Nov. 8, 2017
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech volleyball head coach Michelle Collier inked four high school athletes to the Class of 2018 during national signing day on Wednesday.
Mikaila Dowd
Hailing from Naperville, Ill., Mikaila Dowd joins the Yellow Jackets as an outside hitter. The 6-foot, righty lettered for four years at Metea Valley High School. She set the season kills record (328) during the 2017 season and set the career kill record (1,002) at her high school. She was a member of the 2017 DVC conference championship team. In 2016 she was named all-conference and all-area teams and earned special mention all-state. Named to the academic all-conference team in 2016, Dowd is an intended biomedical engineering major. Graduating high school early, Dowd will arrive on The Flats for the spring 2018 semester to join the Yellow Jackets in training and spring competition.
Collier on Dowd: “I am excited to get Mikaila here this spring and have the chance to work with her in our gym prior to the fall 2018 season. She is an awesome team player who brings in tons of energy and work ethic to the gym. She is a great all-around player who is used to a high level of training and competition and will immediately impact our program with her natural leadership qualities. I am looking forward to her career here at Tech.”
Kayla Kaiser
Kayla Kaiser comes to Tech from Louisville, KY. A 6-foot-1 outside hitter/middle blocker, Kaiser attended Assumption High School. She was named Kentucky’s 2017 Ms. Volleyball by the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association. In high school, she was a 4 year letter winner under Coach Ron Kordes, winning the KHSAA district championship from 2014-2017, regional championship in 2015 and 2017, and state championships in 2015 and 2017. Kaiser was named to the Under Armour All-American Team and dubbed the Region Player of the Year.
Collier on Kaiser: “Kayla is one of those players that everyone that plays against her wish they had her on their team. She is a player that every time we watched she was always playing harder than anyone around her. I love her competitive spirit and her commitment to her teammates in every point. She plays to win no matter the score or who she is facing. She is a fighter and a winner and she has played volleyball for some great teams and coaches. I am looking forward to getting her in our gym!”
Breland Morrissette
Breland Morrisette comes to The Flats from Birmingham, Ala. A 6-foot-1 middle blocker, Morrisette attended The Altamont School. She trained with Southern Performance volleyball club year round from her sophomore year through her senior year. In 2017 she was a member of the AAU National Championship 17s squad. A 2017 AP Scholar, Morrisette intends to major in biomedical engineering.
Collier on Morrissette: “Bre is a very physical player, she has continued to grow and learn of the years we have been watching her. She has a little more reserved court personality compared to others in this class, but I think she brings in a very high work ethic and physicality. She has been a leader on the teams that she plays and we look forward to her continue to develop those qualities here at Tech.”
Maddie Tippett
Atlanta native Maddie Tippett joined the Yellow Jackets as a libero/defensive specialist. A 5-foot-6 righty, Tippett attended Saint Pius High School. She earned varsity letters all 4 years of high school, serving as captain for one year under Coach John Frederick. Tippett helped guide her high school team to an Area championship in 2015-2017, earning personal honors from the GVCA as 1st team All-Area and 1st Team All-State in 2016. She credits the excellent academics, the high level of volleyball competition, and the excellent volleyball coaching staff at Georgia Tech as her top reasons for signing.
Collier on Tippett: “Maddie is so much fun to watch; she is a kid that will run through a wall to make a play and brings tons of energy to the court. Her on-court demeanor and skills will definitely add depth to our defense and serve receive. I look forward to her contributions to our program and our community; it is great to add another Georgia talent to our roster.”
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter ( @GTVolleyball ), Facebook ( Georgia Tech Volleyball ) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com .
