Volleyball Welcomes Three Signees in 2022 Class
11/17/2021 11:13:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Zidek and staff sign Grace Brooker, Katelynn Oxley and Taylor Underwood
CHICAGO – DePaul women's volleyball head coach Marie Zidek and her staff announced this week that the Blue Demons will welcome a trio of signees to campus in the fall of 2022 as Grace Brooker, Katelynn Oxley, and Taylor Underwood have signed to spend their collegiate careers in Lincoln Park.
"In the 2022 class, our goal was to get more physical at the net by recruiting length and power while maintaining our culture of recruiting high work ethic and high character proven people and proven winners. We achieved just that with this 2022 class" said Zidek.
Grace Brooker, a 6-2 right side, lands in Chicago from Georgetown, Kentucky and Great Crossing High School. Brooker led her high school program to its first Region title in history in 2021 picking up All-Region honors along the way. In 2019, Brooker was named district MVP and was selected to the district team in her junior and senior seasons. Most recently, Grace was awarded the AVCA Best and Brightest Award and landed on the AVCA All-Region 5 team.
"Grace is a recruit who over and over again stood out offensively every time I went to watch her play. She reminded me a lot of Brittany Maxwell as a lefty with great arm control. Her desire to be great, high focus on academics, wanting to be a part of a great team culture and wish to be an impact player in a program looking to continue to Championship Chase made her a perfect fit for where we are and where we need to go with our offense."
Katelynn Oxley, a 6-3 middle blocker from Lincoln, Nebraska, joins the Blue Demons from Lincoln Lutheran and Nebraska Juniors club program. Oxley, a three-sport student-athlete, led her program to the C-1 Nebraska State Championship on November 8, 2021 with 12 kills and five blocks in the title match. Additionally, Oxley earned C-1 All-Tournament team honors after being named All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention in 2020. Oxley qualified for the state championships in the High Jump and was also named All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention in basketball. In the classroom, Oxley has earned Honor Roll distinction every semester and has been named Academic All-State for volleyball, basketball and track.
"Oxley gives us more length in the middle that will help slow down the talented attackers we have in this conference. Coming from that State of Nebraska and a State Championship, she is also well versed in what's needed to win at a consistent level. Her work ethic and academic focus are a perfect balance and fit for DePaul. We are excited for her potential."
Taylor Underwood, a 6-2 pin hitter, committed to DePaul from Norco, Calif. and Tstreet Volleyball club. Underwood is a 2x PrepVolley Class of '22 Top 50 watch list honoree and was also recognized on the 2020 AVCA Phenom list and 2021 JVA Ultra Ankle watch list. At Norco High School, Underwood holds the record for most kills in a single match (30) and was selected to the 2021 Tesoro Championships and Mountain View All-Tournament teams. In 2019, Underwood was named CIF First Team All-League and Offensive MVP for her squad. Academically, Underwood has claimed Presidential Honor Roll status along with being awarded the National Junior Honors Society scholarship award. On three occasions, she has also been recognized with an Academic Excellence Award for Honors with Distinction.
"Taylor gives us flexibility on both pins for offense. Her length is going to allow us to expand our attacking range, which not only elevates our offense in total, it helps elevate our other pins who like to move around and beat people with speed by forcing the defense to change rhythms quickly. She will grossly expand what we can do. Personality wise, she brings such an upbeat attitude and energy that will add momentum to a group who has already created a gritty team identity this year. She personifies Joe Maddon's quote 'Don't allow pressure (of the moment) to take away the pleasure (of the journey),' and we expect a lot from her."
DePaul is in the midst of its winningest season since 2001 and will close out the regular season on Friday and Saturday with matches against Villanova and Georgetown before heading to Milwaukee for the 2021 BIG EAST Tournament Nov. 26-27. The Blue Demons will make their first appearance in the conference tournament since joining the league in 2005.
"In the 2022 class, our goal was to get more physical at the net by recruiting length and power while maintaining our culture of recruiting high work ethic and high character proven people and proven winners. We achieved just that with this 2022 class" said Zidek.
Grace Brooker, a 6-2 right side, lands in Chicago from Georgetown, Kentucky and Great Crossing High School. Brooker led her high school program to its first Region title in history in 2021 picking up All-Region honors along the way. In 2019, Brooker was named district MVP and was selected to the district team in her junior and senior seasons. Most recently, Grace was awarded the AVCA Best and Brightest Award and landed on the AVCA All-Region 5 team.
"Grace is a recruit who over and over again stood out offensively every time I went to watch her play. She reminded me a lot of Brittany Maxwell as a lefty with great arm control. Her desire to be great, high focus on academics, wanting to be a part of a great team culture and wish to be an impact player in a program looking to continue to Championship Chase made her a perfect fit for where we are and where we need to go with our offense."
Katelynn Oxley, a 6-3 middle blocker from Lincoln, Nebraska, joins the Blue Demons from Lincoln Lutheran and Nebraska Juniors club program. Oxley, a three-sport student-athlete, led her program to the C-1 Nebraska State Championship on November 8, 2021 with 12 kills and five blocks in the title match. Additionally, Oxley earned C-1 All-Tournament team honors after being named All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention in 2020. Oxley qualified for the state championships in the High Jump and was also named All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention in basketball. In the classroom, Oxley has earned Honor Roll distinction every semester and has been named Academic All-State for volleyball, basketball and track.
"Oxley gives us more length in the middle that will help slow down the talented attackers we have in this conference. Coming from that State of Nebraska and a State Championship, she is also well versed in what's needed to win at a consistent level. Her work ethic and academic focus are a perfect balance and fit for DePaul. We are excited for her potential."
Taylor Underwood, a 6-2 pin hitter, committed to DePaul from Norco, Calif. and Tstreet Volleyball club. Underwood is a 2x PrepVolley Class of '22 Top 50 watch list honoree and was also recognized on the 2020 AVCA Phenom list and 2021 JVA Ultra Ankle watch list. At Norco High School, Underwood holds the record for most kills in a single match (30) and was selected to the 2021 Tesoro Championships and Mountain View All-Tournament teams. In 2019, Underwood was named CIF First Team All-League and Offensive MVP for her squad. Academically, Underwood has claimed Presidential Honor Roll status along with being awarded the National Junior Honors Society scholarship award. On three occasions, she has also been recognized with an Academic Excellence Award for Honors with Distinction.
"Taylor gives us flexibility on both pins for offense. Her length is going to allow us to expand our attacking range, which not only elevates our offense in total, it helps elevate our other pins who like to move around and beat people with speed by forcing the defense to change rhythms quickly. She will grossly expand what we can do. Personality wise, she brings such an upbeat attitude and energy that will add momentum to a group who has already created a gritty team identity this year. She personifies Joe Maddon's quote 'Don't allow pressure (of the moment) to take away the pleasure (of the journey),' and we expect a lot from her."
DePaul is in the midst of its winningest season since 2001 and will close out the regular season on Friday and Saturday with matches against Villanova and Georgetown before heading to Milwaukee for the 2021 BIG EAST Tournament Nov. 26-27. The Blue Demons will make their first appearance in the conference tournament since joining the league in 2005.
Highlights: Volleyball vs. Chicago State
Sunday, September 14
Highlights: Volleyball vs. Missouri State
Sunday, September 14
Highlights: Volleyball vs. Central Arkansas
Saturday, September 13
Episode 24: Marie Zidek, Women's Volleyball
Tuesday, September 02