University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Tigers Sign Five for 2022 Season
Nov 11, 2021 | Volleyball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tigers volleyball team announced the signing of five student-athletes as part of the 2022-23 class.
"This group of athletes not only possess decorated backgrounds, but also an immense amount of talent coming into the 2022 season," said head coach Sean Burdette. "We can't wait to get this class on campus this coming summer to train with the rest of the team. Their combination of athleticism and high volleyball IQ will allow them to transition quickly and play at a high level.
Ella Collier / Middle Blocker / Canton, Ga.
A middle blocker, Collier comes to Memphis following a stellar career at Denmark High School. A 2019 Second Team All-Region performer, Collier led Denmark with 132 blocks. She followed that with 94 blocks in 2020 and an Honorable Mention All-Region honor, and then earned Second Team All-Region again in 2021.
Part of the TK Volleyball Club National Team 17U and 18U, Collier was named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List in 2019 and 2020, the AVCA Best and Brightest Second Team, and the AVCA High School All-Region Team. Collier wears #40 to honor her father, the late Jason Collier, who played for five seasons in the NBA from 2000-05.
"Ella adds immediate length and a physical presence at the net to this class," said Burdette. "With her 6'6 wingspan and natural blocking instincts, she has the ability to be a major force at the net altering attackers' shots. She also has a high ceiling to develop on the offensive side."
Chelsea George / Defensive Specialist & Libero / McKinney, Texas
George joins the Tigers out of Melissa High School where she was the varsity team captain and team MVP. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, George was a four-year starting Libero. She broke her own school record for digs in a season with 619 in 2020 and currently holds the school record for all-time digs.
Named First Team All-District and Academic All District in 2018, 2019, and 2020, George has spent multiple years with the MadFrog Volleyball Club. She was named All-District Libero of the Year in 2018 and was a state semi-finalist in 2018 as well.
"Chelsea brings a wealth of high-level club experience, competing for MadFrog Volleyball Club out of the Dallas area. She is equally strong as a defender as she is a primary passer in serve receive," said Burdette. "With her graduating early and starting to train with us this Spring semester, she will be able to come in and compete for time on the floor."
Catalina Martinez / Setter / Katy, Texas
A multi-year starter for Cinco Ranch High School, Martinez comes to Memphis with plenty of club level experience. Undefeated in her sophomore season at Cinco Ranch, Martinez has twice been named a AVCA Phenom.
Martinez has played at the club level for nearly a decade with Houston Skyline where she was part of the ninth-place squad in the open 2021 season at nationals. Martinez was a part of the Houston Skyline 15 Royal team that won nationals in 2019, finished third at Lone Star Qualified, and fifth at Colorado Crossroads.
"Catalina brings athleticism and poise to the setting position, that will allow her to come into the gym and compete for playing time right away," said Burdette. "She has led her club team at Houston Skyline to a top 10 finish on multiple occasions at USAV National tournament events, showing that she possesses a winning mentality that we are eager to have."
Madison Rice-Locket / Outside Hitter & Right-Side Hitter / Louisville, Ky.
The #2 ranked player in Kentucky, Rice-Locket joins the Tigers out of Louisville Male High School where she surpassed 1,000 career kills and was a KVCA First Team All-State selection. Rice-Locket was named to the AVC Phenom list and earned the Courier Journal Sports Award. Rice-Locket has also played at the club level for KIVA.
"Madison brings versatility to the floor who has recently found a natural home on the pin. She has an innate ability to score points both as an attacker and blocker," said Burdette. "Madison brings an aggressive style of play for competing, from her KIVA upbringing, year in and year out, and we are excited to bring that style into the gym."
Kayla Wilson / Outside Hitter & Right-Side Hitter / Pearland, Texas
A three-year letterwinner, Wilson joins Memphis as a decorated high school athlete. With Ridge Point, Wilson earned 2019 All-District Honorable Mention and 2020 Second Team All-District. Wilson was the school's National Junior Honor Society President and a Prepdig Top-75 player.
Wilson has played at the club level with Houston Skyline Jr's, where she was the 2019 Houston Skyline Breakout Award winner, as well as with absolute Volleyball Academy.
"A former middle blocker, Kayla is another multi positional player that has found recent success on both pins in both high school and club," said Burdette. "Kayla will bring a dynamic attacking ability to the team, as well as a fast arm, which will allow her to push for a starting spot on the floor."
