UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley announced the complete 2023 women's volleyball recruiting class on Friday. The four-player class represents four different states.
Karis Willow, a 6-4 outside hitter from Ohio, was officially announced as a Penn State commit in November. Joining her in the class are Catherine Burke, a 6-3 middle blocker from Illinois, Kate Lally, a 5-9 setter from State College, and Joce Nathan, a 5-6 defensive specialist from Delaware.
"I am very excited about our 2023 class," Schumacher-Cawley said. "As we have gotten to know each of these young women better through their unique recruiting processes, we have found that they each will bring something special to the program. I expect Karis, Joce, Catherine and Kate to be great teammate, and to work hard in all facets of our program, including on the court, in the classroom and in the community. I am looking forward to their arrival on campus and integrating them into the Penn State culture and community."
The four players are set to join a Penn State team that finished 26-8 and advanced to its 42nd consecutive NCAA Tournament in Schumacher-Cawley's first season as head coach in Happy Valley.
Below is a closer look at each incoming player:
CATHERINE BURKE
6-3, middle blocker
Glenview, Ill./Loyola Academy
High School
Ranked as the No. 86 recruit overall and No. 4 in Illinois by Prep Dig…Played four years at Loyola Academy and earned the AVCA Best and Brightest Award…Played three years of club with Wildcat Juniors and three with Adversity VBC.
Personal
Parents are Jim and Erin Burke…Father played lacrosse at Colby College…Has one older brother, Jack, who played hockey at Navy, one older sister Annabelle, who plays lacrosse at Michigan, and three younger sisters: Emma, Nora, and Lily…Enjoys cooking, hanging out with family and friends, and yoga…Intends to major in business.
KATE LALLY
5-9, setter
State College, Pa./State College
High School
Was an all-state selection her senior season playing for State College High School…Earned Mid-Penn Co-MVP of the Year recognition her senior season…Received two first-team Mid-Penn awards and was a two-time PA Division Six All-Star selection…Was twice named her team's Offensive Player of the Year…Was a two-year team captain and helped State College win four District 6 titles…Played two years with Fusion Volleyball Club.
Personal
Parents are Rich and Trish Lally…Father earned a PhD at Penn State…Has younger twin sisters, Emma and Brynn…Enjoys music, traveling and spending time with friends... Intends to major in business or psychology.
JOCE NATHAN
5-6, defensive specialist
Wilmington, Del./Wilmington Friends School
High School
Was a three-time all-state selection, including two first-team honors, while playing five seasons of varsity at Wilmington Friends School…Earned five first-team all-conference awards…Finished career with 1,562 digs, 275 aces, and 417 assists…Was an AVCA third-team All-American and an AVCA all-region honoree…Received the AVCA Best and Brightest Award…Played seven years with Brandywine Volleyball Club and four years with East Coast Power Club.
Personal
Parents are Len and Lynne Nathan…Both parents participated in sports at Swarthmore College, with father playing soccer and volleyball and mother playing soccer…Has two older sisters, Alyssa and Dani…Alyssa played volleyball at Swarthmore…Dani plays volleyball at James Madison…Enjoys baking, walking her dog, reading, photography, and art…Volunteers with Special Olympics…Intends to major in psychology and business.
KARIS WILLOW
6-4, outside hitter
Arlington, Ohio/Liberty Benton
High School
Ranked as the 58th best recruit in the class by PrepVolleyball.com…Was a three-time all-state selection, including two times on the first team, while playing four seasons at Liberty Benton High School…Was twice named the District 8 Player of the Year and also the conference Player of the Year…Earned three all-district honors and four all-conference awards…Finished career with 1,377 kills, 833 digs, 199 blocks, 164 aces, and a .419 hitting percentage…Led team to two Ohio state titles, one district championship, and a four-year record of 102-11…Played three years of club with Black Swamp, two years with Impact VBC and most recent year with Elite VBTC…Also competed in four years of varsity track and field, where she was all-state in the high jump, and one year of varsity basketball.
Personal
Parents are Thomas and Anita Willow…Both parents participated in sports at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, with her father playing basketball and her mother playing basketball and volleyball…Has one older brother, Nathan, one younger brother, Calvin, and three older sisters: Alyssa, Lauren, and Hannah…Alyssa played volleyball at Grace College, Lauren played volleyball and track and field at Cedarville University, Hannah played volleyball and track and field at Cedarville University, and Nathan was on the track and field team at Bluffton University…Enjoys crocheting and baking…Owns her own cupcake business…Intends to major in education.
