BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball program has received six official commitments in the early signing period, welcoming Madison Deslatte (Pearland, Texas / Dawson HS), Brooke Fryar (Hillsborough, N.C. / Orange HS), Camille Jefferson (Milwaukee, Wisc. / Dominican Catholic HS), Mikah McIntosh (Miami, Fla / West Broward HS), Tori Weatherley (Friendswood, Texas / Friendswood HS)  and junior college transfer Audrey Gun (Istanbul, Turkey / Tyler Junior College), as announced by GWU head coach Kamille Jones.
 
Deslatte, a right side hitter at Dawson High School, helped lead her team to a District championship this past season with an overall record of 40-4 and an appearance in the Class 6A Regional Finals in 2018.  Prior to the 2019 season, Deslatte was named to the Preseason All-VYPE Volleyball team, as well as to the TAVC, GHVCA, and Under Armour All-American watchlists.  She also earned All-District honors each of the past three seasons, and has been part of the Absolute Volleyball Academy Texas – 18 Adidas team.

"I've watched Madison play over the last two years during my time in Texas," stated Jones.  "I was very familiar with her game and knew that should we be a force to reckon with on the right pin. She is an excellent blocker but also shines offensively as a lefty opposite. We will look for her to contribute significantly in the offensive and defensive charges."
 
Fryar helped lead Orange High School to a 16-8 overall record and third-place finish in conference play at 10-4 this past season, playing as libero and defensive specialist.  Captaining her team the past two seasons, Fryar tallied 684 digs throughout her high school career and earned All-Conference honors in 2018.  She has also been part of the Triangle Volleyball Club Carolina Edge 18U club team.
 
"Brooke is a firecracker in the back row," said Jones.  "She has incredible speed and vision. I was very impressed with her ability to read and create digs. She also has a natural platform touch that translates well to serve-receive. I will look for her to be a difference maker for our offense in consideration of increasing our dig to kill ratio next season. I am proud to have Brooke representing North Carolina in this class."

Jefferson led Dominican Catholic to a 25-12 record this past season, and the team's first postseason appearance since 1997, making it to the Wisconsin Metro Conference sectional finals. A four-year starter as an outside hitter, Jefferson has received multiple honors, including being named one of Milwaukee area high schools "Players to Watch" and All-Conference honorable mention.  She has also been a part of the Wisconsin Premier Volleyball club.

"The addition of Camille is simply-put as a "perfect fit" situation—she was the perfect fit for us and we for her," stated Jones. "Camille is tremendously athletic. I knew she would be a pivotal piece for this program once I read her personal statement. She wants to be the best player in the gym at all times. Her father is a coach and aids in this highly competitive mentality. Her parents are her greatest supporters and I am sure that this will prove volumes for her and GWU volleyball next fall."
 
McIntosh, an outside hitter/libero, led West Broward High School to an 18-9 record and a trip to the districts as team captain this past season, and was also named Tournament MVP at the Smoothie King Tournament.  McIntosh was named to the 2018 All-Broward Volleyball 9A-6A Second Team by the Miami Herald, and is also a part of the Wildfire Volleyball Academy club team.
 
"In review of Mikah's film I instantly noticed several similarities between our personal styles of play," said Jones. "I forwarded the film on the rest of the staff and said "this is me, I can coach this." Mikah comes from a highly athletic family. Her father played in the NFL and her twin brothers compete in Division I athletics at West Virginia (baseball) and Sacred Heart (volleyball). What sold me on Mikah was her extreme competitiveness, commitment to greatness, and her family's determination to see her excel at a high level. I felt that she personified the culture we are looking to expand on; so from there, we effectively built the recruiting class around this notion."

Weatherley led Friendswood High School to a Region III-5A title this season and its first trip to the state tournament since the 2013 season.  Prior to the start of the season, Weatherley was named the VYPE Houston Preseason Setter of the Year and was named to the All-State Preseason and Under Armour All-American watch lists.  The 2018 Bay Area Player of the Year, Weatherley has totaled over 2000 assists and 500 digs throughout her high school career.  She is also a member of the Absolute Volleyball Academy Texas – 18 Adidas team.

"Tori has a relentless mentality," said Jones. "She will work to make everyone else around her better and won't stop until she does. This is an absolutely essential quality for a setter. Her leadership will be the catalyst to drive this class to success. She has had tremendous success at the high school level advancing to the Texas 5A State Semifinals. Her longevity in the postseason will prepare her for the ones to come here at GWU."
 
Gun joins the Runnin' Bulldogs by way of Tyler Junior College, where she has totaled 176 kills this season as an outside hitter, leading her team to a third-place finish in the 2019 Region XIV Championship while earning All-Region Tournament team honors.  Last season, Gun led the Apaches to the Region XIV championship and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Championship tournament.  Gun was a three-time team MVP at International Gateway Academy and also played for the Altinyurt Spor Kulubu A Takim club team.

"I felt that Audrey was both a unique and critical piece to this class," stated Jones. "Her international background speaks to the strength of her all-around game. Her previous collegiate experience will bode well for her in the transition to Gardner-Webb. We are excited to have her joining us this spring."
 
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