AUBURN, Ala. – Adding experience on offense with two decorated outside hitters, head volleyball coach Brent Crouch announced the addition of transfers Elizabeth Reich and Rebekah Rath for the 2021 fall season.
"Rebekah and Liz will both make an immediate impact on our team and program," Crouch said. "Rebekah is a six-rotation outside hitter with significant experience competing in one of the best conferences in volleyball and will feel right at home with how we train and compete in practice. Liz is a 4-year starter playing all front row positions during her undergraduate career and has a great attacking arm. She will also bring a high-level work ethic and an infectious energy. Like Rebekah, she has familiarity already with how we do things. Both will compete for playing time right away with Rebekah on the outside and Liz most likely as an opposite. As high character and fun people, they will fit right in."
Reich joins the Tigers after a successful career at Portland University. In her four seasons with the Pilots, Reich recorded over 800 career kills. Reich transfers to the Plains as a graduate student.
Rath spent the last two seasons at the University of Maryland. As a freshman, she played every set for the Terps and finished third on the team in scoring. She was a three-time Division 9A Florida Offensive Player of the Year at Lyman High School.
ELIZABETH REICH
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
High School: Lewis Palmer High School
Club: Colorado Juniors
Previous School: Portland
Height: 6-1
Position: Outside Hitter
HIGHLIGHTS: Competed in both indoor and beach volleyball at the University Portland … transferring as a graduate student after earning degrees in environmental ethics & policy and German … appeared in over 105 matches during her career at Portland … totaled 820 career kills and averaged 2.10 per set … added 10 career assists on offense … closed career with 225.0 total blocks and 119 digs … added 941.0 career points for the Pilots … led Portland with a career-high kills during the 2019 season … was named an All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention in 2019 … 2020 and 2019 All-WCC Academic First Team … 2019 US Bank Student-Athlete of the Month (October) … 2018 All-WCC Academic Honorable Mention … 2018 Portland Athletics Rookie of the Year … earned four varsity letters for Lewis-Palmer High School … led the team to the PPAC League and Colorado 4A State Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2016 … Max Prep National Champion in 2014 after helping the team to an undefeated 29-0 season … PPAC First Team in 2015 … Second Team Colorado Springs All-Area in 2014 and 2015 … Colorado 4A State Player of the Year … PrepVolleyball.com First Team All-American … led the PPAC league and team in solo (54) and total blocks (76) as a junior … received 2015-16 CHSAA Academic All-State First Team honors … also competed for Colorado Juniors and helped the team claim the USAVB Rocky Mountain Region Championship in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
REBEKAH RATH
Hometown: Altamonte Springs, Fla.
High School: Lyman High School
Club: Top Select
Previous School: Maryland
Height: 6-0
Position: Outside Hitter
HIGHLIGHTS: Spent the last two seasons at the University of Maryland … competed in 43 total matches … recorded 344 career kills to average 2.05 per set … recorded double-digit kills in 15 matches … strong at the service line with 31 aces in her two seasons with the Terps … added 146 career digs and 69.0 blocks … totaled 411.0 points in her two seasons at Maryland …played every set of her freshman season and finished third on the team in scoring … named to the 2019 Maryland Invite All-Tournament Team … Academic All-B1G selection … Three-time Division 9A Florida Offensive Player of the year, totaling a combined 742 kills over her freshman and sophomore seasons at Oviedo High School... First Team All-Conference in 2015, 2016 and 2017... captain for the club team Top Select, winning and being named the MVP of the NIT Triple Crown in 2017 and receiving the best club record in 2018... Club team finished second in the 17 Open Division at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championship.