GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Head coach Arunas Duda and Argo volleyball announces the 2019-2020 Argo volleyball recruiting class.
 
The 2019-2020 class will be slowly announced weekly through the spring semester. Sacha Legros joins a very diverse and versatile group of incoming Argos spanning the states of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, and the countries of Saint Lucia and Belgium. Renae Davis opened the class, followed by Tyna William, Courtney Davies, Bailey Christensen, Ashley Mitchell, Jessica Eichenlaub, Adysen Burns, Maddy Murphy, Paige Dixon, Mehki Sykes, Jensyn Turner, Elyssa Willekes, Vada Barkell, and Cassidy Thompson.
 
Sacha Legros
5'9 | OH | Verviers, Belgium (College of Southern Idaho)



Legros, a native of Verviers, Belgium, joins the Argos after spending her freshman and sophomore seasons at the College of Southern Idaho. As a freshman, she helped lead the Golden Eagles to a runner-up finish before securing the national championship title her sophomore season. During the Golden Eagles 2018 campaign, Legros tallied 281 digs, 27 serving aces, and 48 kills. Prior to her time at Southern Idaho, Legros competed in Belgium, winning three Belgium National Championships with her club team. She was ranked in the top-3 during nearly all 15 of her trips to the Belgium National Championships.

"Sacha completes our 2019 recruiting class and her commitment might be the exclamation point on an exciting recruiting class," expressed coach Duda. "She is an excellent student, great teammate, and will be a huge part of our positive culture at UP."

In the classroom, Legros was named to the Dean's list her sophomore year and held a 3.85 GPA during her two years at Southern Idaho. She will pursue a degree in business while attending the University of Providence.

"With a large group of freshmen entering the program this fall, we were still searching for another player with experience playing at a highly competitive level that could help us get back to and be successful at the national tournament," stated coach Duda. "I know we hit a home run with Sacha, bringing in a player that has been trained by an excellent coach in Jim Cartisser at CSI, possesses the versatility to play different positions at the junior college national tournament, and has experience competing on a national stage as she helped lead the Golden Eagles to a national championship and a second-place finish over her two-year career."

Cassidy Thompson
5'8 | OH/L | Gresham, Oregon (Sam Barlow High School)



Thompson, an outside hitter/Libero from Gresham, Oregon, comes to the Argos after a two-year career at Lower Columbia College. Thompson accumulated 572 kills (2.21 per set), and 676 digs (2.62 per set), while hitting .157, and securing 47 total blocks over her two-season span with the Red Devils.

"I guess that the second time is the charm. We had Cassie on campus two years ago when she was graduating high school and absolutely loved the way she plays and are thrilled that now, two years later, she has made the choice to become an Argo," expressed coach Duda. "She is a competitive player with tremendous ball control and has the ability to play multiple positions while also having the versatility to score from several positions on the court as well."

Prior to her stint with the Red Devils, Thompson attended Sam Barlow High School where she was named team MVP, First Team All-Mt. Hood Conference, and Oregon 6A All-State Honorable Mention. She was a vital part in helping lead the Bruins to a fifth-place finish at state. Thompson also played club volleyball with Excel NW Volleyball Club during her high school career.

"Cassidy comes from a phenomenal program coached by Carri Smith and we are excited that after two years of success at the junior college level, she will bring her knowledge and skills to our program and continue her education and volleyball career at UP," expressed coach Duda.

Vada Barkell
DS | 5'6 | Belgrade, Montana (Belgrade High School)



Barkell, a libero from Belgrade, Montana, comes to the Argos after her two-year career at Belgrade High School. She began her high school career in Indiana where she served as a setter before eventually moving to the Libero position. Barkell's family moved to Montana at the start of her junior year. As a Panther, Barkell was a tri-sport athlete, competing in basketball, track and field, and volleyball. She was a part of a Panther volleyball program that made a run for the state title over the past two seasons finishing up as the state runner-up both times, which included a program record 30 victories during her senior season. Away from Belgrade, Barkell also competed with the Mountain One club volleyball program who qualified and competed at nationals in Orlando, Florida. On the track, Barkell was a state qualifier in the javelin throw during her junior season and first season with the Panthers.

