The Missouri volleyball team is getting ready to swing into another season in the Southeastern Conference with plenty of new talent.

Freshmen Andie Hanus from Omaha, Nebraska; Riley Sents from Grundy Center, Iowa; and Kayla Caffey from Chicago are key players who are going to make an impact on the program. All three freshmen have already acquired many awards and recognitions in their hometowns, and are off to a great start with their new college careers here at Missouri.

Hanus, a defensive specialist, was a four-year letter winner for Marian High School, claiming three consecutive class A state titles. She was recognized for her outstanding ability as a defender, being named to PrepVolleyball’s “Defensive Dandy” award list for the country’s top defensive players.

“I had a long recruitment process that started at a young age, and Mizzou was there from the start,” Hanus said. “The program has such a family environment and great chemistry.”

Hanus had a good performance in the Black and Gold Match scrimmage, collecting six digs during her first game in a Mizzou jersey.

“I’m most excited about home games. We have a large fan base, and I can’t wait to play in the SEC,” she said.

Mizzou also gained Sents, another highly recognized defensive specialist. She attended Grundy Center High School, where she won conference titles and claimed conference player of the year honors as a junior. She was also named the 2013 Times-Republican all-area volleyball player of the year.

“I’m excited to have a great time with the team and chase an SEC championship,” Sents said. “The team puts in hard work day in and day out, we go into practices with great attitudes and energy.”

Sents tied Hanus with six digs — the most on the team — during the Black and Gold scrimmage.

The third freshman, Kayla Caffey, is a middle blocker who attended school at Mother McAuley High School. She has earned titles such as Chicago Tribune Player of the Year, and she won a state championship for her school in 2013. Caffey was recognized nationally after she was named to the USA Women’s Volleyball Junior National A2 Team.

“I’m not really nervous, I don’t get very jittery, I’m very composed and excited,” she said. “The team is strong because we have a lot of strategy, we communicate and push each other.”

In her first appearance on the Mizzou court, she dominated with a high of ten kills for the black team in the Black and Gold scrimmage.

The freshman have quickly adapted to their new home in Missouri and are getting along with their new teammates and coaches.

“I look up to [senior outside hitter] Carly Kan because she is a leader, works hard and sets a great example,” Hanus said.

Riley Sents agreed.

“Carly Kan is a great leader and helps me with things on and off the court,” she said.

After several practices and meetings over the summer, the players are ready to take on a new season in their new environment.

“Mizzou has such a large family atmosphere, and the girls on the team are nice and make me feel at home,” Caffey said.

All three freshmen are ready to use their talent to help their team achieve a victorious season. This year, the Tigers are facing tough teams in the SEC, including No. 24 Kentucky, No. 16 Texas A&M and No. 10 Florida. Having this group of freshmen only makes the volleyball team stronger, as the Tigers look to beat tough opponents and chase after an SEC title.

_Edited by Theo DeRosa | tderosa@themaneater.com_