Mizzou Volleyball Inks Six Future Tigers on 2020 National Signing Day
11/10/2020 2:47:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers secure one of nation’s most talented incoming freshmen classes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Volleyball added six new student-athletes to its future 2021 roster Friday, as MB Kayla Burbage (Clayton, N.C.), OH Kaylee Cox (Flower Mound, Texas), DS Lauren Forbes (Springfield, Mo.), OPP Jordan Iliff (St. Louis, Mo.), S Addison Lyon (O'Fallon, Mo.) and MB Trista Strasser (Kyle, Texas) will soon make the trek to Mid-Missouri.
Cox and Forbes will enroll early to the University of Missouri this upcoming spring 2021 semester. Burbage, Iliff, Lyon and Strasser are set to join Mizzou beginning with the fall 2021 semester. All six incoming Tigers will join head coach Joshua Taylor's program as true freshmen.
Kayla Burbage // 6'2" // MB // Clayton, N.C. // Clayton HS
No. 145 overall recruit in PrepVolleyball's Class of 2021 rankings ... 2020 PrepVolleyball Senior Aces recipient … 2020 JVA All-National Team … 2019 AVCA Phenom Watch List … 2019 PrepVolleyball Top 50 Juniors … 2019 North Carolina Offensive Player of the Year … 2019 and 2018 all-conference accolades … In 2019 junior campaign, tallied 275 kills on .379 hitting and 48 total blocks (15 solo blocks) … Also shined academically, earning 2019 and 2018 academic all-conference honors … Competed for NC Volleyball Academy 17 Diamond club … Originally committed to Tennessee, picked Mizzou over Michigan State, Louisville, Arizona State and Arkansas in the recruiting process.
Coach Taylor on Kayla…
"We are very fortunate to add Kayla to our 2021 class. Although coming in as a middle, she has the ability to terminate on both pins making her incredibly versatile. She wants to be great and does not shy away from hard work. Our staff can't wait to get her in the gym!"
Kayla on joining the Tigers…
"Mizzou was an easy choice, because of its high level of volleyball and world-class coaching staff. Having the ability to develop under two former All-Americans, Coach Taylor and Coach Munlyn, was something I wanted to be a part of. Mizzou has everything I need to take me to the next level both athletically and academically."
Kaylee Cox // 6'2" // OH // Flower Mound, Texas // Flower Mound HS
No. 45 overall recruit in PrepVolleyball's Class of 2021 rankings ... 2020 Under Armour Second-Team All-America ... 2020 AVCA High School Region 4 All-Region Team … 2020 MaxPreps Preseason High School Volleyball First-Team All-American … Class of 2021 No. 3 overall outside hitter recruit per Hudl.com … 2019 AVCA Phenom list … 2019 PrepVolleyball High School All-American … 2019 MaxPreps High School Volleyball Second-Team All-American … 2019 VolleyballMag.com High School Second-Team All-American … 2019 first team all-state … 2018 PrepVolleyball All-American … 2018 PrepVolleyball Sophomore 79 recipient … 2018 The Dallas Morning News SportsDay High School Volleyball Player of the Year … Keyed Flower Mound to 2018 Class 6A state title, marking its first volleyball state championship in school history … For her career, tallied 1,300-plus kills, 1,200-plus digs, 100-plus aces and 100-plus total blocks … Competed for Texas Advantage Volleyball club … Picked Mizzou over Kansas and Oklahoma.
Coach Taylor on Kaylee…
"I don't know if I have met someone more competitive than Kaylee. She refuses to lose and never shies away from stepping up in big moments. She wants to be the best player she can be and getting to have her in the gym in January will allow our staff to help her achieve just that. She's coachable, fun to be around and will make sure to outwork everyone in the gym."
Kaylee on joining the Tigers…
"I picked Mizzou because the coaches made me feel so welcome and I fell in love with the campus. The current group of girls also made me feel like family. The program they have is one of a kind and I can't wait to get there in January!"
Lauren Forbes // 5'8" // DS // Springfield, Mo. // Kickapoo HS
2020 first team all-conference, tallying 141 digs, 95 kills and 18 aces … 2019 first team all-district and all-conference accolades, producing 102 digs, 109 kills and 25 aces … Tallied all-district and all-conference honors in all four years at Kickapoo … For her career, finished with 500-plus digs and kills and 89 aces … Led Kickapoo to undefeated conference championships all four years … Also excelled academically, producing four all-academic team accolades and member of the National Honor Society … Competed for Springfield Juniors club, playing key role into squad's four-straight appearances at nationals … Picked Mizzou over Arkansas and Illinois State.