"I had the opportunity to work with Vada last year at the VolleyFest tournament in Billings and was so pleased with what she brought to the team that when a spot opened up on our roster, I knew exactly who to call," said coach Duda. "I'm excited to get her in the gym and begin getting her the reps that will help her to compete at this level."

In her studies, Barkell as awarded membership to the National Honor Society and was selected by the Montana Coaches Association as an Academic All-State selection for the 2018-19 basketball season.

Barkell will pursue a degree in nursing at the University of Providence.

"As a coach, it is very important to bring in players of high character and integrity to your program that are willing to do whatever it takes to make themselves and the team successful," expressed coach Duda. "We are so excited to welcome Vada to our volleyball program because we know we have just that, a kid that will work hard, have a great attitude on and off the court, and be an excellent teammate to all of her peers."

Elyssa Willekes
OH | 5'11 | Simms, Montana (Simms High School)



"We are pleased to announce the signing of Elyssa Willekes to our program for the fall of 2019," expressed head coach Arunas Duda.
 
Elyssa Willekes, a 5-11 outside hitter from Simms, Montana, joins the Argos following her career at Simms High School. Willekes was a tri-sport athlete with the Tigers, competing in basketball, track and field, and volleyball. As a senior, Willekes helped lead the Tigers to a third-place finish at state, falling just short of defeating Bridger in the state tournament for the second time to punch their ticket to the state title match for a rematch against the Belt Huskies.
 
"We first saw Lissy's athleticism at the state volleyball tournament when her team defeated a tough Manhattan Christian team in the Class C tournament," said coach Duda. "She has the tools to be successful at the collegiate level, so now comes the fun part of being able to work with her in the gym every day and help her elevate her game to become a difference maker in our conference."
 
Academically, Willekes will pursue a degree in business while attending the University of Providence.
 
"She is a very mature and hard-working kid that really impressed us on her visit this spring," stated coach Duda. "We are excited to get another local talent that will work hard and continue to elevate our program!"

Jensyn Turner
RS | 5'11 | Payson, Utah (Timpview High School)



"We are extremely excited to add Jensyn to our team this fall. We knew we needed to add another impact player for the upcoming season and Jensyn certainly fits that mold," expressed coach Duda. "She has great ball control, the ability to play multiple positions, a great court sense, and a very strong arm."
 
Turner, a junior right side from Payson, Utah, joins the Argos after her stint at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). She accumulated 149 kills, 45 digs, and 32 blocks during her two-year span with the Bruins.
 
"She had a very successful career at SLCC for two great coaches in Sue Delaney and Scott Keister who have nothing but great things to say about her," said coach Duda.
 
Prior to her time at Salt Lake Community College, Turner was a four-year letterwinner at Timpview High School. As a senior, she was named First Team All-State, All-Region, and Timpview Female Athlete of the Year in 2017.
 
While at the University of Providence, Turner will pursue a degree in nursing.
 
Coach Duda added, "Jensyn will be fun to watch this fall and we are excited about how she will fit in with our group!"

Mehki Sykes
MB/RS | 6'3 | Libby, Montana (Libby High School)



"We are so excited with the person we are getting in Mehki," expressed coach Duda. "We've been recruiting her for a while now and had her on campus in the fall, and from the minute she stepped on campus she impressed everyone she came across."
 
Sykes, a middle blocker and right-side hitter from Libby, Montana, joins the Argos following her career at Libby High School. During her senior season, Sykes played 53 sets for the Loggers as she tallied 231 total kills, averaging 4.4 kills per set and earning a hitting percentage of .401. On the defensive side of the ball, Sykes tallied 55 total blocks, 33 solo and 22 assisted during the Loggers' 2018-19 season. Sykes was named All-State and All-Conference after leading Libby to a fifth-place finish and 2018 state tournament appearance.
 
"Mehki has a big presence at the net at 6-foot-3, a great growth mindset about the sport, and will excel academically as a chemistry major," said coach Duda. "Her personality and presence will have a huge impact on our program for years to come."

Paige Dixon
RS/MB | 6'0 | Idaho Falls, Idaho (Bonneville High School)



Dixon, a 6-0 right side and middle blocker from Idaho Falls, Idaho, comes to the Argos after playing her high school career at Bonneville High School. Dixon plans to pursue a degree in nursing at the University of Providence.

