The Valpo volleyball program will welcome a talented quintet of incoming freshmen for the 2024 campaign, as five players signed during November’s signing period to join the Beacons — including a pair of AVCA All-Americans.

“We are very excited about our 2024 recruiting class,” head coach Carin Avery said. “We are bringing in five very talented athletes who add some much-needed attacking depth to our program. All five of them are extremely competitive and know how to win, which was a priority for us with this recruiting class. I’m super excited to see them compete in the Valley!”

Kadence Brumitt – 5’9” – OH – Niles, Mich. – Brandywine H.S.

Brumitt has earned All-State honors on multiple occasions playing for the Bobcats. Also a three-time All-Region and a four-time All-Conference selection, Brumitt surpassed 1,600 kills for her prep career this year as a senior.

Avery on Brumitt: “Just like our previous local left-side recruits, Kadence is a little undersized. But she has a wicked arm swing and is highly competitive, which gives her a super-high ceiling.”

Drew Glaser – 6’0” – RS – Edwardsburg, Mich. – Edwardsburg H.S.

Glaser has earned All-State accolades each of the last two years, receiving First Team honors this season and Second Team honors as a junior. Also a two-time All-Region and conference Player of the Year, Glaser was a Michigan Miss Volleyball nominee this year and led her team to conference, district and regional titles and a berth in the state Elite Eight — the second time in her career Edwardsburg won conference, district and regional championships — as she hit .400 with 508 kills on the season. She was named to Prep Dig’s mid-season Michigan Top-10 Senior Hitters list and was recognized as a district finals standout.

Avery on Glaser: “I’m so excited to bring in Drew and have a lefty playing right side in our program. Her arm and her range as an attacker give her the ability to hit every shot in the book, which makes her hard to contain.”

Jordyn Gove – 6’0” – OH – Amarillo, Texas – Randall H.S.

Gove has been a key member of one of Texas’ top prep programs the last few years, helping lead Randall to the Class 4A state title match this season after the Lady Raiders won the Texas 4A State Championship her junior year. Gove has been named to the state All-Tournament Team each of the last two years, including being named Tournament MVP in the 2022 championship season. She was an All-State selection as well as a junior and was named District MVP after previously earning All-District honors as a sophomore in 2021. She racked up 691 kills and 421 digs this season, closing her prep career with 1,789 kills and 1,566 digs.

Avery on Gove: “Jordyn is a feisty competitor who just knows how to win. She has a wide range of tools in her arsenal as a left-side attacker.”

Ava Helming – 6’0” – OH/RS – Johnston, Iowa – Johnston H.S.

Helming was recognized as an AVCA Second Team All-American this season, ranking her among the top-100 seniors in the nation, and was an AVCA All-Region selection as well. She was a First Team All-State honoree as a senior after leading all Iowa Class 5A players with 481 total kills, leading Johnston to a state tournament berth for the second time in her career. A Second Team All-State choice as a junior, Helming has been named to the 5A West All-District Team each of the last two years and was selected to play in Iowa’s Senior All-Star match this season.

Avery on Helming: “Ava can play either pin for us. She is a terminal attacker — her heavy arm and her ability to get kills will make her a valuable asset offensively.”

Lilly Merk – 6’0” – OH/MH – Terre Haute, Ind. – Terre Haute South Vigo H.S.

Merk was named an AVCA Third Team All-American this season, ranking her among the top-150 seniors in the nation, and was an AVCA All-Region choice as well. She earned a spot on the Indiana Senior All-Star team this season, following up on her Indiana Junior All-Star team selection last year. Owner of over 1,000 career kills for the Braves, Merk earned First Team All-Conference honors in each of her final three seasons and helped her team claim three conference titles. Playing her club volleyball for Circle City, Merk was part of a team which finished last year ranked fifth nationally.

Avery on Merk: “Lilly is an extremely good athlete — her ability to attack and play any position on the court is going to make her an impactful player in the Valley.”