DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Volleyball Team Welcomes Three Signees to 2018 Squad
11/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
CHICAGO - Head coach Nadia Edwards and the DePaul volleyball team welcome three signees to the program to join the squad for the 2018 season. The class of signees, Donna Brown, Natalie Hayward, and Mattie Norris round out the roster for the 2018 campaign.
"We are excited to welcome this group of young women to our program. They are an extremely talented group who all have winning experience and have played volleyball at a high level," said head coach Nadia Edwards. "There is a great opportunity for this class to fill some key roles for next year and bring that competitive spirit they all possess to DePaul."
Donna Brown comes to DePaul from Hilliard-Bradley in Galloway, Ohio where she started all four years as a middle hitter on the varsity team. The four-year scholar athlete was a named 2016 MVP of Hilliard-Bradley Volleyball. "Donna is a very dynamic blocker. She has a huge wing span, is very quick laterally and makes great reads," added Edwards. "She is extremely quick and explosive offensively and as an attacker, sees the block very well. Over the last two seasons, Donna has grown tremendously as an athlete and will fit very well into our fast-tempo system."
The middle hitter was named to the to 1st Team Ohio Capital Conference in 2016 and 2nd Team Ohio Capital Conference in 2015. As Hilliard Bradley Athlete of the Month, Brown was named 2nd Team All-District Central in 2016. Hails from Elite VBC club volleyball, Brown also earned an Academic Letter and Orchestra Letter.
Natalie Hayward joins the Blue Demons from Bothell, Washington where she competed as a four year starter at the varsity level for Archbishop Murphy High School (67-14). In 2017, she was named team captain and earned Impact Player of the Year Award. Natalie is a pure athlete and comes from a competitive athletic family. Her mom (Laurie) was University of Washington's 1st All-American for Volleyball ('88), her Dad (Mike) played Basketball at University of Washington as well and was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. Her older sister (Sam) was a 2016 Under Armor All-American Honorable Mention and just finished her freshman season at Nevada-Reno. "Natalie was a dual sport athlete who chose volleyball over softball. She is extremely strong as a setter and can set a ball from one end of the court to the other with ease," added Edwards. "She has the ability to run a 5-1 faster tempo-offense, is a sound blocker and when needed has proven to be an offensive weapon and top point scorer for her team; showing her versatility and athleticism. We look forward to Natalie coming in and helping to enhance our offensive production this upcoming season."
During the 2016 season, Hayward took 1st Team All-Area Volleyball Award and Cascade Conference MVP. The Washington Volleyball Academy setter, clenched the 2015 1st Team All-Conference Volleyball and 2nd Team All-Area Volleyball Awards. As a freshman, Hayward earned on spot on the 2nd Team All-Conference Volleyball squad.
Mattie Norris, a native of Alexandria, Indiana joins the DePaul volleyball team as a AVCA All-American watch list and PrepVolleyball Frosh 59 watch list player. The outside hitter was named captain of her high school team, Cathedral High School, her senior year and is an honor student. She was a key player and started in two state championship titles (2016, 2015) and one state runner-up title (2014). "Mattie is a fiery and highly competitive player. She has been an offensive weapon for Cathedral High School in their past two state championships and has trained several years with Munciana Volleyball, a club that is synonymous with producing high quality skilled players coming out of the region, added Edwards. "Mattie is a hard worker, has shown great leadership skills and has experience being that "go-to player". She plays with a ton of energy and has been fun to watch. We look forward to Mattie coming in next season and showing her ability to be an offensive weapon for the Blue Demons." 
Norris was a starter for an undefeated season that earned Cathedral High School a state and national championship in 2015. The outside hitter has had a decorated high school career with titles from Indy Star Athlete of the Month, two-time All-City, All-District, Indy Star Player of the Week, and several Player of the Match accolades. Norris holds the Cathedral High School record for most kills in five set times.
