Rockets Add Three for 2020 on National Signing Day
11/13/2019 3:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
TOLEDO, Ohio— The University of Toledo volleyball program announced its 2020-21 recruiting class on Wednesday. Taylor Alt (Ottawa, Ohio), Claire Eiden (Ottawa, Ohio), and Payton Morman (Bowling Green, Ohio) will all be joining the Rockets for the 2020 season.
"This 2020 class marks an exciting time for Toledo Volleyball," head coach Jason Oliver said. "Getting such talented local players to stay close to home and play for this program marks a turn that will be great for the future. Taylor, Claire, and Payton all possess the skills, character, and drive that it takes to be successful student-athletes. I am really looking forward to coaching them and seeing them develop into champions."
The following is a brief look at each of the signees:
Taylor Alt | Outside Hitter | Ottawa-Glandorf
A four-year starter at outside hitter at Ottawa-Glandorf High School, Alt was named Western Buckeye League (WBL) Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. She is a two-time all-conference and all-district performer and also earned OHSAA District 8 Co-Player of the Year honors in 2018. Alt tallied 1,170 kills and hit .368 during her career and led Ottawa-Glandorf to an OHSAA Division III Regional Final appearance in 2019. She is a high school teammate of 2020 signee Claire Eiden.
Coach Oliver on Taylor: "She will bring a physical presence to our team that we haven't had in the past. She plays the game with power, a big jump and a great technical understanding. She comes from a tight-knit community and a great hard-working family. She will push our team to new levels with her all-around ball control skills and mental focus. Taylor was a player that we targeted from the very first day I started here, and it was great for her to fall in love with Toledo and the vision we have for the program."
Claire Eiden | Defensive Specialist | Ottawa-Glandorf
Playing alongside fellow future Rocket Taylor Alt, Eiden was a four-year letterwinner at Ottawa-Glandorf High School. She earned First-Team All-WBL and First-Team OHSAA District 8 honors in 2018 and 2019. Eiden recorded a school-record 1,253 digs during her career and averaged 4.2 digs/set across her four seasons at Ottawa-Glandorf. The two-time team captain and two-time All-Ohio recipient helped lead her team to an OHSAA Division III Regional Final appearance in 2019.
Coach Oliver on Claire: "Claire is another great athlete that will bring a high volleyball IQ and outstanding skill set. She is quick, decisive, and has the technique to make a ton of plays in the back row. She will have a big impact in our everyday competition in practice and our overall mentality on the floor. I love that she comes from an area where they value hard work and dedication to the sport. She comes from a hard-working family, and I am sure that will come out in her play here at Toledo. She is not only a great fit for the University, but she epitomizes the type of student-athlete I want in this program."
Payton Morman | Setter | St. Ursula Academy
Morman comes to Toledo after a successful high school career at St. Ursula Academy. The three-year letterwinner helped her team to a 2019 OHSAA Division I Regional Final appearance as a senior. She was named second-team all-conference and all-district this past season, averaging 11.2 assists/set as the team's starting setter. For her career, Morman averaged 9.1 assists/set and 2.7 digs/set at St. Ursula. She helped her team capture the 2019 Three Rivers Athletic Conference title this past season in a three-set sweep.
Coach Oliver on Payton: "Payton comes from a great high school program at St. Ursula and has been around great coaches her entire playing career. When you match that background with her high-quality character and great family, I think that you have a player that will really help grow our program. She is new to the setting position but has a true love for the game. I think Toledo is a perfect place for Payton to grow as a setter and a playmaker. She has great ball control and an athletic presence on the floor. I am excited to see how she grows as a setter at the collegiate level."
