TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn volleyball head coach Chris Herron has announced the signing of eight freshman who will join the Ichabods from the prep ranks for the 2024 season.  

The class features eight members with four hitters, two middle blockers, one defensive specialist and one setter.  

Josie Cleveringa / 5-9 / Outside Hitter, Right Side / North Bend Central High School / North Bend, Neb.  

A four-year member of the North Bend Central High School volleyball program … led the Tigers in kills (472) and aces (69) her junior season, setting the school record for kills in a season … helped NBC to a 31-3 record and 4th place finish at state … was named All-Team All-Class C-1, an All-State second team selection and All-Conference first team … was All-Conference first team as a sophomore as well as a Lincoln Journal Star All-State honorable mention and a Omaha World Herald All-State honorable mention … was a All-Conference honorable mention as a freshman … missed her senior season due to injury … also played basketball and track where she was a state qualifier in the 4 X 400 and 4 X 100 and was a three-time state champion in basketball her first three years … also on the All A honor roll all four years … daughter of Darcy and Mark Cleveringa … mother ran track and field at South Dakota … has a sister, Courtney, and a brother, Jake … plans to major in radiology technology 

Cleveringa on Washburn: "I chose Washburn because I instantly clicked when talking with the coaches during the recruiting process. During my visit the players were so nice and welcoming while showing me around and telling me about the program. After learning more about the volleyball program I knew they had an amazing culture and a successful program I wanted to be apart of." 

Shannon Frakes / 6-0 / Setter / Spring Hill High School / Overland Park, Kan.  

Four-year member of the Spring Hill High School volleyball team … helped the Bronchos to a 4th place finish in the 5A state tournament as a senior and two state appearances in her career … earned First Team All-League honors her senior season and was a member of the 5A State All-Tournament team … was a 5A All-State honorable mention her junior year and an All-League honorable mention as a sophomore … daughter of Barbara and Paul Frakes … mother played volleyball at Kansas … has four sisters, Megan, Moira, Kate and Molly … Megan played volleyball at Northern Michigan, Moira was a rower and Kansas and Kate plays volleyball at Northwest Missouri State … plans to major in forensic science 

Frakes on Washburn: " I chose Washburn because I wanted to be a part of a competitive volleyball program with a positive team culture. Washburn also has one of the top forensic science programs in the nation." 

Emery Keebaugh / 5-10 / Outside Hitter / Ottawa High School / Ottawa, Kan.  

Played for the Ottawa High School volleyball team all four years … helped the Cyclones to a third-place finish in the 4A state championship as a freshman while earning 4A All-State first team honors and being named to the All-Tournament team … repeated as an All-State first team member her sophomore and junior seasons and was an All-Tournament team member again her sophomore season with Ottawa finishing second at state … was a first team All-League and an Ottawa Herald All-Area selection three times … recorded 527 kills and 393 digs her junior year … broke the school record in kills her senior season with a third straight year of more than 450 kills … also participated in track and volleyball all four years … won the 4A state triple jump as a freshman and set the school record … repeated as champion her sophomore and junior seasons … member of the National Honor Society from her junior year on … daughter of Alyssa and Mike Keebaugh, stepmother Erika and stepfather Brandon … has a sister, Ella and a stepbrother Landon … father played football at Butler and Baker … plans to major in early childhood education or business 

Keebaugh on Washburn: "I chose Washburn because I really appreciated how the coaching staff treated me during the recruiting process.  I wanted to play for an elite program but also attend a good university.  I am excited to play close to home so my friends and family can come watch the team." 

Abby Leaf / 6-1 / Middle Blocker / Anoka High School / Ramsey, Minn.  

