Kats sign five more for 2022

HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston volleyball coach Brenda Gray announced the addition of five more pieces to the 2022 roster on Friday.

The Bearkats previously announced the addition of outside hitter Lexi Thomas, and today officially welcomed middle blockers Madison Frusha and Madison Dyer, setter Avery Fowler, libero Ava Terry and outside hitter Hailey Heider.

"I say it every year: We do not replace players, we replace positions. We do not rebuild, we reload. And I believe our staff has done this with our 2022 class," Gray said. "Our returners are laying the foundation now and our new additions will add to our depth and our quest to repeat as WAC champions. Our standards are high, and we believe we have all our pieces."

Madison Frusha • MB • 6-0 • Huntsville, Texas / Huntsville HS / Tyler JC / Seton Hall
Frusha is a Huntsville native who returns home after two seasons at Seton Hall, which followed a 2-year stint at Tyler JC.

With the Pirates, Frusha was named to the Big East all-Academic team and paced Seton Hall with 1.05 blocks per set in 2020, then upped that number to 1.11 blocks per set in 2021 where she played in 32 matches. Additionally, she averaged 1.41 kills per set and swung at a .261 clip in 2021 in helping the Pirates to 14 wins.

Prior to SHU, she played in 61 matches over two seasons at TJC, including helping the Apaches to a 29-8 record in 2018 when she ranked second on the team with 105 total blocks and 1.08 blocks per set. That came after her time at Huntsville HS where she lettered for three seasons for the Hornets, finishing her prep career with 157 blocks and 406 kills while twice earning all-district honors.

Gray on Frusha: "Madison has a huge opportunity to come into our program and make an immediate impact. Her size and speed will add depth to our middle position. It is always nice when you can get a Huntsville kid to return home and cap of their career. We expect her to come in and find success right away."

Avery Fowler • S • 5-8 • Spring, Texas / Oak Ridge HS
Fowler will be looking to join a long line of successful Bearkat setters when she joins the squad this fall. The District 15-6A Setter of the Year at Oak Ridge HS, she earned both preseason and postseason honors from the GHVCA and was named academic all-state by the TGCA.

She also earned all-Montgomery County first team honors as a senior and was named to the AVCA phenom and all-American watch lists. All honors which came after a junior campaign that saw her named to the all-district first team and all-Montgomery County second team.

Gray on Fowler: "Avery is the complete package; she runs a smooth floor, defensively she is gritty, consistent server and she is poised competitor. We cannot wait for her to step foot on our floor."

Ava Terry • L • 5-6 • Spring, Texas / Grand Oaks HS
Terry has put together a stellar resume during her prep career at Grand Oaks HS and at TAV Houston on the club scene. A 3-time academic all-district choice, she was also named to the all-district first team and AVCA all-America watch list as a senior.

Her 2020 season included being named to the VYPE Houston DS/Libero honorable mention list and to the all-district second team, which came after a breakout 2019 season. That year, in addition to being named to the USA Volleyball High Performance A2 Youth squad, she earned Class 5A all-Texas honors from the TAVC, all-District 20-5A honors and a nod to the AVCA Phenom watch list.

Gray on Terry: "Ava is a consistent player; physically, mentally, and emotionally. She has great ball control, and she will look to compete for a spot right away."

Madison Dyer • MB • 5-10 • Flower Mound, Texas / Marcus HS
Dyer comes to the Bearkats from Flower Mound Marcus HS where she led District 6-6A in service aces and was named to the all-district first team in 2021. She was named the team's defensive player of the year and her efforts helped lead the Marauders to a district co-title and to the Class 6A regional tournament.

She played her club ball at Madfrog where she was part of the 10-foot Jumpers Club and was also a captain of the MHS track team. Dyer also earned honorable mention all-district honors in 2020 in leading her team to the state playoffs.

Dyer also comes from an athletic family, one which includes her cousin, Frank Fryer, who played on the Bearkat defensive line in 1984 and 1985.

Gray on Dyer: "Madison is a beam of light. She has the natural ability to take over a match at the net and once she learns our system, she will find great success here."

Hailey Heider • OH • 5-11 • Albany, Ore. / West Albany HS
The Kats went out west to snag Heider, a possible impact outside hitter who shined at West Albany HS and for North Pacific Juniors on the club scene.

A 5-11 hitter, Heider was named her league and conference player of the year in 2021 while leading her prep team to the 2021 Class 5A Oregon state title. There she was named the MVP of the title game and went on to be named a to the all-state first team.

Gray on Heider: "Hailey is a complete six rotation player, that plays with a ton of confidence. She can score from multiple zones of the net, and she is a proven winner at ever level. She will have an opportunity to make a huge impact for us right away."

Kats sign five more for 2022

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