2012-13 Volleyball Recruiting Class Ranked No. 6

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch landed the highest ranking recruiting class in program history as the 2012-13 Cyclone freshman class was announced as PrepVolleyball.com's No. 6 recruiting class in the country. It is the fifth-straight year Johnson-Lynch has netted a top-25 recruiting class.

“The Cyclones could field a pretty imposing team with their 2012 freshman class alone,” Prepvolleyball.com's scouting on the Cyclones reads.

Johnson-Lynch's largest class, the incoming class consists of: Mackenzie Bigbee, 6-1 RS, Williamsburg (IA); Jenelle Hudson, 5-9 S, Bonita Vista (Chula Vista, California); Morgan Kuhrt, 6-0 OH, Waverly-Shell Rock (Waverly, Iowa); Andie Malloy, 6-2 S/RS, Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas); Caitlin Nolan, 5-6 Libero, Carroll (Southlake, Texas); Bria Rasmussen, 5-9 Libero, Grand Island (Nebraska) and Natalie Vondrak, 6-1 MB, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City, Iowa).

Bigbee won the 2011 USA Volleyball 18U Junior National Championship as a member of the Six Pack club team, along with incoming Cyclone Kuhrt. Bigbee was named the USAV 18U National Junior Olympic MVP for her part in the Six Pack's championship run, which included scoring the championship-winning kill.

Hudson posted 21 assists, 14 kills, 22 digs, a solo block and four block assists in Bonita Vista's 3-1 loss to St. Lucy's in the CIF Girls State Volleyball Tournament last season. The Barons finished the season 29-7 overall and a perfect 10-0 in the Mesa League.

Kuhrt won four conference championships and two state titles, in 2009 and 2011, with the Waverly-Shell Rock Go-Hawks and averaged more than 4.00 kills per set as a senior. The outside hitter had a tournament-high 31 kills in leading Waverly-Shell Rock to the 3A Iowa State Championship, defeating fellow 2012 recruit Vondrak and the Bishop Heelan Crusaders in four sets. Kuhrt also won a national championship in 2011 with Bigbee and the Six Pack Club team.

Malloy led Lovejoy High School to its fourth-straight state title in 2011 and was named the state all-tournament MVP after posting 24 kills, including the championship point, 21 assists and 15 digs in the championship match. For the year, Malloy averaged 4.20 kills per set, 4.70 digs per set and 6.10 assists per set for the Leopards and was named an Under Armour First Team All-American.

Nolan and the Texas Advantage club team finished second at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior National Championship in the 17s division last season where Nolan earned all-American honors. Nolan is a two-time Libero of the Year at Southlake Carroll High School, helping lead the Lady Dragons to three-consecutive all-district championships.

Rasmussen posted 5.71 digs per set last season at Grand Island High School in her hometown of Grand Island, Neb. Rasmussen and the Islanders were district champions for the second-straight year in 2011 and were conference tournament finalists a year after winning the conference title in 2010. After helping Grand Island to a 29-5 record and a trip to the state tournament, Rasmussen was named an all-state honorable mention by the Lincoln Journal Star.

Vondrak had a career year at Heelan, averaging 4.22 kills per set and 3.54 digs per set and recording 24 kills in the Crusaders' loss to Waverly-Shell Rock in the state championship match. Vondrak is a two-time all-state selection and averaged a career-best 0.94 blocks per set as a sophomore in 2009.

Prepvolleyball.com on the future Cyclones:

The Cyclones could field a pretty imposing team with their 2012 freshman class alone. It will certainly be their biggest and best class since coach Christy Johnson-Lynch's arrival in Ames. Four of the seven newcomers were ranked among the top 44 seniors in PrepVolleyball.com's Senior Aces. Malloy, the nation's No. 35 recruit, is a special talent who can set, hit, ball handle and win at a very high level. She has international experience with the USA Youth National Team. Bigbee, a lefty rated No. 36 in the Senior Aces, is one of the most powerful attackers in the class and was the 18 National MVP last year. She should help shore up the Cyclones' right side offense. Bigbee's club teammate, Kuhrt, is a physical, six-rotation outside hitter with the athletic ability and arm to become a terminator in the Big 12. Vondrak, who has a tremendous volleyball I.Q., will beat you with her shots and her smarts and is extremely versatile. Nolan, No. 40 in the Senior Aces, is one of the best true passers in her class. She'll wow you with her ball handling skills, but still make it look easy. Rasmussen will add depth to the defensive position for the Cyclones, brining quick reactions and steady play to the court. Hudson was a late but very lucky get for Iowa State. No. 44 in the Senior Aces, she is one of the most athletic and competitive setters in her class.

Players Mentioned

Mackenzie Bigbee

Jenelle Hudson

Morgan Kuhrt

Andie Malloy

Caitlin Nolan

Bria Rasmussen

Natalie Vondrak

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics