TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn Volleyball head coach Chris Herron announced six future student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the program in 2021.

"With this year's class, we have addressed both the offensive and defensive side of the ball," said Herron. "We feel like this class provides players that can compete immediately for playing time."

Leah Bentley // DS/L // 5-5 // Hutchinson, Kan. // Buhler HS
A four-year member of the Buhler High School volleyball squad … holds the school record for the most digs in a single season … twice named to the All-League second team and was an honorable mention as a freshman … also competed in one season of cross country and track and field … is a member of the National Honors Society and has earned a place on the High Honor Roll … daughter of Bruce and Sarah Bentley … plans to major in pre-law.
 
Herron on Bentley: "Leah is truly unique. During VB season, where she plays an undersized outside hitter for her high school team, she also runs Cross Country. This year, she finished fourth at the State Meet in the morning, only to turn around that afternoon to play Sub-State in VB."
 
Austin Broadie // MH // 6-0 // Burns, Kan. // Trinity Academy
A four-year multi-sport athlete for the Trinity Academy Knights … helped the volleyball team to four season record of 114-39, two sub-state championships, and a third and fifth place at the state tournament … as a freshman, finished with a .404 attacking percentage and averaged 3.2 kills/set and had 22 blocks … in her sophomore season, had a kill percentage of .436 with 3.6 kills/set, 55 service aces, and 41 blocks … closed out her junior campaign with a .505 hitting percentage, averaging 5.3 kills/set, 4.3 digs/set, 64 assists, 42 aces, and 39 blocks … also recorded her 1,000^th career kill during her junior season … finished out her high school career averaging 5.5 kills/set for a .469 attacking percentage, 4.2 digs/set, 30 assists, 26 aces, and 21 blocks … has received a plethora of awards and honors, including being named to the All-Central Plains League first team twice and the second team once; KVA All-State first team selection and an honorable mention; and was an all-tournament selection in six different tournaments … Broadie will also play for the Washburn Basketball team after three impressive and decorated seasons as she heads into her senior season … also played one season of softball her freshman year … daughter of Barrett and Lori Broadie … has a sister, Raegan, and a brother, Colt … her mother played one season of basketball at Washburn and her father played one season of baseball at Garden City Community College … her sister also played basketball collegiately at Seward County Community College and Concordia University … major is undeclared.
 
Herron on Broadie: "Austin is a big-time athlete and will play both basketball and volleyball here at Washburn. She had well over 1000 kills and 1000 points in the two sports during high school. Austin is very long and can play multiple positions for us."
 
Brenna Duggan // OH // 6-1 // Clayton, Calif. // Clayton Valley Charter HS
Played four seasons on the Clayton Valley Charter volleyball team … was an All-League second team selection as a freshman … was named the team captain her sophomore and junior seasons … as a junior, was an All-League first team selection, the League Most Valuable Player runner-up, and received the CVCHS Coaches Award … also competed in swimming … academically, earned a place on the NSC/CIF President's List three times … daughter of Patrick and Karen Duggan … has three brothers: Patrick Jr., Carrick, and Finnian … both parents swam collegiately, as her father competed in swimming at Southern Connecticut and her mother competed at Chico State … major is undeclared.
 
Herron on Duggan: "I had the opportunity to see Breanna play at a club tournament in KC, just before Covid hit last year, and then she came to our camp during the summer. She is a big presence at the net, and we look forward to her continued development during her career."
 
Jalyn Stevenson // OH // 5-10 // Spring Hill, Kan. // Spring Hill HS
A four-year member of the Spring Hill High School volleyball team … two-time All-Frontier League first team selection … as a junior, was named to the All-State first team and was also the Tri County Volleyball Player of the Year … heading into her senior season, she was named to the Under Armor All-American watch list … earned a place on the All-Academic first team … also played three seasons of soccer for the Broncos … she is the daughter of Chris and Melissa Stevenson … has one brother, Brady, and one sister, Emery … her father played baseball and soccer at Southern Nazarene and her brother plays baseball at North Arkansas College … plans to major in business administration.
 
Herron on Stevenson: "Jalyn is a 6-rotation player who has an excellent overall skill set. Her abilities fit very well with what we try to do offensively here at Washburn. Jalyn is also an excellent soccer player."
 
Payton Van Veen // OH // 6-2 // Springfield, Mo. // Willard HS
In three years playing volleyball at Willard High School, she has helped the team to a current record of 88-12-4 … as a sophomore, knocked down 210 kills, recorded 33 blocks, 195 digs, 19 aces and finished with a .284 hitting percentage … was named all-conference and all-district … in an injury-shortened junior season, had 54 kills with a .375 hitting percentage, 21 digs, and eight blocks … named a team captain as a senior in the fall of 2020 and currently has 307 kills, 41 blocks, 113 digs, and 17 aces … was an AVCA All-Region selection … competed in track as a thrower her freshman season and advanced to districts in the discus … a member of the National Honors Society and has lettered academically every year … daughter Dan and Lori Van Veen … has one sister, Allison … both parents played basketball at Evangel …plans to major in nursing.
 
Herron on Van Veen: "Payton is an extreme power hitter, who helped lead her team the Missouri Class 4 A State Championship last weekend.   Payton will graduate early and be here for the spring semester. 
 
Emma Williams // DS // 5-6 // Leawood, Kan. // Blue Valley HS
Has competed four years in volleyball at Blue Valley High School … helped the team to a state championship title her junior season and to a second place finish at state her sophomore year … was also a member of the team for back-to-back sub-state titles … received honorable mention honors as a junior … has also competed in three seasons of track and advanced to the state championships her freshman year as a member of the 4x400 meter relay team … off the court, she has been named to the Principal's Honor Roll every year and is a member of the National French Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta … daughter of Rogers and Christina Williams … has two sisters, Sydney and Lauren … both parents were college athletes as her father played soccer at Westminster College and her mother played volleyball at William Woods … plans to major in criminal justice.
 
Herron on Williams: "Emma is an excellent athlete who swung for her high school and club teams, but will transition to the DS role at Washburn."