The Baylor volleyball team penned four student-athletes to national letters of intent for the 2017 class, announced by head coach Ryan McGuyre on Thursday.
The Bears add two Texans and two out-of-state signees, one each from Iowa and Connecticut. Three of the signees will join the team for the 2017 fall season, with one early enrollee on campus for the 2017 spring semester.
The class features two Under Armour High School All-Americans, with Baylor and Texas standing as the only Big 12 schools to secure two commits on the first and second teams.
“I couldn't be more excited about this 2017 class,” said second-year head coach McGuyre. “We hit a home-run in every position. We will have more names to announce later, but with the incredible student-athletes who have signed today, we add significant fire-power, skill, height, athleticism, and influential character. These student-athletes will impact every facet of the game”
This is the second full class of McGuyre’s tenure at Baylor and the most initial signings to date, with two signees, Daria Richards and Nicole Thomas, signing on National Signing Day in 2015. The class would grow to eight before the 2016 season.
Hannah Lockin
Setter, 6’1, West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley High School
Hannah Lockin signed with the Bears out of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Valley High School. Lockin is one of the nation’s top setter recruits, one of two high school All-Americans in the class. She will be an early spring enrollee, graduating from Valley in December to join the Bears on campus in January.
Lockin was named to the 2016 Under Armour All-America second team, one of two Baylor signees to make the prestigious list.
The setter carries a long list of recognitions and honors from her high school career, including All-Central Iowa Metropolitan League second team, selection to the Iowa Register All-CIML elite team, all-state first team in 5A, Iowa’s largest division, and playing on the Iowa High Performance International Team throughout her juniors career.
Lockin has excelled in the classroom as well, earning the All-CIML Academic award and recognition as a Valley Academic Letterwinner.
"Hannah Lockin adds to a great setting core and is one of the top setters in the county in this class as well,” said McGuyre. “It will be fun to have a setter that plays well above 10 feet alongside Yossi and Marieke."
Taylor Marburger
Setter/libero, 5’5, McAllen, Texas, McAllen Memorial High School
Taylor Marburger signed with Baylor out of McAllen, Texas, and McAllen Memorial High School. She is a reckless defender at the libero position, showing her versatility to play effectively from the setter’s spot as well.
Marburger has enjoyed a decorated career in the Rio Grande Valley region, helping lead McAllen Memorial to the school’s first ever state quarterfinal berth at the 6A level in 2015.
Marburger earned all-area first team honors and setter of the year in 2015, adding to a collection that included 2014 All-District first team and 2013 Freshman Newcomer of the Year.
She has stayed active in leadership roles in service and in the classroom, placed in the National Honors Society in her junior and senior years, as well as serving as a member and officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"Taylor brings a fearlessness on defense and the ability to serve bullets, dig and pass, as well as the ability to set out of the back-row," said McGuyre.
Yossiana Pressley
Outside Hitter, 5’11, Houston, Texas, Cypress Falls High School
Yossiana Pressley signed with BU out of Houston, Texas, and Cypress Falls High School. She is one of the most highly-pursued recruits in the state and among the top signees in the country, showing explosive power and athleticism from the pins.
Yossi earned a spot on the 2016 Under Armour High School All-America first team, adding to an already extensive resume. Pressley was a 2015 6A Texas All-State and All-Star selection, earning a long list of tournament and invitational MVP honors.
Pressley was named to PrepVolleyball’s 2014 Sophomore 79, 2015 Top 50 Junior Recruits, and was No. 31 in the 2017 Senior Aces top recruit rankings.
"I believe Yossi to be the best outside hitter in the great state of Texas in the 2017 class,” said McGuyre. “She brings strong offense with passing, blocking, and defense."
Marieke Van der Mark
Opposite Hitter, 6’5, Granby, Conn., Granby Memorial High School
Marieke Van der Mark signed with the Lady Bears out of Granby, Connecticut, and Granby High School. She is a long, opposite hitter that will instantly boost the height and depth of the team at the net, while adding the versatility of another lefty hitter in the gym.
A native of the Netherlands, Van der Mark has shown tremendous potential on the East Coast, playing on the 2016 New England Region Women’s Junior Team in the USA High Performance Championships.
Marieke was named to the 2016 CHSCA Volleyball Senior All-Star Team and the 2015 Connecticut Class M Volleyball first team.
"Marieke's power and size will be a consistent and reliable force," said McGuyre.
Nearing the end of McGuyre’s second season at the helm of the Baylor program, the signing class will add to an experienced and deep 2017 roster.
"Most importantly, all four of these athletes have an internal drive towards excellence,” said McGuyre. “They are relentless and never satisfied. This competitive drive, motivated by their character-driven maturity, embodies the spirit of Baylor Volleyball. I am confident they will have a significant impact upon our continued success."
The Bears still have just over two weeks left in the 2016 regular season, sitting at 19-8 overall and 7-4 in Big 12 play. BU is hoping to snap a NCAA postseason drought dating back to 2011, positioned well at No. 35 in the NCAA RPI with five matches left.
2018 Baylor Softball Signing Class
Hannah Lockin
Setter, 6’1, West Des Moines, Iowa, Valley High School
Taylor Marburger
Setter/libero, 5’5, McAllen, Texas, McAllen Memorial High School
Yossiana Pressley
Outside Hitter, 5’11, Houston, Texas, Cypress Falls High School
Marieke Van der Mark
Opposite Hitter, 6’5, Granby, Conn., Granby Memorial High School
