-Region selection…second team AVCA Best and Brightest…garnered all-conference accolades as a sophomore and junior…member of the National Honor Society…academic all-conference…also plays for Beach Elite Volleyball.
 
"Jamie is really long and athletic, and we think will turn into a six rotation pin for us," said Zelenock. "She got overlooked by a lot of big programs because of COVID, but I think she is going to turn a lot of heads this club season. Her attack height and block is something we haven't had here before, so that will be something different for people to see."
 
Lydia Larson, 5-9, S, Spicer, Minnesota (Willmar)
Plays for head coach Leah Ruter at Willmar High School…earned all-conference and all-area honors after helping the Cardinals to a 22-8 record…finished season with 926 assists, 149 digs, 25 kills and 23 service aces…led the state in assists per set at 10.2…garnered all-conference and all-area laurels after leading the state with 11.1 assists per set as a junior…ranked second in the state in assists per set as a freshman…named AVCA Phenom Top 25 for the state of Minnesota as a freshman…also lettered in track and field, earning all-conference honors as a member of the 4x800m relay…member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll…student council treasurer…father, Kyle, played basketball and UMN Crookston…mother, Nancy, ran cross country and track and SMSU…brother, Taka, played football at SMSU…also plays for Kandi Elite Volleyball Club.
 
"Lydia is a fierce competitor who found us," said Zelenock. "She is out of our cycle for setting, but pushed for us to watch her film. Once we did, we loved what we saw. She is super athletic, has very quick feet and clean hands, which is what you want in a setter. On top of that, she leads her team by example and with her voice."
 
For more information and score updates on The Citadel volleyball team, please visit CitadelSports.com or follow @CitadelVB on Twitter and @CitadelVolleyball on Instagram.
 
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