IRVINE, Calif. --- The UC Irvine women's volleyball program, heading in a new direction under the leadership of Anteater alumna, Ashlie Hain, welcomes in a seven-member recruiting class for 2015.
Six freshmen dot the list of newcomers and are joined by a transfer from Portland University.
Harlee Kekauoha inked her letter of intent during her final year at Long Beach Wilson High School. Spending her first three seasons at North Torrance High, Kekauoha is a four-year varsity starter. Playing both at the opposite and setting positions, she competed on teams that won back-to-back Pioneer League championships in 2012 and 2013. A 6-0 opposite, Kekauoha was voted the league's Most Outstanding Player as a junior and tabbed as a PrepVolleyball Class 2015 Senior Ace. Kekauoha played for Mizuno Long Beach, winning a silver medal in the Open Division with 17-Rockstar.
Adding depth to the middle is Idara Akpakpa, a 6-0 prep from Liberty High School. Akpakpa earned first-team All-Bay Valley Athletic League recognition three consecutive years and was a Most Valuable Player as a senior. In 2014, Akpakpa put away 216 kills while picking up 262 digs and totaling 87 digs. She competed with the Rage, Altamont and Diablo Valley Volleyball Clubs.
Claire Coash hails from Aptos, Calif. and is a three-time All-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League choice. The 6-1 middle blocker helped her team to a 23-9 record last year and played on four league championship teams. Coash, who also lettered in basketball and track and field, captained the team her senior year. She spent nine years with the Main Beach Volleyball Club and helped the team win the Far Western Qualifier in 2013 and the SoCal Qualifier last season.
Kylie Green, a 6-0 outside hitter, lettered at St. Francis High School, where she garnered a spot on the Optimist All-Star team last year. Also a Sacrament All-City choice, Green totaled 437 kills and 299 digs while posting 34 blocks to help the squad to a 30-12 record. At the club level, she spent three seasons with the Five Starz, finishing as high as second in the Open Division at Nationals in 2012. Green also played for Synergy Force and the NCVC 18s, qualifying for Nationals in 2015.
Ali Koumelis is the lone setter of the group. Standing at 5-9, she transfers to UCI from Portland, where she was named to the Idaho Nike All-Tournament team as a freshman after posting 68 assists in the tournament. In her initial collegiate campaign, Koumelis logged 472 assists to go along with 207 digs. She attended St. Francis High School and led the Delta River League in assists in 2013 with 969 and a 9.5 assist average. She played on four league championships teams that went undefeated in league action. As a senior, she was voted to the MaxPreps All-State team and was the Delta River League Player of the Year. At the club level, Koumelis played for Northern California Volleyball Club, advancing to the Junior National Championships all six seasons that she competed.
Samantha Frost is a 5-9 libero, who was named the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year. The San Bernardino County honorable mention and All-Inland Valley second-team honoree scooped up 374 digs for the 22-9 Rancho Cucamonga High squad. She was a Baseline League winner as a junior and is a three-time all-league choice. She played club volleyball with Club West and helped the team capture a bronze medal at Junior Nationals in the 17 Open Division.
Jessica Taylor also stands at 5-9 and was a West Yosemite League co-Most Valuable Player in 2014. Coming in as a defensive specialist, Taylor touted offensive skills for Lemoore High School, setting a record of 29 kills in a game while totaling 324 for the year. She played on two West Yosemite Conference championship teams and picked up all-conference honors four straight years.
Harlee Kekauoha......... OPP..... 6-0....... Fr........ Long Beach/Long Beach Wilson HS
Idara Akpakpa.............. MB...... 6-0....... Fr........ Brentwood/Liberty HS
Claire Coash................. MB...... 6-1....... Fr........ Aptos/Aptos HS
Samantha Frost............ L.......... 5-9....... Fr........ Rancho Cucamonga/Rancho Cucamonga HS
Kylie Green.................. OH....... 6-0....... Fr........ Gold River/St. Francis HS
Ali Koumelis................. S.......... 5-9....... So........ Roseville/Portland
Jessica Taylor............... DS....... 5-9....... Fr........ Lemoore/Lemoore HS
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