Coach Taylor on Lauren…
"I still remember when Lauren was in my camp group back in the summer of 2018. Her athleticism and eye for the game allows her to play multiple positions in club as well as high school. Her desire to improve and willingness to put in the work is going to have a great impact on the team's culture and on-court performance. With her deciding to get her a semester early our staff can't wait to start working with her!"
Lauren on joining the Tigers…
"I chose Mizzou because of the family atmosphere. The coaches and future teammates were so welcoming and made me feel at home. After getting a feel for the coaches and the campus, I knew this was where I wanted to continue my volleyball career!"
Jordan Iliff // 6'2" // OPP // St. Louis, Mo. // Mehlville HS
No. 37 overall recruit in PrepVolleyball's Class of 2021 rankings … Top senior recruit in St. Louis per PrepVolleyball … PrepVolleyball Top 50 Junior … Two-time PrepVolleyball First-Team All-American on club circuit … Four-time first team all-district accolades and three-time first team all-conference honors with Mehlville High School … For her prep career, tallied 863 kills on .305 hitting, 102 aces, 115 total blocks and 556 digs … Ended high school career with a bang, posting 172 kills (6.00 per set) on .309 hitting, 24 aces, 13 total blocks and 101 digs … Competed with Rockwood Thunder club … Played alongside fellow Mizzou Class of 2021 signee, Addison Lyon … Picked Mizzou over Illinois, Ohio State, Purdue, UCLA and Notre Dame.
Coach Taylor on Jordan…
"We can't wait to get Jordan on campus next fall. She has carried a heavy load for her club and high school team and we are looking for her to do the same when she gets to Mizzou. She's a great teammate and will be having a huge impact on the program the moment she gets in the gym!"
Jordan on joining the Tigers…
"Mizzou has always been my dream school since seventh grade. I went to its camps for years and always loved the environment and coaches there. During the recruiting process, Josh and Molly made Mizzou feel like a second home. The campus and the college town atmosphere were exactly what I was looking for. Mizzou was always my top choice and I'm very happy with my decision!"
Addison Lyon // 5'9" // S // O'Fallon, Mo. // Living World Christian HS
No. 116 overall recruit in PrepVolleyball's Class of 2021 rankings … Named to PrepVolleyball's Top 65 Juniors, Soph 79 and Frosh 50 lists … Over four-year varsity career at Living World Christian, posted school-record 1,500-plus assists, 70-plus aces, 300-plus digs and 150-plus kills … Concluded prep career with 2020 first team all-state honors, leading Living World Christian to first-ever Class 2 state championship … Three-time all-district honoree, including first team accolades in 2020 and 2019 … Enjoyed breakout 2018 sophomore season, posting 571 assists, 24 aces, 130 digs and 45 kills … Made immediate impact in 2017 freshman campaign, tallying 569 assists, 24 aces, 125 digs and 27 kills … Competed with Rockwood Thunder club … Played alongside fellow Mizzou Class of 2021 signee, Jordan Iliff … Picked Mizzou over Iowa State and Saint Louis.
Coach Taylor on Addison…
"Addison's speed and knowledge of the game makes her incredibly successful in club and high school. Along with that, she can set the ball with tempo and great accuracy putting attackers in great situations to score. She is very coachable and a student of the game which is going to lead her to seeing success in the college game. Can't wait to get her on campus!"
Addison on joining the Tigers…
"The coaches made it feel like home and a family atmosphere. I can't wait to get up to Columbia and start my collegiate career!"
Trista Strasser // 6'4" // MB // Kyle, Texas // Jack C Hays HS
2020 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-America … 2020 AVCA High School Region 4 All-Region Team … 2020 All-VYPE Austin Preseason Public School 6A Volleyball … 2019 VIL First-Team All-District … 2018 honorable mention all-district … For her three-year varsity career at Jack C Hays, posted 389 kills and 221 total blocks (74 solo blocks) … Enjoyed breakout 2019 junior campaign, tallying 218 kills and school-record 143 total blocks (39 solo blocks) … Two-sport athlete at Jack C Hays, also starring in basketball … Earned 2019 VIL Second-Team All-District honors and 2018 first team all-district accolades … Broke the school's single-season rebounds record with 408 … Competed with Austin Juniors club … Originally committed to Texas State, picked Mizzou over UNLV, UTEP, Louisiana-Monroe, TCU, San Jose State and UT-Arlington.
Coach Taylor on Trista…
"Not only does Trista possess great size but she also has impressive speed. Her side to side movement is what caught my eye from the moment I watched her play. Her blocking is going to bring a presence to our defense that will be felt immediately upon her arrival. She is a great kid and a great teammate. The program is lucky to be adding her!"
Trista on joining the Tigers…
"I picked Mizzou because they have amazing coaches. They are super supportive and always encouraging. Another reason on why I picked them was because the current players are super nice and the University has my academic major I want to pursue!"
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