"Paige's athleticism and size are two things that stood out to us immediately when recruiting her to play for the Argos. She could play in the middle or on the right side as she has the ability to get pin to pin quickly but she can also adapt to hit different sets from either spot," explained coach Duda. "Paige comes from a great high school program managed by coach McMurtrey and has experience playing club volleyball against some of the best teams in the country, so her transition to UP should be a seamless one."

Maddy Murphy
S | 5'7 | Lewiston, Idaho (Lewiston High School)
 


Maddy Murphy, a native of Lewiston, Idaho, comes to the Argos after playing her high school career at Lewiston High School. Murphy participated in the Argos' summer volleyball camp.

"We were very pleased with Maddy's performance at camp this summer and had her back on campus in the fall," said coach Duda. "During both trips, she proved to the coaches and players that she has the toughness, athleticism, and knowledge of the game to be a great setter at this level.

Murphy found a home at the University of Providence because she would not have to compromise on her academic or athletic dreams as she will pursue a degree in nursing as an Argo.

"She is a great kid from a wonderful family and we are excited about working with her in our gym every day."

Adysen Burns
OH/DS | 5'8 | Yakima, Washington (West Valley High School)

 
 

Adysen Burns, an outside hitter and defensive specialist from Yakima, Washington, comes to the Argos after a successful career as a dual-sport athlete at West Valley High School, competing in volleyball and basketball. As a Ram, Burns helped lead West Valley to a 2018 4A State Championship title, in addition to being named as a 2018 Washington All-State Second Team selection following her stellar senior campaign. Burns will pursue a degree in nursing at the University of Providence.

"We are thrilled to add an exciting player like Adysen to the mix. She is a dynamic player that will immediately add ball control, defense, and offense from the front and back rows," said coach Duda. "Adysen is the type of kid that coaches love, a tremendous athlete with a positive mindset who loves just loves to compete, and we can't wait for her to bring that attitude into our gym this fall."

Jessica Eichenlaub
L | 5'5 | Missoula, Montana (Hellgate High School)



Growing up, Eichenlaub competed in Tae Kwon Do, soccer, and basketball. Eichenlaub would eventually grow out of Tae Kwon Do and soccer into her middle school years, adding volleyball and track and field to replace them. Eichenlaub would eventually find her passion with volleyball. She competed her freshman and sophomore seasons as a junior varsity Libero before opening her junior season on junior varsity before being elevated to varsity midseason to close out the year. During the summer between her sophomore and junior year, Eichenlaub was invited to compete in the NoKaOi Volleyball Showcase in Honolulu, Hawaii. Eichenlaub continued as her high school's varsity libero through her senior season.

"Following a Providence and Montana Tech game that I had the opportunity to visit, made me excited to compete at the collegiate level," said Eichenlaub.

Complimentary to her high school career, she also competed at the club level with Zootown Volleyball Club. Off the hardwood, Eichenlaub began playing Cowboy Polo at the age of 13, competing each summer since.

"It took watching one dig to get us excited about recruiting Jessica to the Argos. She is a gritty libero that has a great first touch, good defensive skills, and a relentless work ethic that will carry her to great heights," expressed head coach Arunas Duda. "We are excited for Jessica to come in and share her contagious passion for the position with the others around her."

Ashley Mitchell
OH | 6'0 | Coulee City, Washington (Almira Coulee Hartline High School)



Mitchell, a native of Coulee City, Washington, was a State Varsity volleyball participant for three-straight years, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The outside hitter has also participated in USA Nations for club volleyball in 2017, in addition to the AAU Nationals for club volleyball the following year. Mitchell has received many accolades, including RVC Most Improved Player in club (2017, 2018), ACH High School most improved player (2017), All-Opponent Team 2017, All-Opponent MCP/League MVP (2017), Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week in November 2017, and USAV High Performance participant A3 program in 2016 and A2 program in 2017.

"Ashley is a quiet but extremely efficient player that we are excited to add to our 2019 recruiting class. We knew early that Ashley would be able to play multiple positions for the Argos and watching her success in high school and at the club level makes us even more excited about the player we are getting," expressed coach Duda. "Ashley is yet another great academic and athletic fit for the Argos."

