GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— The Colorado Mesa University volleyball team has added four more new student-athletes to the roster for the upcoming 2023 roster, including three transfers from other NCAA Division II schools. 

The Mavericks also added an incoming freshman in Bushland, Texas standout Kaela Neie while welcoming in transfers Bethany Jones, Riley Daughtery and Emma Shaddix from Charleston (W. Va.), Newman (Kan.) and Florida Southern, respectively.

The four new additions join three previous recruits that Maverick Coach Dave Fleming had announced in early December as the Mavericks prepare for the upcoming 2023 season after a successful 22-7 2022 campaign that saw the Mavs reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship.

"We are excited about the addition of these new players to our team.  All four are outstanding volleyball student-athletes and good culture fits for our program and where we want to go," Fleming said.

I like the athleticism of this entire class of seven.  We have every position covered and some high-level student-athletes.  If we can integrate them quickly into our culture, we will have another good year with potential for a great year."

Daugherty also plans to play on the Maverick beach volleyball team.  She and Jones will have two years of indoor volleyball eligibility remaining.  Shaddix is a graduate transfer and will have just one season following a 5-year, 4-season career at Florida Southern.

Complete biographies regarding each new Maverick, along with quotes from Fleming can be found below.
 
Before CMU: Averaged more than three kills per set while earning a pair of Second Team All-MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association) honors at NCAA Division II Newman University in her hometown of Wichita, Kansas… Recorded 628 kills and 744 digs in 56 career matches with the Jets… Started all 56 while playing in 207 total sets during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

As a Sophomore (2022 @ Newman): Earned her second consecutive Second Team All-MIAA honor after leading the conference in attacks (1,397), the sixth highest total in the NCAA Division II statistics… Tallied 344 kills to lead the Jets while ranking seventh in the MIAA… Was also 15^th in the conference for digs (384)… Averaged 3.02 kills and 3.46 total points per set… Also led the team with 22 aces while recording 47 blocks, including nine solos… Started in all 30 matches and appeared in all 114 of the Jets' total sets…  Had a season-high 22 kills against William Jewell (Aug. 26)… Was in double figures for kills in 21 different matches, including each of the first 12… Earned MIAA Scholar-Athlete distinction and to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll list.

As a Freshman (2021 @ Newman): Recorded 284 kills (3.05) and 360 digs (3.87) as a freshman en-route to second team all-conference honors… Recorded back-to-back 22-kill efforts against Western New Mexico (Sept. 9) and Oklahoma Christian (Sept. 10)… Was in double figures in 12 matches… Had 23-dig efforts against Western New Mexico and Central Oklahoma (Sept. 18)… Recorded 11 double-doubles… Was ranked second in the MIAA and 19^th in Division II for attacks per set (11.40) after taking 1,060 total swings… Was tenth in the conference for kills per set and 16^th for total kills… Led the team in total digs (235), to rank 11^th in the MIAA… Started all 26 matches while playing in all 93 of the Jets' total sets… Also had 16 blocks and a dozen service aces.

Prep: 2021 graduate of Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita… Earned First Team All-GWAL honors in all four years… Was also an academic all-state honoree in all four…. Earned second team all-state honors as a sophomore and senior.

Club: Played for the Shockwave Volleyball Academy and coach Chelsea Scott.

Personal: Is majoring in business administration and aspires for a career in business or as a volleyball coach… Daughter of Rick and Julie Daugherty… Has three younger siblings— Jack, Reese and Regan… Relative Ella Larkin plays beach volleyball for LSU.

Why I Chose CMU: "The volleyball programs, location and that they have the program I am studying."

Fleming on Daugherty: "Riley is high-level six rotation outside hitter transfer.   She will make us better from day one.  She can pass, play defense, and hits a heavy ball.  She will immediately compete for playing time and it will be hard to keep her off the court."
  2022 (As a Redshirt Sophomore @ Charleston): Played in three matches for the University of Charleston (W. Va.) Golden Eagles, who went 33-5 while advancing to the Mountain East Conference Tournament final and the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Semifinal after winning the MEC South Division title with a 15-1 conference record… Recorded a kill in each… Had two blocks against Central State (Ohio).

JC: Earned All-Region V honors at Cisco Junior College in Cisco, Texas… Set the Wranglers' single-season and career records for total blocks and block solos… Had 35 solos and 101 total blocks in the fall of 2021 and 50 solos and 162 total blocks in her 2-season career… Also recorded 290 kills in 2021, the Wrangler' second highest single-season total… Had 419 in her career.

Prep: 2020 graduate of Forney High School… Played for the Jackrabbits, coached by Richard Haynes.

Personal: Is majoring in exercise science and aspires for a career in physical therapy… Enjoys all outdoor and sports related activities… Also enjoys listening to music… Daughter of Elizabeth Milligan-Herndon… Has two siblings— Darrion and Quaylin.

Why I Chose CMU: "God provided the opportunity to continue my academic and volleyball career at CMU."

Fleming on Jones: "Bethany, a transfer from University of Charleston, is athletic middle and will also add depth to the right side.  She is a great fit for the way we want to attack out of the middle.  She is fast off the floor and has a good arm swing!  For an undersized middle she is a great blocker.  Bethany will not wait to push our young group of middles for playing time."