Just as every season ends in college athletics, a new one begins with the offseason. For Baker University head volleyball coach Kathy Allen, this offseason was an important one following the departure of eight players.
Allen hit the recruiting trail this winter after coming off of one of the program’s best seasons in school history. After going 26-11 and a perfect 9-0 in conference, Allen secured 12 new players, all hailing from Kansas.
The dozen players come from all over the state. Six of the players are fresh from their high school campaign, while one comes in from Fort Hays State University. Allen also inked three players from Johnson County Community College, who all played for the Cavaliers in their national championship appearance in 2010.
“I feel like this is the best recruiting class I’ve ever brought in,” Allen said.
Along with the new recruits, BU picked up some faces familiar from other sports. Freshman track athlete Shelby Equels and sophomore softball player Tara Chumley joined the squad. Equels is expected to help out mainly on the defensive side, while Chumley will play as a middle hitter.