Bailey Christensen
OH | 5'10 | Belgrade, Montana (Belgrade High School)



Christensen, a native of Belgrade, Montana, joins the Argos after a record-breaking career as a Panther. Christensen, a four-time All-State athlete, holds three school records at Belgrade, including kills in a season with 547 that she set in 2017, kills in a match with 30, and the record for total career kills.
"It is always important for us to sign Montana kids to our roster, but it's extremely exciting to get one of the best of the 2019 class," expressed coach Duda. "Bailey set numerous records at Belgrade High School, learned a lot and received great coaching from Jade Schmidt, and understands the game better than most high school kids I've seen."

Christensen's ties to Providence run deeper than just her athletic achievements, stretching into her current coaching staff as Belgrade's head coach, Jade Schmidt, was once recruited by coach Duda and has maintained a close professional relationship with him ever since.

Not only has Christensen had immense individual success, she has also helped to improve those around her and help boost her high school program to unprecedented heights as well. During her breakout freshman season, she helped the team capture its first Eastern A Divisional title, in 2017 and her final senior season she led the Belgrade Panthers to a state runner-up finish for their second-straight year.

"I am excited to get to work with Bailey on a daily basis and continue to raise her level of play at the collegiate level, where I am sure she will make an impact and set some records for the Argos as well," said coach Duda.

Courtney Davies
OH | 5'11 | Vancouver, Washington (Skyview HS/Ottawa University – Arizona)



Courtney Davies, a redshirt freshman from Vancouver, Washington, joins the Argos in spring 2019, studying Exercise Science, after spending the fall at Ottawa University – Arizona.
 
"Courtney is joining her twin sister Cameron on campus this spring as she transfers in from Ottawa University in Arizona," expressed Coach Duda.
 
At Skyview High School, Davies was a multi-sport athlete, competing in softball, track and field, and volleyball as a member of the Storm. Davies also brings the same hard work and dedication from the court into the classroom as she was named to the academic honor roll during four years of her high school career.
 
"After an injury sidelined her this past fall, she is working to get back on the court and begin her collegiate career. She will provide depth at outside hitter, giving the Argos more options at the pins."

Tyna William
MB/RS | 5'11 | Castries, Saint Lucia (St. Joseph's Convent/College of Charleston/St. Thomas Univ.)



William, a senior transfer from St. Thomas University, joined the Argo Family beginning this spring. She was a member of the Saint Lucia National Volleyball Team, helping lead the team to its first North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) appearance, in addition to being named 2012 Winward Islands Championship MVP and 2012 Saint Lucia Volleyball Association Junior Female Volleyballer of the Year. William comes to the University of Providence following playing stints at the College of Charleston and St. Thomas University. Off the hardwood, William will continue her studies as a computer science major while at the University of Providence.
 
"We are very excited to add Tyna to our program this spring. "After the national tournament, we identified that we needed to add a player that could elevate and play at a high point above the net both offensively and defensively. Tyna fills this need perfectly for us," said Coach Duda. "She can play multiple positions in the front row, will be a huge presence at the net, and looks to play a significant role on our team next season."
 
Renae Davis
S | 5'8 | Pleasant View, Utah (Weber High School/Laramie County Community College)



Davis, a junior transfer, comes to the Argos from Laramie County Community College (LCCC) and has joined the Argos beginning this spring semester. As a freshman, Davis helped her team capture the 2018 Region XI Championship title, playing in 30 matches, 71 sets, for the Golden Eagles, garnering 222 assists, 3.13 per set. During her sophomore season, she played in 25 matches and 48 sets, totaling 153 assists, with an average of 3.19 per set. In the classroom, Davis will pursue a degree in Physical Education.
 
"The minute Renae stepped in our gym and started playing with our team, we knew we had found our next setter. Her athleticism and discipline are second to none and she works extremely hard to put herself in a good position to make plays," expressed Duda. "Renae plays well above the net for a smaller setter and will help speed up our offense and put our hitters in a lot of 1-on-1 situations. Having her transfer in at semester is a huge bonus as well, allowing her to become more familiar with our system, players, and university so she can hit the ground running in the fall."