Lael McKee Student Manager | Western Illinois University Leathernecks Website
Lael McKee Student Manager | Western Illinois University Leathernecks Website
Western Illinois University's volleyball team is set to welcome two new players in 2024. Head Coach Dale Starr announced the signing of Melaina Hawblitzel and Cheyenne Luper on National Signing Day.
Melaina Hawblitzel, a 5'10" outside hitter from Warsaw, Indiana, has had a notable high school career. As a varsity captain at Warsaw High School, she received All-Conference honors from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, she was recognized by the AVCA Girls High School All-Region and Best and Brightest teams. Additionally, she participated in tryouts with the North All-Stars in both 2022 and 2023. Academically, Hawblitzel maintained a GPA of 4.24 in 2023 and was included on the Summa Cum Laude Honor Roll as well as being part of the National Honor Society.
Cheyenne Luper, standing at 5'11", will join Western Illinois from Dallas, Texas. She played as a right-side/middle blocker throughout her high school years and contributed to her team's first-place finish at the Northeast Qualifier Tournament. Luper was named to the MaxPreps Shooting Stars list in 2022 and helped lead her team to become state championship runners-up. During her sophomore and junior years combined, she recorded impressive statistics with 130 kills, 65 blocks, and 32 digs.
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