The Westminster College Women's Volleyball Program posted their first 20 plus win season in over a decade in 2015, and they look to continue to build upon the success.  The 2015 season saw many records fall and two seniors finish quality careers. "It will not be easy to replace the leadership, experience, and skill that both Lexi Collier and Caroline Will provided this program," stated Coach Curtis Madson, who is entering his fourth season as head coach of the Blue Jays.  "Caroline was one of my go-to leaders; she held a captain role for us for three years and played a large part in our on-court success since my arrival. Lexi was a force on the court, and it is hard to replace a player like her. She could take over a match at any moment on offense or defense; players like her are special."

The Blue Jays look to the class of 2016 to build on the foundation that has been laid over the past few seasons, where success has become an expectation.  The incoming class will be looked to have an immediate impact in some roles and also to build the competitive depth of one of the top teams in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. "With the additions we made in the 2016 class, I think we are set up for not only a run this season, but for years to come," stated Madson. "There are players that I will look to on day one to come in and produce, and players that are going to develop into big players for us in the future."

The class of 2016 features six players that come from four states. "Every year when I head out on the recruiting trail I make a point to look for the best student-athletes for our program, and I do not worry about where they come from," Madson said. "I recruit nationally; I make it my goal to find the best talent available and we have been very lucky over the years that they have been willing to come to Westminster. I think it speaks volumes to how great of an institution and culture we have here at Westminster that so many students are willing to leave the comfort of their home and come great distances to join us here in Fulton."

Meet the Blue Jays 2016 recruiting class:

Teresa Becker: St. Charles, Mo. (Home Schooled) – Setter

Teresa Becker comes to Westminster as a decorated prep volleyball player, and is looking to continue building on her prep success.  Teresa is a three-time All-Region award winner during her home school varsity career. "Teresa has not only preformed great at high levels of her high school career, she also has been a leader and captain on those teams," said Coach Madson "We are looking to Teresa to develop into our setter and possibly leader of the future."  "Teresa is an amazing athlete, and she has played multiple positions during her career, but we are looking to the future with Teresa, as we hope she will come in and learn, develop, and push our current setter as she grows into our setter of the future" Coach Madson continued "I am very comfortable moving forward with an athlete like Teresa, she gives us the abilities to do multiple different things in the future, possibly the move the a 6-2 offense with her hitting abilities, with her nothing is off the table."

AnnaLee Chitwood: Fayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville HS) – Middle Hitter

AnnaLee Chitwood comes to Westminster from one of the top high school programs inArkansas the past few years. During AnnaLee's two years on with the varsity program, she was part of a state runner-up and a state champion.  "AnnaLee comes from a very successful volleyball background; she knows what it takes to compete at the top level day in and day out," said Coach Madson.  "We are looking for AnnaLee to come in and continue to build on to our winning culture with her experiences and help to continue the Blue Jay volleyball program down a winning path."  AnnaLee is one of two middle hitters in the 2016 recruiting class.  "With the graduation of one of our starting middles, we wanted to make sure we went out and recruited to strengthen and deepen that position. I look forward to the competition AnnaLee will bring to that position this fall."

Elizabeth Kelley: Omaha, Neb. (Pappilion-Lavista HS) – Middle Hitter

Elizabeth Kelley comes to Westminster with one of the most successful prep careers to date.  In her three years on varsity at Pappilion-Lavista, her teams have finished with two third place finishes and a Nebraska state runner-up. "Elizabeth is a very well trained, and physical middle hitter," said Coach Madson. "I expect her to come in and compete for a job on day one.  She is a very efficient attacker with a very good block.  She has the potential to be a top player in the SLIAC for years to come."  In 2014, her Pappilion-Lavista team finished the season with a 42-1 record and a 10th place national ranking.  "I have no doubt that Elizabeth knows what it takes to be successful," Madson continued. "Not only have I tried to find players with great talents like Elizabeth, but I have looked for players who understand what goes into having a winning culture.  I look to Elizabeth to be a leader on and off the court for us in the future."

Ashley Kistaitis: Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln North Star HS) – Outside Hitter 

Ashley Kistaitis comes to Westminster from a very successful and decorated career at North Star High School.  Ashley was a three-year letter winner for the Gators, where they qualified for the State Tournament twice. "Ashley is another athlete that has played for top level teams and understands what it takes," said Coach Madson. During her high school career, she received many accolades including being named All-State in 2014.  "Ashley is yet another very solid pin hitter that we have brought in," Madson continued. "We are looking for her to continue to strengthen that position, and push for a spot on day one.  Her game is already well developed, and she possesses all the shots to score points at this level.  Ashley only makes one of our team strengths stronger, it should be an interesting fall with Ashley in the mix."  Ashley also excelled in the classroom, earning multiple academic awards, including the Highest Distinction Scholar Athlete Award from 2013 through 2016. "She is the type of student-athlete we look for," Madson said.

Kaylee Leslie: Racine, Wis. (Washington Park HS) – Outside Hitter

Kaylee Leslie comes to Westminster as one of the most versatile players in the 2016 class, and there is not a position that she hasn't played in her career.  "Kaylee can fill any role on our team and do it at a high level," said Coach Madson. "Her versatility is one of the things that drew me to Kaylee during the recruiting process, as well as her extensive background in the sport.  I don't know if we have many players with her level of volleyball IQ." Kaylee is a very decorated player coming out of Washington Park High School, as she is a three-time All-County and All-Conference selection.  "Kaylee is a well polished player, that has the ability to make us better at multiple positions," Coach Madson continued. "We brought Kaylee in to be part of our outside hitter core, but she has the ability to push on the other pin, as well add much needed depth to the setter position. You can't put a price tag on a player like Kaylee; it's like getting three players in one."

Chyanne Schwerdt: Warrenton, Mo. (Warrenton HS) – Opposite

Chyanne Schwerdt comes to Westminster as the lone opposite in the 2016 class.  She has not only been a solid contributor on the court during her time at Warrenton High School, but also off the court.  "Chyanne is a great fit for Westminster as she has a very strong commitment to both academics and athletics," said Coach Madson.  She was a two-time member of the Academic All-Conference team during her career and a two-time recipient of the All-Conference Sportsmanship Award.  "Chyanne has great character qualities, and will be a solid addition to all the great things we are doing here at Westminster," stated Coach Madson. "We look for Chyanne to continue to develop her game and give us a push at the opposite position as we try to solidify it for the future."

The Westminster Blue Jay's season will begin on Labor Day Weekend in St. Paul, Minn. as they participate in the UNW Labor Day Tournament.  Their first match will be at 1:00 pm against the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference's St. Scholastica.