May 18, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. ââ'¬"The 2018 Auburn volleyball signing class is ranked the seventh-best incoming group in the nation.
The 2018 class garnered the highest ranking in program history, featuring three Top 35 Senior Aces and two Gatorade Players of the Year. Auburn's incoming freshmen are also ranked the second-highest among Southeastern Conference opponents.
"We are really excited for the qualities this group will add to our program both on and off the court," head coach Rick Nold said. "The fact that we were able to secure one of the best classes in the country shows the direction this program is headed."
The six freshmen joining the official Auburn roster will be Mica Allison (6-1, S, White Heath, Ill.), Val Green (6-2, OH, Oxford, Ohio), Katie Persons (5-3, DS, Grand Rapids, Mich.), Bella Rosenthall (5-5, DS, Yorktown, Ind.), Taylor Rowland (6-3, OH, Charlotte, N.C.) and Tatum Shipes (6-4, OH, Buford, Ga.).
Allison, ranked the No. 7 Senior Ace and the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year, was a member of the 2017 USA Volleyball National Youth Team. In addition, she earned 2017 AVCA Under Armour All-America third team recognition.
Rowland and Shipes will bring big height on the outside for Auburn. Rowland is the No. 30 Senior Ace and a two-time North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year. Shipes is ranked No. 34 on the Senior Ace list and the 2017 8-AAAAA Region Player of the Year in Georgia. The pair picked up AVCA Under Armour All-America second team honors this year.
Green, a Top 250 Senior Ace, is a three-time Southwest Ohio Conference Athlete of the Year. Rosenthall is another Top 250 Senior Ace with both state and national recognition, while Persons will add depth in the back row following a successful senior season for East Grand Rapids High School.
Allison and Rowland have been on campus since January as early enrollees.
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