Caleigh Barhorst and Rhyen Neal to Join Rockets’ Program in 2017

      TOLEDO, Ohio - Head Coach Greg Smith announced today that outside hitters Caleigh Barhorst (Fort Loramie, Ohio) and Rhyen Neal (Yorktown, Ind.) will join the Toledo volleyball program at the start of the 2017-18 academic year. The duo will join Chloee Kleespies (Lincoln University, PA) and Emma Swope (Fredericksburg, VA) as part of the Rockets' incoming recruiting class.

     "We are thrilled to be adding both Caleigh and Rhyen to our program," Smith said. "They are both tremendous all-around performers who have enjoyed a lot of success on the prep and club level. We feel that when you combine Caleigh and Rhyen with our fall signees, Chloee and Emma, we will have a recruiting class that can make a difference right away."

     A 6-foot-0 outside hitter, Barhorst posted a .287 attack percentage to go along with 428 kills and 284 digs as a senior at Fort Loramie High School. She earned first-team all-state, all-district and all-county honors in addition to being the Redskins' Most Valuable Player and Best Offensive Player as a junior and senior after being part of a state championship squad as a sophomore. Barhorst, who received All-American honors at AAU Nationals playing for Toledo Premier Academy and plans on majoring in exercise science, surpassed the 1,000-kill mark and broke school record for most service aces during her prep career.

     "Caleigh is a six-rotation player who has a great volleyball IQ," Smith said. "She possesses the offensive skill set you need to be successful and also is a strong defensive performer as well."

     Neal, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter/defensive specialist, posted 166 kills, 300 digs and a .214 attack percentage as a senior at Yorktown High School after tallying 254 kills, 188 digs and a .161 hitting mark as a junior. She helped the Tigers capture a state championship last fall after being a part of the schools' runner-up showing in 2015. Neal also received All-American accolades at the AAU Nationals for Asics Munciana in 2014 and 2015 and her team's MVP in 2015.

     "Rhyen was an important contributor for very successful high school and club teams," Smith said. "She will likely fill the very important role of libero or defensive specialist for us but can also contribute as an attacker if we need her to."

Caleigh Barhorst and Rhyen Neal to Join Rockets’ Program in 2017

Players Mentioned

Chloee Kleespies

Emma Swope

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