The 2016 signing class for Utah State women's volleyball has yet to officially step foot on campus but is already receiving national accolades as the group was named an honorable mention top-30 class by prepvolleyball.com. The incoming Aggies include Jaysa Funk (Lone Peak HS), Madi Olsen (Lone Peak HS), Ashlee Thornock (Evanston HS) and Ashley Wesenberg (Emerald Ridge HS).
Utah State joined other Mountain West institutions on the list, including San Diego State and Nevada, and also appeared alongside in-state foe Utah. Of the 334 Division I volleyball teams in the nation, only 99 were honored by prepvolleyball.com with 30 teams ranked, 26 listed as high honorable mention and 43 earning honorable mention distinction.
Funk was honored earlier by prepvolleyball.com as a special mention All-American and was one of only eight players from the state of Utah on its varying All-American lists. Funk was a three-year varsity starter for Lone Peak and accumulated more than 1,100 assists and close to 900 digs, 500 kills and 200 blocks during her career. As a senior, Funk earned first-team all-region and second-team all-state honors.
Olsen, a teammate of Funk at Lone Peak, was the team captain for the Knights and led the team in back-to-back years in digs, totaling 356 as a senior and averaging 3.8 digs per set. Additionally, Olsen earned a pair of second-team all-region honors and was a member of the team that finished second at the Northeast Qualifier to advance to the 2016 Junior Nationals.
Thornock was named the 2015 Wyoming Volleyball Player of the Year and also earned three all-conference and two all-state accolades during her career. In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, Thornock also earned two varsity letters for basketball and earned second-team all-conference honors as a junior.
Wesenberg helped Emerald Ridge HS to a state runner-up finish last season and has helped her club team, the Puget Sound Volleyball Academy, to three straight national bids. She also holds three school records for blocks in a match, blocks in a season and blocks in a career.
“We are appreciative of prepvolleyball.com for recognizing our incoming class," head volleyball coach Grayson DuBose said. "We are looking forward to having them in the gym with us in August and helping our team be successful.”
Kyle Cottam is the assistant athletic director for Media Relations at Utah State University.