12/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball program has received signed national letters of intent for two student-athletes -- Josie Herbst and Riley Jacobs -- who will enroll at the University and be eligible to play for the Rebels during the 2016 season, head coach Cindy Fredrick announced Wednesday.
"We are very excited to have Josie and Riley join our team," said Fredrick. "Josie is one of the top players in the Midwest with honors both as an indoor and sand player. She's an explosive player who plays six rotations. She should definitely be an asset to our offensive fire. Riley is our first recruit to come in at semester. She will have the opportunity to train with us this Spring, which helps our program. She is a tall setter, so she'll be an asset both in setting and blocking. She brings a remarkable work ethic and competitive drive. They will make an immediate impact on our team."
Herbst, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, will graduate from Bettendorf High School -- the alma mater of redshirt freshman Caitlin Wernentin -- in the spring of 2016. The outside hitter helped the Bulldogs to 73 wins over the past two seasons and back-to-back runner-up finishes in the state tournament, while hitting .368 with 722 kills and 98 aces. In 2015, she had a school- and Mississippi Athletic Conference-best 385 kills (4.01 per set) with a .360 hitting efficiency, which resulted in MAC and Iowa Girls Coaches Association Class 5A Player of the Year recognition. She was also tabbed the captain of the 5A All-Tournament Team and had the opportunity to play in the Iowa/Illinois and IGCA All-Star matches.
Additionally, Herbst was a first-team honoree on the all-state, all-conference, all-metro and all-district teams during her junior and senior campaigns. As a senior, she also was recognized as a 2016 Senior Aces 150, AVCA Phenom, Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American, all-state tournament team co-captain, all-metro captain and IGCA Elite Team. Member.
Jacobs will graduate from Glendora High School in Glendora, Calif., this month and begin taking classes at UNLV in the Spring semester. The 6'1" setter led the Tartans to consecutive Palomares League championships and quarterfinalist finishes in CIF Southern Section postseason play. The team combined to win 41 games during her junior and senior seasons, the latter of which she served as a team captain. She was a two-time All-Palomares League First Team honoree and All-League Academic Athlete. In addition, she was chosen to the Inland Valley All-Star Team as well as the school's volleyball MVP. A year earlier, she was named to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune All-Area Team.
