University of Connecticut Athletics
Volleyball Inks Three Early Signees for the 2018 Season
11/30/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. ââ'¬" Three newcomers have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to join the University of Connecticut women's volleyball team beginning in 2018, as announced by Head Coach Kris Grunwald on Thursday.
Kennadie Jake-Turner (Houston, Texas), Caylee Parker (Windsor, Ontario) and Klaudia Sowizral (St. Charles, Ill.) all officially committed to UConn during the early signing period this November.
"The UConn Volleyball program is extremely excited to announce the addition of three signees," said Grunwald. "All three of these young women verbally committed to UConn during their sophomore seasons so we have had time to establish a great rapport and relationship with them and their families. We are excited not only for their volleyball acumen but for the quality of people we are adding to the strong core currently in our locker room. They will bring with them high level accolades and goals, both in the athletic and academic realms."
HUSKY PLAYER PROFILES
NAME: Kennadie Jake-Turner
HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL: Houston, Texas/ St. Johns School
POSITION: Middle Blocker/ Right Side Hitter
HEIGHT: 6-0
MAJOR: Biomedical Engineering
High School: Four-year varsity volleyball player at St. Johns High School … named to the 2017 Under Armour All-America Watch List … three-time All-Southwestern Preparatory Conference selection (2015, 16 and 17) … named All-State in 2016 and 2017 … garnered 2015 USAV High Performance A2 Alternate honors … as a freshman was pegged to the 20-6A All-District Second Team … awarded Most Outstanding Latin Student and Most Outstanding Physics Student in 2016 … National Honor Society member.
Coach Grunwald on Kennadie: "KJ Turner has decided to join us from the great state of Texas. We had the opportunity to work with her in the camp environment and her personality and energy are contagious. She will bring a wealth of high level club volleyball experience with the flexibility of playing either the middle or right side positions."
All the way from Houston, Texas, a middle blocker, Kennadie Jake-Turner!! Welcome to the #UConnNation family KJ, we can't wait for the next four years! pic.twitter.com/OtUMaiNLEA
- UConn Volleyball (@UConnVB) November 30, 2017
NAME: Caylee Parker
HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL: Windsor, Ontario/ Riverside Secondary
POSITION: Outside Hitter
HEIGHT: 5-11
MAJOR: Allied Health Science
High School: Member of the 18U Junior Canadian National Team that competed in the HP Championships … served as captain of the 18U National Team in 2017, helping the team capture fourth place at the HP Championships in Fort Lauderdale … competed on the Ontario 16U squad … three-time All-City volleyball selection (2015, 16 and 17) … two time captain of the volleyball team … four-time team MVP (2014, 15, 16 and 17) … two-time silver medalist at OFSAA (All-Province) … nominated for a WESPY in volleyball … pegged to the honor roll and academic excellence all four years of high school … earned the geography award as a junior.
Coach Grunwald on Parker: "Caylee Parker joins us from north of the border. Our first opportunity to watch her play we saw a springy athlete with a lot of potential playing with a small regional club team from Ontario. She has grown into an explosive and competitive outside hitter who now has international experience while competing for the Team Canada Youth program."
Lastly, we have Caylee Parker from up north in Canada. Sorry Caylee, no Tim Horton's down here, just some Dunks, but we are extremely excited to have you join the #UConnNation family!! pic.twitter.com/NuW2O9oTFT
- UConn Volleyball (@UConnVB) November 30, 2017
NAME: Klaudia Sowizral
HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL: St. Charles, Ill./ St. Charles East High
POSITION: Ride Side Hitter/ Outside Hitter
HEIGHT: 6-3
MAJOR: Environmental Engineering
High School: Four-year varsity player at St. Charles East High … four-time academic all-conference team … three-time all-conference selection … as a senior tallied 229 kills, 45 blocks and a .341 hitting percentage … led her team to a Regional Championship as a senior … member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Grunwald on Sowizral: "Klaudia Sowizral joins the program to add to three other Huskies who hail from the Chicago area. Her size and athleticism will bring an exciting dimension to either outside hitting position. She also has experience playing middle which will add to the versatility she will bring to our offensive and defensive schemes."
We also would like to welcome Klaudia Sowizral to #UConnNation. Another Illinois native ... believe us, you'll fit right in! pic.twitter.com/iNR26E3u0B
- UConn Volleyball (@UConnVB) November 30, 2017
