By: Sam Boender
GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Head Volleyball
Jamie Magalei unveiled the start of her 2020-21 signing class last week by adding three new Orediggers.
The trio includes Ella Martin, Lily Plaugher and Emma Smithey. All three commits show a focus on the outside with two outside hitters and a right side making up the group. Additionally, the states of Kansas, Ohio and Texas are represented which means the 2021 roster will feature nine different states. Martin, Plaugher and Smithey are all true freshman and are set to arrive in Golden in the fall of 2021.
Below is a snapshot of the incoming class.
Ella Martin / 5-10 / OH / Leawood,Kan. / Bishop Miege HS
Lily Plaugher / 5-11 / OH / Cincinnati, Ohio / Ursuline Academy
Emma Smithey / 6-1 / RS / Waxahachie, Texas / Waxahachie HS
Ella Martin – 5-10 – Outside Hitter
Leawood, Kan. – Bishop Miege HS – Pohaku
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Two-sport athlete at Bishop Miege High School in Kansas, playing soccer as a freshman and volleyball all four years … Earned three varsity letters in volleyball with First-Team All-State and Kansas 4A All-Tournament distinction in 2020 … Also earned Eastern Kansas All-League in 2020 and 2019 … As a senior in 2020, hit .257 with 213 kills, 235 digs, 56 blocks and 18 service aces … Also played goalkeeper for the soccer team for one season and raked in Kansas 4A Goalie of the Year, Kansas 4A First-Team All-State and All-Conference honors … Competed for Pohaku in club volleyball … Academically produced a 4.2 cumulative grade-point average or better in 2018, 2019 and 2020 … Selected KSHSAA First-Team Academic All-State in 2018 for volleyball … Plans to major in chemical engineering at Mines.
COACH'S COMMENT: "We are looking forward to having Ella's athleticism and competitive nature on the floor. She has a great sense of the game. That will be beneficial for her first year."
Lily Plaugher – 5-11 – Outside Hitter
Cincinnati, Ohio – Ursuline Academy – Mintonette Sports
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Earned four varsity letters playing volleyball at Ursuline Academy in Ohio … Named a 2020 AVCA Under Armour All-American at outside hitter … Also claimed First-Team All-League, First-Team All-Conference and Player of the Year Runner-Up status in 2019 … As a senior, appeared in 84 sets with 219 kills, 39 blocks and 16 digs while hitting .235 … Played club ball for Mintonette Sports M.51 and M.61 where she was placed on the 2020 JVA Watch list … Academically earned All-League status in 2018-19 and 2019-20 with Honor Roll distinction in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 … Plans to major in chemical and biochemical engineering at Mines.
COACH'S COMMENT: "Lily is a hard worker, focused player and talented outside hitter. She moves well and has great shot selection. Lily will be a great representation of student-athletes at Mines."
Emma Smithey – 6-1 – Right Side
Waxahachie, Texas – Waxahachie HS – Bandits/Texas Image
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Three-time varsity letter winner competing in volleyball at Waxahachie High School in Texas … Hit .241 playing the right side on her way to All-District honors as a sophomore and junior … Also claimed Honorable Mention All-County as a junior in 2019 … Voted most improved in her first two year on the court and named team captain her senior season … Played club ball for Bandits and for Texas Image and helped her squad to the Regional Qualifiers … Put up the Max-Preps Block of the Week and #2-ranked Hit of the Week in her senior season … Academically earned Honor Roll status as a sophomore and junior along with perfect attendance … Claimed the Trustee's Award, Superintendent Honor Roll and status as the Vice President of the National Honor Society as well.
COACH'S COMMENT: "Emma is a dynamic right side hitter. She will add depth to our offense, and a great size block for our defense. Emma is a great addition to our team and university."
Fans can keep up with Mines volleyball on Twitter at @MinesVolleyball and Instagram at @mines_volleyball. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.
