ASHLAND – Southern Oregon University volleyball coach Josh Rohlfing struck a balance between youth and experience with the Raiders' latest recruiting class, meeting demands all over the floor as the 2017 season approaches.

Five individuals have signed NAIA and Cascade Collegiate Conference letters of intent to arrive in Ashland later this summer, Rohlfing announced Friday, joining a group of 13 players back from last year's team. The class includes incoming freshman middles Elliott Cook of Grants Pass High and Deziree McKee of Franklin High in Elk Grove, Calif. The other three are transfers: outside hitters Dani Johnson of Skagit Valley College (Wash.) and Malie Rube of Linn Benton College (Ore.), both entering their junior seasons, and sophomore-to-be Kadyn Jones, a versatile setter and Oregon native joining the Raiders via Southwestern College (Kan.).

The newcomers will help set up several healthy positional battles within a team that went 11-9 in conference play as it attempts fill voids left by the only three upperclassmen on the previous roster – Emma Gasman and Lauren McGowne, both four-year starters and CCC all-stars at middle and setter, and standout middle/hitter Courtney Macklin.

"All of these student-athletes excel in the classroom and each will be able to compete for playing time right away," Rohlfing said. "We feel that we've added dynamic, exceptionally talented players that all have a desire to get better. This class guarantees that we won't have a shortage of size or ball control."

ELLIOTT COOK | 6-1, Middle | Grants Pass High (Grants Pass, Ore.)

(Photo courtesy of Will Rubin, Daily Courier)
About: In Cook, Rohlfing believes the Raiders landed one of the Rogue Valley's best. Capable of playing multiple positions at 6-foot-1, she was an All-Southwest Conference performer three years and a first-team selection as a senior after leading her team in blocks and kills and helping bring the Cavers to the state playoffs. She was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Rohlfing on Cook: "We are so excited to have Elliott in our program. She is an exceptional talent and we feel fortunate that one of the best local volleyball players in recent memory chose to continue her career with us. She is extremely long and can play middle, outside and right side for us. We've watched her since her eighth-grade season and had the opportunity to coach her through camps and clubs over the years. She's evolved each year and I imagine that will continue through her time with us."

DANI JOHNSON | 5-11, Outside Hitter | Skagit Valley College (Wash.)/Sehome High (Bellingham, Wash.)

About: Johnson chose Seattle Pacific University out of high school and an injury cut her freshman season short, but she hit the junior college circuit and excelled. At Skagit, she ranked fifth in the Northwest Athletic Conference at 3.9 kills per set on a .256 attacking average. She was at her best in the regional tournament, turning in a 28-kill performance against Clark College and following that with a 15-kill match the same day. Johnson earned first-team all-conference honors and was also a member of the all-academic team.
Rohlfing on Johnson: "Dani is a six-rotation outside. She adds a live arm, solid passing, and a great court presence to a core of outside hitters returning from last season. She was a tremendous player for Skagit last season; she's used to carrying the load when necessary and can swing for points. We were struck by her ability to be steady every play and felt like that was the quality that would be affirming for our team on and off the court. "

KADYN JONES | 5-7, Setter | Southwestern College (Kan.)/Reynolds High (Troutdale, Ore.)

About: Though recruited as a setter, Jones has proven to be capable in several facets of the game throughout her career. As a freshman at Southwestern, another NAIA program, she served as a backup setter and had a season-high 35 assists against Oklahoma Wesleyan; she recorded 20-plus digs six times with a high of 26 as a libero, leading the team with a total of 367; and also recorded 44 kills as a part-time outside. At Reynolds High in Troutdale, Ore., she was an all-conference setter three times and set a single-season school record with 94 service aces.
Rohlfing on Jones: "Kadyn is somebody that we talked with a ton out of high school and feel fortunate that she reached out to us when she decided to leave Southwestern. I've had opportunities to work with Kadyn at camps and she brings an enthusiasm and excitement to the gym. She is a tremendous leader and will contribute in so many tangible and intangible aspects of our program. We're very excited to have her in our program."

DEZIREE McKEE | 6-2, Middle | Franklin High (Elk Grove, Calif.)

About: With McKee, the Raiders will have five underclassmen on the roster measuring 6-foot or taller. At Franklin, she was a three-year letterwinner and served as a team captain as a senior all-star. She was additionally a perennial member of the honor roll.
Rohlfing on McKee: "We connected with Deziree late for our normal recruiting timeline. Dez is going to contribute in the middle for us. She is another very lanky, quick athlete that will allow us to continue our efforts to get better at the net. The scariest aspect of her is that she has talent matched with great athleticism and immense potential to continue growth."

MALIE RUBE | 5-8, Outside Hitter | Linn Benton College (Ore.)/Crescent Valley High (Corvallis, Ore.)

About: Adding more depth to the outside, Rube is a year removed from an efficient, first-team all-conference campaign at Linn Benton. As a sophomore, she ranked eighth in the Northwest Athletic Conference in both kills per set (3.6) and attacking average (.292). That year, she also garnered an NWAC Academic Excellence Award.
Rohlfing on Rube: "Malie took a year off from playing after finishing her associate degree at Linn Benton, so she wasn't on the radar this year. We feel fortunate that (Linn Benton) coach Jayme Frazier knew what we were looking for in this class positionally, academically, and athletically. Malie is an exceptionally explosive jumper and can terminate. Incredibly, she might be even better as a receive passer. She'll be a great leader and character builder in our program."