INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy volleyball program and head coach Jason Reed announced the addition of four incoming student-athletes for the 2020 season on Monday afternoon. Three of the four players were recently named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region 5 team, while one received the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award last week at the state championships.
 
Lauren Cullison stays in the Indianapolis area for her collegiate career, choosing UIndy after attending Southport High School as a prep. Cullison will be attending UIndy this coming spring.
 
"She's a great athlete with some great size," said Reed. "She'll compete as a pin hitter in our gym."
 
Cullison was recently named an AVCA All-Region player after setting new Southport records with 511 kills and 63 service aces this fall. She attacked at a .375 clip, while also chipping in 285 digs defensively.
 
Reed continued, "She's also played some middle and right side, so that will provide some opportunities to do some neat things in serve receive."
 
Overall, Cullison scored 1,204 kills at Southport, including 628 digs, 150 blocks and 128 service aces.
 
Gracie King wrapped up a highly successful prep career this fall at Pendleton Heights northeast of Indianapolis. The 6-2 right-side hitter was named All-County before earning AVCA All-Region honors after her senior season.
 
"Gracie is going to add a tremendous block and give us the ability to do some different things behind the setter," Reed said of the right side. "She has the ability to run slides, and will run some first tempo sets for us in serve receive."
 
King totaled 903 kills at Pendleton Heights, including 294 on .404 hitting as a senior. She led the Arabians to back-to-back 20-win seasons, while registering a career-high 313 kills as a junior.
 
"We're really excited, and think Gracie will add a really challenging for our opponents," Reed concluded.
 
Ashlyn Meyer chooses UIndy after contributing to 84 wins over the last three seasons at Angola High School. The 6-1 outside hitter was named an IHSVCA Second-Team All-State player, as well as an AVCA All-Region selection after registering 339 kills on .321 hitting this past fall.
 
"Ashlyn is a long outside hitter with huge upside," Reed said of the signee. "She is a very intelligent player and fits perfectly in our system."
 
Meyer totaled 681 kills during her time as a Hornet, while also tallying 151 digs and 49 blocks as a senior. Meyer has also been honored as a student, earning National Honor Society distinction twice and honor roll status all four years at Angola.
 
"She's grown tremendously in the last year as we watched her develop," said Reed. "She's another athlete we could see playing either pin due to her size and blocking abilities."
 
Hannah Sabotin rounds out the early-signing class for UIndy, traveling north from Columbus to the Circle City. Sabotin finished an incredible prep career with the IHSAA Class 1A Mental Attitude award after Trinity Lutheran capped its season as the state runner-ups.
 
"Hannah is a dynamic athlete with a great nose for the ball on defense," Reed said of the middle. "She's very quick laterally and has the ability to close the block in more challenging situations."
 
Sabotin racked up 1,164 career kills at Trinity Lutheran on .379 hitting, while adding 558 digs, 320 blocks and 94 service aces. The Cougars won at least 20 matches three times while she played, including 30 this past fall.
 
"She's another cerebral athlete who will do really well in our system and compete with us immediately," finished Reed.
 
UIndy earned its 20th straight trip to the GLVC Championship Tournament this coming weekend, and will begin action on Friday.