JONESBORO, Ark. (4/22/24) – Arkansas State head volleyball coach announced the addition of five players ahead of the 2024 season, his third at the helm of the program.
Transfers Daedrianna Cail (Little Rock), Grace Wiley (Houston) and Devyn Lewis (Odessa College) accompany high-school signees Addison Collum (Buena Park, Calif.) and Taylor Motes (Bixby, Okla.).
Daedrianna Cail | MB | Marion, Ark. | Marion HS | Little Rock
Daedrianna Cail joins the Red Wolves after two All-OVC seasons at Little Rock, earning second-team honors as a freshman before notching a spot on the first team in 2023. The versatile middle blocker/outside hitter racked up 467 kills across her first two seasons with the Trojans, including a team-high 256 last season. The Marion, Ark., native also boasts 72 service aces and 239 career blocks, averaging 1.07 blocks per set.
Last season, Cail ranked second in the OVC in aces per set (0.41) and blocks per set (1.10), while ranking third in total aces (45) and total blocks (121) en route to her First Team All-OVC bid.
Gerwig: "We are so lucky to be adding Daedrianna Cail to our 2024 roster. As only a current sophomore; her physicality, aggressive mindset and competitive nature has already changed our gym. Dae was one of the top volleyball athletes to come out of Northeast Arkansas two years ago. She immediately connected with our squad and I feel like she should have always been part of the Red Wolves Volleyball Family."
Addison Collum | RS | Buena Park, Calif. | John F. Kennedy HS | Seal Beach VC
Addison Collum joins the Red Wolves after a standout career at John F. Kennedy High School, where she ended her tenure as a Division 4 All-CIF Southern Section performer.
Gerwig: "What stuck out to my staff the most during the recruitment of Addison was her ability to consistently score no matter the situation, number of blockers or the location of the set. With her blue-collar work ethic, the sky is truly the limit for Addison and we are excited to watch her develop in the Red Wolves volleyball gym."
Devyn Lewis | OH | Alvin, Texas | Manvel HS | Odessa College
Devyn Lewis comes to Jonesboro after one season at Odessa College, where she helped the Wranglers finish eighth in the NJCAA Division I rankings. Lewis – who was named the WJCAC Newcomer of the Year – racked up 465 kills (3.60/set) as a freshman, hitting at a .255 clip to go along with 33 service aces. Defensively, Lewis corralled 336 digs (2.60/set) – third most on the team – and knocked down 27 total blocks.
Her 465 kills tied for ninth most in NJCAA Division I, while she also ranked among the top 20 nationally in kills per set (19th), total attacks (1,244) and points (16th – 514.0). In her lone season at Odessa, the Wranglers finished 28-6 and advanced to the national tournament for the first time since 2019.
Gerwig: "I am beyond excited to add Devyn Lewis to the Red Wolves Volleyball Family! After a phenomenal freshman season at Odessa Community College, we believe that her competitive will to win, physicality, and work ethic will make an immediate impact in the Sun Belt Conference."
Taylor Motes | OH/RS | Bixby, Okla. | Victory Christian School | Oklahoma Blaze
Prep standout Taylor Motes joins A-State after earning honorable mention All-World distinction by the Tulsa World. As a junior, Motes was a finalist for the All-World Player of the Year. She also helped her team to a state title in 2021
Gerwig: "Our staff has continued to be impressed by Taylor's elite physicality. Taylor has been a middle blocker for most of her club career and recently developed into a pin attacker. Taylor can block and score in any front-row position so we are very excited to get her into the gym!"
Grace Wiley | OH | The Woodlands, Texas | Fort Bend Christian Homeschool Athletics | Houston
Grace Wiley is set to join A-State after spending the last three seasons at Houston, where she saw time in 23 matches for the nationally-ranked Cougars. In high school, the 6-2 pin hitter led her teams to national championships in 2018 and 2020, the latter season being named the Home School Volleyball National Player of the Year.
Gerwig: "I am so excited to welcome Grace Wiley to Arkansas State! I first recruited Grace to the University of Houston and I could not be more thrilled to add her size and Power-5 playing experience to our roster. Grace has made an immediate impact this spring in our gym and I am very excited to build into the 2024 season."
SOCIAL MEDIA
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