"This group of athletes not only possess decorated backgrounds, but also an immense amount of talent coming into the 2022 season," said head coach Sean Burdette. "We can't wait to get this class on campus this coming summer to train with the rest of the team. Their combination of athleticism and high volleyball IQ will allow them to transition quickly and play at a high level.
Ella Collier / Middle Blocker / Canton, Ga.
A middle blocker, Collier comes to Memphis following a stellar career at Denmark High School. A 2019 Second Team All-Region performer, Collier led Denmark with 132 blocks. She followed that with 94 blocks in 2020 and an Honorable Mention All-Region honor, and then earned Second Team All-Region again in 2021.
Part of the TK Volleyball Club National Team 17U and 18U, Collier was named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List in 2019 and 2020, the AVCA Best and Brightest Second Team, and the AVCA High School All-Region Team. Collier wears #40 to honor her father, the late Jason Collier, who played for five seasons in the NBA from 2000-05.
"Ella adds immediate length and a physical presence at the net to this class," said Burdette. "With her 6'6 wingspan and natural blocking instincts, she has the ability to be a major force at the net altering attackers' shots. She also has a high ceiling to develop on the offensive side."
Chelsea George / Defensive Specialist & Libero / McKinney, Texas
George joins the Tigers out of Melissa High School where she was the varsity team captain and team MVP. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, George was a four-year starting Libero. She broke her own school record for digs in a season with 619 in 2020 and currently holds the school record for all-time digs.
Named First Team All-District and Academic All District in 2018, 2019, and 2020, George has spent multiple years with the MadFrog Volleyball Club. She was named All-District Libero of the Year in 2018 and was a state semi-finalist in 2018 as well.
"Chelsea brings a wealth of high-level club experience, competing for MadFrog Volleyball Club out of the Dallas area. She is equally strong as a defender as she is a primary passer in serve receive," said Burdette. "With her graduating early and starting to train with us this Spring semester, she will be able to come in and compete for time on the floor."
Catalina Martinez / Setter / Katy, Texas
A multi-year starter for Cinco Ranch High School, Martinez comes to Memphis with plenty of club level experience. Undefeated in her sophomore season at Cinco Ranch, Martinez has twice been named a AVCA Phenom.
Martinez has played at the club level for nearly a decade with Houston Skyline where she was part of the ninth-place squad in the open 2021 season at nationals. Martinez was a part of the Houston Skyline 15 Royal team that won nationals in 2019, finished third at Lone Star Qualified, and fifth at Colorado Crossroads.
"Catalina brings athleticism and poise to the setting position, that will allow her to come into the gym and compete for playing time right away," said Burdette. "She has led her club team at Houston Skyline to a top 10 finish on multiple occasions at USAV National tournament events, showing that she possesses a winning mentality that we are eager to have."
Madison Rice-Locket / Outside Hitter & Right-Side Hitter / Louisville, Ky.
The #2 ranked player in Kentucky, Rice-Locket joins the Tigers out of Louisville Male High School where she surpassed 1,000 career kills and was a KVCA First Team All-State selection. Rice-Locket was named to the AVC Phenom list and earned the Courier Journal Sports Award. Rice-Locket has also played at the club level for KIVA.
"Madison brings versatility to the floor who has recently found a natural home on the pin. She has an innate ability to score points both as an attacker and blocker," said Burdette. "Madison brings an aggressive style of play for competing, from her KIVA upbringing, year in and year out, and we are excited to bring that style into the gym."
Kayla Wilson / Outside Hitter & Right-Side Hitter / Pearland, Texas
A three-year letterwinner, Wilson joins Memphis as a decorated high school athlete. With Ridge Point, Wilson earned 2019 All-District Honorable Mention and 2020 Second Team All-District. Wilson was the school's National Junior Honor Society President and a Prepdig Top-75 player.
Wilson has played at the club level with Houston Skyline Jr's, where she was the 2019 Houston Skyline Breakout Award winner, as well as with absolute Volleyball Academy.
"A former middle blocker, Kayla is another multi positional player that has found recent success on both pins in both high school and club," said Burdette. "Kayla will bring a dynamic attacking ability to the team, as well as a fast arm, which will allow her to push for a starting spot on the floor."
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