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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Head coach Alexa Keckler and the volleyball program have announced five incoming first-years of the Class of 2026 and a transfer, six from six different states ahead of the start of the 2022 season this August.
The brand-new group includes a variety of positions including setters, outside hitters, middle blockers and right-side hitters.
The 2022 Mountain Hawks will now have five first-years, five sophomores and five juniors on the roster for the impending campaign.
“We are extremely delighted to welcome this amazing group of talented young women this fall,” said Keckler. “Each one of them embraces the culture, work ethic and mindset needed to impact our program and help make a mark in the Patriot League.”
Arden Below – S/RS – 6-0 – Springfield, Mo. – Springfield Central – Static Volleyball Club
In 2021…Class 5 All-State selection…First Team All-Conference selection…First Team All-District…AVCA All-American Watch List…AVCA All-Region Team…Academic All-American Award…Four-time Academic All-State selection …AVCA Best and Brightest Award…Four-year member of Principal’s Honor Roll at Springfield Central, earning the Academic Letter of Excellence all four years.
Coach Keckler on Arden: “Arden will be a great addition to our team as it relates to offense and work ethic. She is a long-time beach and indoor player and we excited to see her impact in our gym.”
Drew Brown – OH/DS – 5-10 – Charlotte, NC – Gaston Day School – Carolina UVC
Five-time All-Conference pick…Four-time All-State player…2021-22 NCISAA State Champion…Member of 2021 Nations Ford All-Tournament Team and Dorman Tournament of Champions All-Tournament team…2020 MaxPreps Player of the Week – State of NC (Oct. 12-18)…2020 AVCA Phenom Watch List…2019 Burns Invitational All-Tournament team…Member of National Honor Society…David Gross Award winner for athletic and academic excellence.
Coach Keckler on Drew: “Drew is an all-around talented athlete. She will bring consistency in our defense and serve receive as well as bring such positive energy to the court and our culture.”
Kati Kaburov – OH – 6-0 – Arlington Heights, Ill. – Hersey (Boston College) – Sports Performance
Comes to Lehigh after two seasons at Boston College…Four-year player at John Hershey High School…led team with 418 kills and hit .328 in 2019…posted 420 kills, while hitting .353, and added 252 digs in 2018…tallied a career-best 322 digs and knocked down 326 kills as a sophomore in 2017…helped team to three regional titles and two league championships…played club for Sports Performance…member of the National Honors Society.
Coach Keckler on Kati: “We are excited to welcome Kati into our program. Kati brings great ball control and a remarkable work ethic. This spring she connected very well to our team and was a strong point scorer in our spring contests.”
Natalie Luscomb – RS – 6-0 – Annapolis, Md. – Broadneck – Metro Volleyball Club
In 2021…named First Team All-County and First Team All-Metro…Regular season conference champions at Broadneck and County finalists…In 2019…First Team All-County and First Team All-Metro…County Champions and 4A State Finalists… In 2018…Second Team All-County selection.
Coach Keckler on Natalie: “Natalie is a fantastic blocker, strong attacker and driven student-athlete. She has been a significant contributor to her club volleyball program and we are excited for her to bring that same level of play to our gym.”
Dakota Hartman – OH – 6-0 – Decatur, Texas – Decatur – Tejas Volleyball Club
In 2021…TSWA (Texas Sports Writer Association) 4A First Team…Wise County Blocker of the Year….District Co-MVP…TGCA 4A All-State honoree…All-State Tournament…Won 4A State Championship with Decatur…In 2020…Wise County Blocker of the Year…TGCA 4A All-State….Co-Offensive Player of the Year award…First Team All-District…Texas 4A State Championship…In 2019…Co-Offensive Player of the Year award…Second Team All-District selection…In 2018…Won Texas 4A State Title with Decatur…Ranked 29th overall and 11th best middle blocker by Prep Dig Texas in Class of 2022…In the classroom…Four-time Academic All-District Selection and TGCA Academic All-State selection for basketball.
Coach Keckler on Dakota: “Dakota is such a ball of energy and strong competitor. She will bring power offensively as well as a challenging blocker. Kota will be an exciting bonus to our team.”
Madison McCartney – MB – 6-0 – Arlington, Va. – Yorktown – Virginia Elite
In 2021…First Team All-District and Second Team All-Region…Yorktown High School MVP…In 2020…named to JVA Watch List, PrepVolleyball Watch List and AVCA Phenom List…Second Team All-Conference and Coaches Award winner…In 2019… JVA Watch List and Most Improved Player award.
Coach Keckler on Madison: “Madison is a truly amazing worker on the court in the middle. She is a strong communicator and teammate. Her positive energy and excitement to grow will make her a fantastic addition to the team.”
Lehigh Volleyball Class of 2026
| Surname | position | Hometown/High School | Club |
| Arden Below | S/RS | Springfield, Mo./Springfield Central | Static Volleyball Club |
| Drew Brown | OH/DS | Charlotte, NC/Gaston Day School | Carolina UVC |
| Natalie Luscomb | RS | Annapolis, Md./Broadneck | Metro Volleyball Club |
| Dakota Hartman | OH | Decatur, Texas/Decatur | Tejas Volleyball Club |
| Madison McCartney | MB | Arlington, Va./Yorktown | Virginia Elite |
Lehigh Volleyball Class of 2024
| Surname | position | Hometown/High School/Previous School | Club |
| Katy Kaburov | OH | Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey/Boston College | sports performance |
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