Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University head volleyball coach Shelton Collier has announced the signing of five student-athletes who have committed to play volleyball at Wingate University beginning in the fall of 2022. Wingate welcomes libero Maddie Hoffman (Fenton, Mo.), middle blocker Sydney Morland (Colorado Springs, Colo.), defensive specialist Meagan Mowrey (Denver, N.C.), setter Clare Sheedy (Plymouth, Ind.) and outside hitter Maya Walker (Fleming Island, Fla.).

"I believe this recruiting class has the potential to be one of the best classes we have ever had here at Wingate, and that says a lot about this group," Collier says. "Each of these players has the ability and potential to help us to continue to win championships here and I would expect several of them to earn significant individual awards during their careers here. We are signing a top setter, a highly-skilled outside hitter, a dynamic middle hitter, and two high-level defensive players, and we are excited about having this group with us in the fall."

Clare Sheedy
6-0 Setter
Plymouth, Ind.
Plymouth HS / The Academy of Boilers Junior Club

Sheedy is a star two-sport athlete in volleyball and basketball at Plymouth High school. She has handed out over 2,000 career assists in leading the team as an all-conference player to the NLC Championship. Sheedy was selected as Indiana High School Academic All-State and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plays club volleyball for Purdue-affiliated Academy of Boilers Juniors.

COLLIER ON SHEEDY:
"Clare has the ability and potential to be a high-level setter here right away as well as in the future at Wingate. She is strong, tall, physical and highly motivated, and we are excited about building the future of our program around her as our future setter."

WHY CLARE CHOSE WINGATE:
"I chose Wingate for a variety of reasons, the first and foremost being the tradition of success their volleyball program represents. Wingate was also a great fit for me academically and I can't wait to spend the next four years here."

Maddie Hoffman 
5-7 Libero   
Fenton, Mo.
Cor Jesu Academy / Rockwood Thunder Club Volleyball

Hoffman just led her team to the Missouri Class 5 state championship, where she collected her 1,000th dig. It was Cor Jesu's first state title in 19 years. She was voted to Missouri All-State Team and was listed as an AVCA phenom and on the AVCA All American watch list. Hoffman earned Academic All-State and High Academic Honors in her career. 

COLLIER ON HOFFMAN:
"Maddie is truly one of the most gifted and talented defensive players we saw in club tournaments all across the country this past season. She has received national recognition as a high-level libero and has exceptional skills and a highly-competitive personality."

WHY MADDIE COSE WINGATE:
"I chose Wingate because right away I knew this place would be my future home. As soon
as I stepped on campus, I realized the people and atmosphere around are like no other
place. I know these girls are not only going to be my future teammates, but also my
future best friends and family. I cannot wait until Fall of 2022 to start my journey here!!!"

Meagan Mowrey 
5-4 Defensive specialist     
Denver, NC
North Lincoln HS / Carolina Juniors Volleyball Club

Mowrey was voted the Best Defender and Best Server at the Capitol Hill Classic. She led her team to a second-place finish at the Capitol Hill Classic. Mowrey was the first player in North Lincoln's volleyball program to reach 1,000 digs. She was the team captain and was named the team's Most Valuable Player. She earned first team all-conference honors in 2020 and 2021. Mowrey has a black belt in Tang Soo Do. Her father Randy was the fire Chief who supervised Collier's wife while she was a captain on the Charlotte Fire Department.

COLLIER ON MOWREY:
"We are pleased to be adding a local North Carolina player in Meagan, and I am so impressed with her determination, motivation and work ethic. She will be a great addition as a player and we will enjoy having a player who has wanted to come and play at Wingate for many years."

WHY MEAGAN CHOSE WINGATE:
"Ever since I wanted to play collegiate volleyball, Wingate has been my top choice. Along with the competitiveness and talent of the volleyball team, Wingate also provides amazing academic opportunities. Coach Collier and Coach Tekavec are amazing coaches with lots of combined knowledge in the sport of volleyball. I am so excited to have them as my coaches and to play with this team for the next 4 years!"

Maya Walker 
5-11 Outside Hitter
Fleming Island, Fla. 
Fleming Island HS / Jacksonville Juniors VB Club

Walker was the outside hitter on 2016 USAV national championship team, and the third-place team at USAV nationals in 2017. She was selected as an AVCA Phenom and named to the 2019 Preseason Volleyball Watch List. Walker led her Fleming High School team to regional championship and Elite Eight appearance. She was named first team Jacksonville All-County. She played for Team Florida High Performance Team.

COLLIER ON WALKER:
"Maya is a strong and physical attacker and is also a skilled all-around player with a complete game. She has a competitive outgoing personality, and we anticipate her making an impact here right away as a freshman, and I am confident that she will have an exceptional career here."

WHY MAYA CHOSE WINGATE:
"Walker I chose Wingate University because it felt like home as soon as I stepped on campus. The girls on the team were so welcoming and I can't wait to join this team next fall."

Sydney Morland     
6-0 Middle hitter
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Cheyenne Mountain HS / Colorado Juniors Club

Morland helped her 17s Colorado Juniors Club Team place first at 2021 Colorado Crossroads USA division qualifier. They also placed first at 2021 Colorado Crossroads USA division qualifier. Her high school volleyball team played in State 4A semifinals in her junior season. She was also named High School Gazette Preps Volleyball All-Stars First Team that season. Morland is on the 2021 AVCA All-American Watch List. She was also named to the Colorado High School All-Academic Team.

COLLIER ON MORLAND:
"I am really impressed with Syd in terms of her potential to be a high-level middle hitter and blocker here for us. She has an impressive vertical jump and is an explosive attacker, and we are confident that she will have an opportunity to have an immediate role here as a freshman."

WHY SYDNEY CHOSE WINGATE:
"I knew I wanted to join Wingate's volleyball family from the moment I stepped off campus after my official visit. It is a wonderful program full of amazing people and I am more than thrilled to join them next year."

The incoming class will be joining a Wingate program that has been one of the most successful teams in college volleyball for over a decade. The Bulldogs are 438-42 overall since the start of the 2007 season, going 259-17 in league play. The 'Dogs have ranked in the top 10 nationally in winning percentage each of the last 15 seasons, leading the nation in the category four times including the 2018 season. The 'Dogs have piled up 14 regular season SAC titles and 12 SAC Tournament championships since 2006, adding five NCAA Southeast Region titles over the last 10 years. With two matches remaining this season, the Bulldogs have a chance to clinch their 15th regular season SAC title in the last 16 years.