CONWAY – Coming off an impressive 24-6 Sun Belt season and a berth in the 2019 Sun Belt Volleyball Championship finals, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleer volleyball has added to their future by adding four players to next season's 2020 season.
"Our 2020 class' leadership, work ethic, and experience will help us continue our great tradition we have built at Coastal Carolina, but also elevate our program to the next level," said Chanticleer Head Coach Jozsef Forman.
Madison Lowery
Middle Hitter
6-1
Paradise, Texas - TAV Volleyball Club - Decatur High School
Lowery had played in 112 sets in her Decatur High School career where she connected with 147 kills and a hitting percentage of .284. On defense, the Paradise, Texas native has 97 total blocks, 62 of the solo variety.
Her high school accolades include the 2016 Newcomer of the Year, a 2016 Second Team All-District selection, the 2017 Co-Offensive MVP, First Team All-District in 2018 and 2019, and a 2018 Second Team All-State.
"I choose to commit to Coastal because the coaches and the players are very welcoming and there all just all around really good people who have a love for the game," said Lowery. The future Chanticleer plans to study exercise and sports science with the hope of being a physical therapist after her playing career.
"Madison's ability as a blocker and the instincts to read the opponent's setter as well as closing to the pin hitters (opposite hitter) is exceptional."
-Chanticleer Head Coach Jozsef Forman
"Madison is a great addition to our program. Not only has she been a member of a nationally ranked club at TAV, she has received some of the best training in the country. She will bring a defensive element that will enhance our already strong blocking team. She is a great student and person and we are excited about her future here at Coastal."
-Chanticleer Coach Dottie Hampton
"Madison has been a force at the net for four years while at Decatur High. She is a dominant blocker and has worked extremely hard at becoming a prolific attacker as well. Madison is one of the most consistent players I've ever coached. You can count on her to play well day in and day out."
-Coach Clark Oberle, Decatur High School (TX)
Nyla Shepherd
Middle Hitter
6-2
Woodstock, Ga. - A5 Mizuno Volleyball Club - Woodstock High School
Shepherd will join the Chanticleers in the fall of 2020 as she has played in 257 career sets while accumulating over 1000 kills and 34 aces. Defensively, the Woodstock High senior has 301 total blocks, including 198 solo blocks and 56 digs.
In high school, Shepherd was named High School Offensive Player of the Year four-straight years, First Team All-County, and All-Region for the last three seasons. In her final season at Woodstock High, Shepherd received All-State honors.
"I chose to commit to Coastal Carolina because the volleyball program is amazing and the players and coaches are so loving and welcoming," said Shepherd. When selecting a major, the future CCU athlete plans to study forensic psychology with the hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist in the FBI or GBI.
"Nyla's athleticism and the ability to vary her middle attacks will give us a diverse and unpredictable offense."
-Chanticleer Head Coach Jozsef Forman
"Nyla is a true athlete who has yet to reach her growth potential. The raw athleticism that she possess will benefit our team tremendously. She comes from a volleyball club that prides themselves on development and she has received some great training from world-renowned coaches. She will make a great impact on our team and we are happy that she is a Chanticleer."
-Chanticleer Coach Dottie Hampton
"Nyla exudes quiet confidence in what she is doing on and off the court. She made things look very easy that were extremely hard. Nyla was a tremendous teammate on top of the fact that she was unstoppable at times on the court. We will miss her in so many ways."
-Coach Kelly Audia, Woodstock High School (GA)
Taylor Thomason
Defensive Specialist/Libero
5-4
Wake Forest, N.C. - Triangle Volleyball Club - North Raleigh Christian Academy High School
Thomason, a defensive specialist/libero in four years at North Raleigh Christian Academy played in 280 sets for her career, averaging 4.3 digs per set, totaling 1198 for her career. The Wake Forest, N.C., native received 1179 serves and connected with 139 service aces.
Winning is synonymous with this future Chanticleer as she has been part of four state championships at North Raleigh Christian Academy. Thomason has been selected to the All-Conference and All-State teams from 2017-2019 and Best Defensive Player from 2017-19, During her senior season, Thomason was nominated to Under Armor All-American list, All-Region being named Player of the Week by the Raleigh Sports Club.
"I chose Coastal Carolina because of the welcoming and competitive spirit from each player and coach. I wanted to be a part of a successful and challenging environment that will push me to get better every day, and that is exactly what this school offered me," said Thomason. The Coastal commit plans to study biology with the hopes of becoming a dentist or orthodontist in the future.
"I knew the first time I saw Taylor play her sophomore year in high school, I wanted to coach her at the next level. Even at a young age, she oozed confidence and leadership. At North Raleigh, she built a strong passing and defensive foundation, As a four-time state champion, Taylor comes to the Coastal Carolina expecting nothing short of pure excellence which teal nation will adore the first time they see her play."
-Chanticleer Coach CJ Allard
"Taylor is a prolific defensive specialist, has great instincts, and control of the game. Her skill level matches the training she received in high school and her club (Triangle VBC). She will be a great addition to our serve receive and will make a huge difference in our defense. We anticipate great things out of Taylor in her 4 years here at Coastal."
-Chanticleer Coach Dottie Hampton
Lauren Malone
Outside Hitter
5-10
Round Rock, Texas - Austin Skyline Volleyball Club - Round Rock High School
Malone had played in 285 sets in her career at Round Rock High School. The outside hitter had 787 putaways in her career with 42 services aces. Defensively, Malone had 276 career digs with 74 blocks, including 23 solo stuffs.
The future Chanticleer played just three years at Round Rock and received a varsity letter in each of her three seasons. Malone was named the 2017 District 13-6A Newcomer of the Year and the 2017 and 2018 First Team All-District 13-6A.
"I chose to commit to Coastal Carolina because it feels like home away from home. At CCU, I am able to pursue my passion of marine science and biology while playing for an amazing volleyball program with a winning tradition. Once I met the coaches and the team, I knew CCU was the perfect fit for me," said Malone.
"Lauren's athleticism, ball control, and strong mental toughness makes her special, and she will make our outside hitter position deeper than we've had in a while."
-Chanticleer Head Coach Jozsef Forman
"Lauren is an all-around athlete, there is nothing she cannot do on the volleyball court. From her jumping ability and power to her serve and defense, she has a good grasp for the game. She is a great addition to our team on and off the court. Her drive and dedication to athletics and academics makes her a great fit for our team. We are so excited about Lauren and cannot wait to see her blossom over her four years at Coastal."
-Chanticleer Coach Dottie Hampton
"Off the court, the Round Rock native has excelled athletically and academically. Malone is a three-year letter winner in track and field along with the 2018 High Jump District Champion. In the classroom, the future Chanticleer received the Academic Excellence Awards (2016-17) and the 2018 Academic All District 13-6A."
"Lauren is a true student of the game and is constantly putting in extra hours to learn and improve her game. She is selfless and a wonderful teammate. She is a versatile attacker that can contribute from multiple positions on the court."
-Coach Jenny Phillips, Austin Skyline Juniors (TX)
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