Four-year member of the Anoka High School volleyball team … helped lead the Tornadoes to their first winning season in six years as a junior … won the "Top 10 Award" three times finishing in the top-10 in blocks … was an All-Conference honorable mention her sophomore and junior years … led conference in blocks her junior and senior years with 90 and 92 respectively … helped Anoka win the section 7AAAA championship with a 26-3 record her senior year and won an All-Conference award … also participated in track and was a member of the National Honors Society and a choir officer … daughter of Jamie and Kyle Leaf … father did track and field at Bethel University, mother played volleyball at Bethel … two sisters, Isabella and Violet, and a brother, Andrew … plans to major in psychology 

Leaf on Washburn: "I chose Washburn because I LOVED the campus, location, and the volleyball program!" 

Taryn Marcum / 5-5 / Defensive Specialist /Libero / Paola High School / Paola, Kan.  

A three-year member of the volleyball team at Paola High School … helped the Panthers qualify for state her junior season with a 6th place finish at state … was a First Team All-League selection at libero her junior and senior seasons … was an honorable mention her sophomore season … surpassed 1,000 career digs her senior season recording 379 on the year … also ran track for three seasons qualifying for state in the 4 X 100, long jump and triple jump … daughter of Chris and Cadi Marcum … mom played volleyball at Kansas and dad played baseball at Northwest Missouri … also has two brothers, Caden and Jace … brother Caden was drafted by the Texas Rangers and will play baseball at Mississippi State … uncle Shaun Marcum is a member of the Washburn baseball coaching staff and played nine seasons in the MLB … undecided on major 

Marcum on Washburn: "I chose Washburn because I wanted to go there ever since I started going to the Washburn camps in the 5th grade. I knew I wanted to be coached at the next level by Coach Herron. Him and Coach Conner made me feel at home on my visit and I knew it was the right decision before I even left campus." 

Ava Owens / 6-3 / Middle Blocker / Nixa High School / Nixa, Mo.  

A four-year member of the volleyball team at Nixa High School … helped the Eagles to a second place finish in the Central Ozark Conference her senior season after beginning to play varsity as a junior … blocked at .324% her senior season and hit over .450 while remaining in the top-5 in Class 5 district 6 … played club ball for Tamales going 17-1 and making it to nationals … daughter of Valerie Lemmon and Adam Rubottom … mother played volleyball at Missouri Western and Missouri Southern … also has two sisters, Tessa and Korah, and a brother, Kohen … plans to major in psychology  

Owens on Washburn: "I chose Washburn university because I loved the opportunity that the coaches gave me and the environment that the campus brings! It has always been my dream to play college volleyball and the coaches saw something in me after seeing me play.  When I went on my visit, I was greeted by the politest people ever. I felt a connection to everyone there that I met and felt so supported and knew that I would be successful at Washburn. I knew right then that Washburn was the best place for me. I can't wait for my next four years of volleyball at Washburn!" 

Keilah Rivers / 5-10 / Outside Hitter / Spring Hill High School / Olathe, Kan.  

A four-year member of the Bronchos volleyball team at Spring Hill High School … helped the Bronchos to a 4th place finish in the 5A state tournament as a senior and two state appearances overall … earned First Team All-League and All-State honors … was a second team All-League member her junior year … Spring Hill won the Frontier League all four years … daughter of Jess and Jared Rivers … is one of twelve siblings … undecided on major  

Rivers on Washburn: "I chose Washburn not only because of the competitive volleyball program, but also because the team dynamic is like a family. I know I will be pushed to be made my best every day. I also love the campus and smaller class sizes that fit my ideal learning style!" 

Brynne Topolski / 5-11 / Right Side / Lincoln East High School / Lincoln, Neb.  

Played volleyball for three years with the Spartans at Lincoln East HS … helped the school to its first state appearance since 2008 her junior season with a 24-11 record … was a Class A All-State honorable mention with 250 kills and 121 digs on the year … as a senior helped the Spartans to another state appearance with a 27-11 record … recorded 317 kills while hitting .266 and made 229 digs with 46 aces … had a career high 23 kills in the state tournament … a three year member of the highest distinction honor roll … daughter of Tricia and Thad Topolski … has one brother, Will who plays golf at Morningside University … undecided on major  

Topolski on Washburn: "I chose Washburn because I was looking for a competitive volleyball program with good culture and coaches as well as academics."