Washington Signs A Stellar Class Of Four
UW Athletic Communications
11/11/2020
SEATTLE – As Husky Volleyball continues to safely practice and wait for its next chance to compete, National Signing Day arrived with even more anticipation, as a look towards future possibilities is especially appreciated. Head Coach Keegan Cook announced an impressive mix of West Coast talent today, with four new Dawgs making up the Class of 2021.
Joining the Washington family today are libero Lauren Bays, outside hitters Emoni Bush and Audra Wilmes, and setter Molly Wilson. Two of the four come from SoCal, with Bays calling Orange County home and Wilson hailing from Murrieta. Wilmes comes to Seattle from West Linn, Ore. while Bush is a native of Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada.
One thread that ties the class together is how well-coached all four have been, according to Coach Cook.
“They come from different parts of the West Coast but share the fact that they’ve played for tremendous coaches at very high levels,” says Cook.
“All four players had a passion for Washington that stood out amongst their peers. In some ways it felt like they recruited themselves to Washington, which you love to see. They have a mix of potential plus an ability to contribute right away that is exciting in a class. I wish they could step into our gym tomorrow because I can’t wait to work with them.”
Lauren Bays
5’8” – Libero – Orange County, Calif. – Tstreet
One of the top liberos in the nation, Lauren Bays was ranked fifth nationally at the position by PrepVolleyball.com and ranked 41st overall in the class of 2021. She helped her Foothill High School squad to the CIF Div. I state finals as a sophomore and semifinals as a junior, earning first team all-league accolades.
Bays becomes the latest in a long line of Huskies to play for Tstreet Volleyball Club in Irvine, California. Current Husky libero Emma Calle played for the club, as did former Husky standouts Cassie Strickland, Tia Scambray, Crissy Jones, and Bailey Tanner. Bays won a national title for Tstreet, taking the 2019 16-Open title at the Junior National Championships where she was named MVP of the All-Tournament Team. That squad was named USA Volleyball Club Team of the Year. Bays was also named one of PrepVolleyball’s top-50 juniors in 2019.
“As I was walking around the UW campus and in the arena, I felt as if I had been there before,” said Bays. “It was a special feeling that felt like home. The coaches, staff, and players welcomed me with open arms which made me feel a part of the team. There isn’t anything that felt out of place as soon as I stepped onto the campus.”
Lauren Bays is what happens when tremendous love of the game meets great learning at a young age. For years she has been winning at the highest levels of the game. She was a must-get player in our evaluation in a position that has always been a key to our success.Coach Cook On Lauren Bays
Emoni Bush
6’3” – Outside Hitter – Campbell River, B.C., Canada – Wave VBC
Bush hails from Campbell River, British Columbia, which is on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter played for Carihi Secondary School and the Wave Volleyball Club. She helped Carihi to the AAA Provincials silver medal in 2018 and 2019, and was a three-time high school all-star and two-time club all-star. Bush also earned a starting role for Team Canada at the 2019 U18 World Championships in Egypt.
“I could see from my very first visit, that if I chose UW I would gain more than just a place to play and continue my education. I would gain an entire family and support system,” said Bush. “The support provided by coaches, players, trainers and academic staff is truly incredible and something that was important to me. I am blessed to join a school with such a rich tradition both on and off the court. Being a student-athlete at such a prestigious university has been a dream of mine since I picked up a volleyball. I am beyond excited and blessed to say that I am officially a Husky!”
Emoni Bush’s rate of improvement caught our attention early in this recruiting cycle. She went from potential to prospect in six months. Emoni has the physicality to score in the Pac-12 plus the international experience we love for our players. She has Olympic aspirations for her home country of Canada and we’re thrilled to have her in our gym in January.Coach Cook on Emoni Bush
Audra Wilmes
6’1” – Outside Hitter – West Linn, Ore. – NPJ Salem
Wilmes led her West Linn High School team to consecutive Three Rivers League titles and top-five finishes at state in her sophomore and junior seasons. She was a unanimous All-State tourney first team pick in 2019 and was named one of 25 underclassmen to watch in the spring of 2020 by Volleyball Magazine and named an AVCA/Under Armour Third Team All-American.
Wilmes played club most recently for NPJ Salem was well as PVC. She was picked for the 2019 USA Youth National Training Team.
“Walking onto campus the first time, I knew it felt like home,” said Wilmes. “The girls and coaches were so welcoming, I could feel it was more than just a team, it was family. Having the opportunity to play for such a renowned coaching staff and program, while getting an education at Washington is truly a blessing. I grew up watching Pac-12 teams play on big stages, and I knew one day I wanted to be a part of it. Now my dreams have come true, and I am so excited to become a part of the University of Washington's legacy.”
Audra Wilmes joins a long list of talented outside hitters from the state of Oregon to come north. Her length, range as an attacker and work ethic stood out amongst the best players in the Northwest. She has played in the top divisions of club volleyball since her sophomore year and has always thrived on the challenge.Coach Cook on Audra Wilmes
Molly Wilson
5’11” – Setter – Murrieta, Calif. – Coast VBC
Wilson played the past several club seasons with Coast VBC where she was a teammate of current Husky freshman Madi Endsley. Prior to that she also competed for Forza1. Her club team got the win at the 2019 Northern Lights tourney and was second in the 2018 Junior Nationals USA division.
As a junior, Wilson piloted her Vista Murrieta high school squad to the California Div. I state championship, defeating Campolindo in the finals despite coming into the tourney seeded just fifth in the SoCal bracket. She was named to the 2019 All-State Team, the All-SoCal Varisty Team, and the All-Southwestern League Team for the second time.
Athletics runs in the family as Wilson’s mother Desiree broke the Texas high school 300m hurdles record and played basketball at Loyola Marymount and her father, Travis, played baseball for LMU and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Wilson graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Wilson said she chose Washington “Because of how welcomed I felt from day one. I knew I was going to get an awesome four year experience, but also a forever family. The coaches, the players, and the entire volleyball community are truly something special. It is an environment where I feel like I will be pushed to grow into the best version of myself. Staying on the West Coast was important to me because it was far enough away from home, yet close enough for my parents and family to come visit and watch me play. I’m super excited for the opportunity to be a part of Husky Nation.”
Molly Wilson is in my view one of the best kept secrets in the 2021 class particularly in Southern California. She is an articulate and determined competitor who makes teams better. I am equally excited about Molly’s setting abilities as I am about her leadership potential.Coach Cook on Molly Wilson
Our first #NewHusky of #NationalSigningDay is here! ??
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) November 11, 2020
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NLI #?2? is in!! ??
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) November 11, 2020
Fired up for ?????????? ????????????, our newest setter from Murrieta, California!
Molly led her high school team to its first ever California State Title ?? in 2019 and was named to the All-State Team.#PointHuskies x #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/25Gruv3qwy
Another journey begins! #NewHusky #?3? on #NationalSigningDay is Oregon's ?????????? ????????????. The outside hitter was picked for the U.S. National Youth Training Team, and was named an AVCA/UnderArmour Third Team All-American today. ??
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) November 11, 2020
Welcome to Washington! #PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/2RCQ8cIWP8
Our Class of 2?0?2?1? is complete with #NewHusky ???????????? ????????!!
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) November 12, 2020
One of the top liberos in the nation, currently ranked #?5? at the position by PrepVolleyball, the Orange County, CA native will be digging Seattle next fall. ??#PointHuskies x #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/j8g6j6rgQW