Volleyball Welcomes Six Newcomers
8/1/2025 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
CONWAY, S.C. -- Six newcomers join the Coastal Carolina University volleyball program when the Chanticleers open practice ahead of the 2025 season on Monday. The class includes one international student, two graduate transfers, and three prep athletes.
Elin Andersson joins the program from the Swedish club circuit, while Kibi Jae' Huggins and Becca Micelle are joining the team from the Division I ranks. Kayla Channell, Bella Loeswick, and Julia Rose Rivera make their way to CCU from the high school level.
"Each of these student-athletes brings something special to the court," CCU head coach Steve Loeswick said. "As a group, they're athletic, talented, tenacious, and versatile with an elite skill set. Together they represent a bright and competitive future for Chanticleer volleyball."
Huggins was a four-year letterman at Southeastern Louisiana University, tallying 159 kills and 73 total blocks in 58 matches played. Her junior season was halted by injury three games into the year. She returned in 2024 and averaged the most kills per set (1.14) of anyone playing fewer than 100 total sets.
Micelle spent her first three seasons at Clemson, playing in 173 sets and collecting 246 digs. As a sophomore, she helped the Tigers earn a bid to the NVIC, where they advanced to the quarterfinals. The following season, she aided Clemson in posting an ACC-best 15.85 digs per set and 1,791 total digs.
Channell was a four-time all-district performer at Gilmour Academy (Ohio). She helped her team win a pair of state championships in 2021 and 2024, recording 20 kills in the four-set 2024 triumph. She registered 850 kills and 333 blocks during her prep career, including an Ohio high school record 15 in a single postseason tournament match.
A Myrtle Beach native and daughter of the Chanticleers' head coach, Loeswick earned all-state honors as a senior. She led North Myrtle Beach High to a state championship and amassed over 550 assists, 150 digs, and 30 service aces. She was also a three-time all-district selection who finished her high school career with more than 3,000 assists.
Rivera led Gulliver Prep Academy to its first 4A Florida state high school championship in 2023, while earning First Team All-Dade County honors. As a senior in 2024, she repeated as a first-team all-county selection with 251 kills, 147 digs, and 42 blocks while leading her team back to the state championship semifinals.
Andersson is currently a member of the Swedish national team. She competed for her country at the 2024 U20 European Championship as well as the U17 and U19 North European Volleyball Zonal Association championships in 2022 and 2024.
Division I transfers Anna Rita (Austin Peay) and Anzley Rinard (Oral Roberts) joined the program during the 2025 spring semester, finalizing the total of newcomers joining the program this season at eight.
The Chanticleers will open the 2025 season against Maryland at the HTC Center on Aug. 29 after an exhibition match on the road at College of Charleston on Aug. 23.
For complete coverage of CCU volleyball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalVBall (Twitter/Instagram), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.
Elin Andersson joins the program from the Swedish club circuit, while Kibi Jae' Huggins and Becca Micelle are joining the team from the Division I ranks. Kayla Channell, Bella Loeswick, and Julia Rose Rivera make their way to CCU from the high school level.
"Each of these student-athletes brings something special to the court," CCU head coach Steve Loeswick said. "As a group, they're athletic, talented, tenacious, and versatile with an elite skill set. Together they represent a bright and competitive future for Chanticleer volleyball."
Huggins was a four-year letterman at Southeastern Louisiana University, tallying 159 kills and 73 total blocks in 58 matches played. Her junior season was halted by injury three games into the year. She returned in 2024 and averaged the most kills per set (1.14) of anyone playing fewer than 100 total sets.
Micelle spent her first three seasons at Clemson, playing in 173 sets and collecting 246 digs. As a sophomore, she helped the Tigers earn a bid to the NVIC, where they advanced to the quarterfinals. The following season, she aided Clemson in posting an ACC-best 15.85 digs per set and 1,791 total digs.
Channell was a four-time all-district performer at Gilmour Academy (Ohio). She helped her team win a pair of state championships in 2021 and 2024, recording 20 kills in the four-set 2024 triumph. She registered 850 kills and 333 blocks during her prep career, including an Ohio high school record 15 in a single postseason tournament match.
A Myrtle Beach native and daughter of the Chanticleers' head coach, Loeswick earned all-state honors as a senior. She led North Myrtle Beach High to a state championship and amassed over 550 assists, 150 digs, and 30 service aces. She was also a three-time all-district selection who finished her high school career with more than 3,000 assists.
Rivera led Gulliver Prep Academy to its first 4A Florida state high school championship in 2023, while earning First Team All-Dade County honors. As a senior in 2024, she repeated as a first-team all-county selection with 251 kills, 147 digs, and 42 blocks while leading her team back to the state championship semifinals.
Andersson is currently a member of the Swedish national team. She competed for her country at the 2024 U20 European Championship as well as the U17 and U19 North European Volleyball Zonal Association championships in 2022 and 2024.
Division I transfers Anna Rita (Austin Peay) and Anzley Rinard (Oral Roberts) joined the program during the 2025 spring semester, finalizing the total of newcomers joining the program this season at eight.
The Chanticleers will open the 2025 season against Maryland at the HTC Center on Aug. 29 after an exhibition match on the road at College of Charleston on Aug. 23.
For complete coverage of CCU volleyball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalVBall (Twitter/Instagram), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.
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