Radford University head women’s volleyball coach Marci Byers has announced that five outstanding prep student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Highlander program next fall. Setter Login Williams (Hough/Davidson, NC), outside hitter Morgan Lawson (Salesian College Prep/San Pablo, Ca.), outside hitter/middle hitter Hailey Flowers (Eureka/Eureka, Ill.), middle/right-side hitter Daria Burrows (Princess Anne/Virginia Beach, Va.) and middle/outside hitter Mackenzie Meehan (Arundel/Crofton, Md.) will all suit up for Radford in 2019.
The 5-foot-8 Williams was the 2018 MECKA 4A Conference Player of the Year and helped lead the Hough Huskies to a combined record of 93-24 over her four-year career. Williams, who holds a near flawless 3.9 grade point average, distributed a school-record 1,748 assists and also added 127 service aces, 338 digs and 194 kills during her career.
In 2017, Hough captured a regional championship and was the state runner-up, which resulted in Williams being named to the MECKA All-Conference Team. The Huskies also reached the state semifinals in 2015 during her freshman campaign. This past season, Williams was selected to the All-Observer First Team and was named to the AVCA Under Armour All-America Watch List. She also was the captain of the Carolina Juniors and helped lead the team to a fifth-place finish at the AAU National Tournament (Premier Division).
“Login is a solid addition for us at the setter position!” Byers said. “She will give us some depth and flexibility, as she is capable of running a good tempo ball to both pins and to the middle. She is very athletic and has a high volleyball IQ.”
The 5-foot-10 Lawson helped lead the Salesian College Prep Pride to a league championship and 21-5 record in 2018. She was named the Most Valuable Player of her league and was a First Team selection after compiling 234 kills, 220 digs and 89 blocks. Lawson also earned First Team honors as a sophomore and junior after receiving Second Team honors as a freshman.
“Morgan comes from very solid high school and Club (Absolute) programs in California,” Byers stated. “She plays high above the net and has a great fast arm. She will redshirt the 2019 season but look for her to make an immediate impact in 2020!”
Flowers was a four-year starter at Eureka and helped lead the Hornets to a combined record of 125-26 over her career. The 6-foot-0 honors society student (3.65 GPA), helped lead the Hornets to the 2016 Illinois 2A State Championships as a sophomore. Eureka captured the regional championship all four years of her tenure and won the section her last three years. The Hornets also made the Elite 8 in 2017 and 2018.
This past season, Flowers was named the 2018 Journal Star Player of the Year and was a First Team Heart of Illinois Conference, First Team Peoria Journal Star All Area Team and First Team Pantagraph All Regional Team pick. She was also the MaxPrepsAVCA Player of the Week in Illinois on September 24, 2018. Flowers finished her standout career with 1,083 kills, 220 block assists and 44 solo blocks. Flowers played for the Illinois Elite Volleyball Club and helped lead the squad to a third-place AAU National Tournament (17U) finish in 2017.
“Hailey is another incomer that hails from a solid club program in Illini Elite of out of Illinois,” Byers explained. “Her 6′ foot frame will give us some much-needed depth on the left pin. She is quick, athletic and hits great angles. Her extensive background playing at the Open level during club should help her transition to the Division I level.”
The 5-foot-10 Burrows helped lead Princess Anne to a spectacular 116-9 combined record during her four-year career. This past season, the Cavaliers went a perfect 29-0 and won the state championships. Burrows also helped lead the program to the state championship in 2016 as a sophomore. Burrows, who compiled 329 kills (.322 hitting percentage) and 160 blocks in 2018, was a First Team All-Region pick this past season as well as a Second Team All-Tidewater selection. She also earned Second Team All-Region accolades in 2017.
“Daria is a great in state pick up for us as she has experience playing multiple positions,” Byers exclaimed. “Her versatility accompanied with her explosiveness helps her be a solid blocker and attacker at all angles and for any type of set.”
The 6-foot-1 Meehan helped lead Arundel to the 4A Regional Finals this past season as the team finished 16-3. The Wildcats also went to the state semifinals in her sophomore season and the state finals in 2017. Meehan, who owns a 3.63 grade point average, was a Capital Gazette First Team selection this past year and was also named to the Baltimore Sun All Metropolitan First Team. She was also a Washington Post All-Met Honorable mention pick in 2017 and earned Anne Arundel County First Team honors the past three years. Meehan totaled 118 service aces, 574 kills and 160 blocks during her four-year career.
“Mack also comes from a high-level volleyball club in Metro American in the DC area, said Byers. “She has played all three front row positions throughout her career, so look for her to continue that trend here at Radford. She plays above the net and has an infectious personality on the court that is easy to follow. Her extensive play on the court at the Open Club level will also benefit her at the Division I level.”
The group will join two transfers, 5-foot-10 outside hitter Morgan Goodman (Lewis University/Cedar Hill, Missouri) and 5-foot-11 setter Madison Lentz (Oakland University/Louisville, Kentucky), who will join the Highlander program this spring.
Radford (22-7, 12-4) finished second in the regular-season conference standings and was the runner-up in the Big South Tournament. The program won their first major postseason match as they bested Appalachian State in the opening round of the National Women’s Volleyball Championship.
–RU Athletics