The Eastern Michigan University women’s volleyball program welcomed seven newcomers to the Eagles roster for the 2022 season. As of June 25, four freshmen and three transfer students have officially joined the team.
Freshman Jess Wilson is a 5’11” outside hitter from Kirkland, Ohio. Wilson attended Lake Catholic High School and assisted her team in finishing 22-6 her senior year and reached 500 kills. She was named an all-district first team and second team all-ohio honoree, team MVP, Crown Conference first team, News Herald first team, and Crown Conference 2021 champion. Wilson also played for Eastside Volleyball and the AVC, where she and her teammates finished 13th in the country in 2022.
Freshman Carlina Bender is a 5’5” defensive specialist from Hudsonville, MI. Bender attended Hudsonville High School where she led the team to a 52-3 record her senior year with 765 digs and 78 service aces. She was named Michigan All-State first team, all-region, all-conference, and academic all-state teams. Bender was also OK Red Conference Champion, district champion, and regional champion.
Freshman Emma McMahon is another 5’5” Defensive Specialist from Monroeville, IN. McMahon graduated from Bellmont High school. McMahon’s senior season consisted of a 25-11 record, 412 digs, 47 assists, and 64 service aces. She received 2020 North All-Star, 2021-22 Academic All-State, 2021 3A First Team All-State, 2021-22 All District, 2021-22 First Team All-Conference, 2020-21 All-District, 2020-21 First Team All-Conference, and two-time 3A State runner up.
Freshman Sabrina Gremm is a 5’11” outside hitter from North Royalton, OH. Gremm went to Gilmour Academy where she was a two-time state champion in 2020 and 2021. Gremm finished her senior year with a 25-3 record and 292 kills. She was named Second Team All-District, and Second Team All-News Herald.
Grad student Callie Minshew is a 5’11” outside hitter from Brandon, MS who played for Mississippi State University. She collected 268 digs her freshman year, which is more than any freshman in the SEC in 2019. She also had 255 kills. In 2020, Minshew led MSU in service aces (20) and ranked sixth in the SEC. She was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll. Minshew appeared in 55 sets and completed 61 kills, 10 aces, 65 digs, and seven blocks in 2021.
Sophomore Mekayla Koger is a 5’8” middle blocker from Mansfield, TX who transferred from Sam Houston State University. She played in five matches and eight total sets as a freshman with the Bearkats. Koger attended Lake Ridge High School where she had 166 kills, 50 solo blocks, and 19 service aces senior year. She received 2019 All-Area Most Improved Player of the Year, 2019 Offensive Player of the Year, 2019 First Team All-District, three-time Academic All-District selection, and No. 13 in USAV Nationals.
Sophomore Emily Surin is a 5’11'' outside hitter who transferred from Lamar University where she earned 90 kills. Surin attended Joliet Catholic Academy where she finished senior season with an 11-8 record, 37 blocks, 17 total service aces, and 82 kills. Surin appeared in two semifinal games and one championship. She earned East Suburban Catholic Conference All-Conference and Scholar Athlete in 2021, 2019 AAU Premier National Champion and 2021 Club National Champion.
