SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford head volleyball coach
Lynze Roos announced the signing of four to Wofford's 2022 signing class on Tuesday afternoon, as the Terriers welcome Victoria Hensley, Annemarie Rakoski, Carson Eubanks and Jessica Freire to the Wofford volleyball program.
"We are excited about the Class of '22 not only because of their amazing athleticism, but they are also such quality people – we feel like we are adding to our program in so many ways," said
Lynze Roos of the four signees. "Although this recruiting process was unique due to COVID-19, these young women have shown they will be able to compete at the championship level we are seeking, while also challenging themselves academically at Wofford."
Victoria Hensley, a 5-foot-10 setter from Clearwater, Fla., joins the Terriers upon securing back-to-back 3A District 14 Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2020, while leading Clearwater Central Catholic to district runner-up and district champion finishes her senior and junior year, respectively. Hensley has eclipsed 3,000 assists for her career, having played in the Florida All-Star game and being named the FACA All-Star MVP for Pinellas County, while also being named to the AVCA All-American All-Region and AVCA Best & Brightest Award First Team in 2021. Hensley has played every point through 290 sets through her four years at Clearwater Central Catholic, holding 3,006 assists, 872 digs, 353 kills on a career .394 hitting, in addition to 174 aces and 184 total blocks. Ranked No. 5 in the state of Florida for the 2022 class, Hensley won an AAU National Championship with OTVA 17 Jason, being named the MVP of the AAU Nationals 17 Open for the 2021 club season, after being named Pinellas County Player of the Year in 2020 - having led Florida with 12.2 assists/s on 756 total for the season - and notching First Team All-State accolades in 2020 and 2019. Academically, Hensley's involved as a member of a plethora of clubs, including the National English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society and National History Honor Society to name a few.
"Vic was on our radar because of her leadership and court presence. She is a true gym rat – growing up in a family committed to volleyball. She is a student of the game, and she loves to have a positive impact on the floor," added Roos of Hensley. "I am looking forward to seeing her energy in the gym and how that can elevate our program. Her ability to create plays and find ways to score are exciting to watch. She has shown that she can battle her team into championship situations and has made big plays against some of the toughest competition in the country."
Annemarie Rakoski, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Atlanta, Ga., comes to the program upon helping St. Pius High School amass a 52-1 record for her career, including a pair of region and state championships, under coach John Fredric. Having won a pair of titles while also notching a state runner-up finish at St. Pius, Rakoski holds 944 kills on a career .346 hitting, 340 blocks and 72 aces while being named to the 5A All-Star team for her performances. Academically, Rakoski has been named to the President's List at St. Pius High School, in addition to volunteering within the community through means such as packaging and distributing food for the hungry.
"Annemarie will continue to help us build our presence at the net with her superb blocking instincts. She is dynamic as a middle, and her size will challenge our opponents. She is quick in transition, and we love that she has competed at a very high level in her high school and at the club level," added Roos. "She is the player that you want on your side when the match is close. She plays with great poise and focus."
Carson Eubanks, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter from Lexington, S.C., joins the Terriers upon starring as a four-year letterman and three-year starter at River Bluff High School, in which she's helped lead River Bluff to a trio of regional titles throughout her career, including a state runner-up finish in 2021. Eubanks helped lead River Bluff to a lower state title with a 7-1 record in 2021, while also featuring in the Region 5A All-Star game and being named tournament MVP at the Nation Ford Invitational, as she was named team MVP and All-State, along with receiving ACVCA All-Region Team (Region 3) honors. Eubanks is second in all-time kills at River Bluff, having tallied 1,029 points in three years, while also ranking fourth in school history in digs. Academically, Eubanks is an honor roll student as a member of the National Honors Society and Beta Club at River Bluff.
"Carson is a player who can add depth for us in an array of places on the floor. She is a hard-working defender, and she possesses strong ball control. On the flip side, she has an impressive jump and strong arm swing that can help us score. I think she will develop fast in our program, and we love her on court attitude."
Jessica Freire, a 5-foot-4 libero / defensive specialist from Hoschton, Ga., comes to the Terriers upon helping lead Mill Creek to regional runner-up and third-place finishes her junior and senior year, respectively, while tallying 29 aces, 130 digs and 14 assists in 52 sets played in 2021. Her junior year in 2020, Freire was named to the AVCA Phenom List, All-Region Team (Region 8-7A), All-County Second Team and was a Georgia Positive Athlete nominee upon recording 132 digs, 43 aces and even tallying 311 assists as setter with a 14.3 assist/s mark. Academically, Freire is a two-time Academic Excellence Award recipient, as she's also involved with the National Honors Society, Student Council and Senior Cabinet at Mill Creek High School.
"Jessica will bring us some grit in the back court. She is quick and determined, and she makes noticeable contributions in her rotations. She has a strong serve that will give teams problems, and she also will bring some impressive speed to the defense," added Roos. "We like her willingness to play multiple positions, and she has also competed at a very high level in her club season. We think that experience will provide some great competition in the gym."
