BATON ROUGE – In the midst of the 2018 season, LSU head volleyball coach Fran Flory and the Tigers announced the additions of four during the 2018 Signing Day Period. The class will be freshman in the fall of 2019.
The Tigers signed Anita Anwusi (Houston, Texas), Karli Rose (Tomball, Texas), Samarah Hill (Oviedo, Florida) and Allee Morris (Covington, La.).
“This will be a special class for our program,” said head coach Fran Flory. “The level of athleticism along with the volleyball experience they bring will set them apart. The size of the class in numbers is significant, but more significant is the size of the class in statue.
“This is one of the most physical, athletic classes we have added in many years. We are thrilled to have them join our LSU Volleyball family and look forward to their impact in our program on the court, in the classroom and in the community.”
Anwusi, a 6-3 middle blocker, will join the Tigers from Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Texas. She was ranked No. 9 Prep Volleyball Senior Ace and was named an Under Armour Second Team All-American this fall. She is a two-time Second Team All-District honoree and played for the Houston Juniors VBC.
Anwusi was a member of the USA Volleyball Junior National Team, where they took home the gold in the NORCECA Women’s U20 Continental Championship. Therefore the team earned qualifications into the 2019 FIVB Women’s U20 World Championship. She is currently the Class President at Alief Hastings. Anwusi chose LSU because of the family feel.
“Anita is an incredibly gifted athlete who will bring a different level of physicality to our gym,” said Flory. “Beyond being an amazing athlete and student, she is a special person whose impact in our program will reach far beyond the court. She will have an amazing future in this sport far beyond the collegiate game.”
Rose, a 5-6 setter, comes to Baton Rouge from Tomball Memorial High School in Tomball, Texas. An Academic All-District performer and a Co-District Champion, Rose has earned many honors in her prep career. She was named 19-5A District Newcomer of the Year in 2015 and earned 20-5A District Offensive MVP the following season in 2016. In 2017, she was named the 20-5A District MVP. Also picked up 5A All-State First Team honors twice and four Tomball Memorial High School MVP honors.
Rose’s older sister Allison played volleyball at St. Mary’s University, while her middle sister, Kaitlyn, golfs at the University of West Alabama. Rose played club volleyball for the Houston Skyline Juniors and has been a captain on the squad since 2013. She was the No. 52 Prep Volleyball Senior Ace. She also picked an AVCA National Player of the Week honor this high school season. She chose LSU for the family atmosphere and the volleyball’s team academic success.
“Karli is dynamic, explosive athlete who will bring a different style to the setting position,” said Flory. “Her ability to impact the game from all facets will open the opportunity for us to run a more diverse system. Her natural feel for the game coupled with her athleticism will allow her to be impactful from the start.”
Hill joins the Tigers from Trinity Preparatory in Oviedo, Florida. The 6-0 outside hitter is a three-time district champion and has earned Second Team All-American honors. She is an honor roll student who has played for OTVA during her Juniors career. She will play for Top Select this upcoming club season.
Her OTVA club team finished third at AAU nationals in 2016 and second in 2017, and finished fifth at Girls Junior National Championships for two-straight years (2017, 18). She is a three-time AAU All-American and chose LSU for the coaching staff and the culture of the school. Hill is also a standout track and field athlete. Her mom and dad both ran track at Arkansas State, while her brother plays basketball at Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin.
“Samarah is a smooth, natural athlete who has barely touched her potential,” said Flory. “She is a 6 rotation player who will have the opportunity to impact our program immediately. She is a fierce competitor who knows how to win.”
Morris, a 6-4 middle blocker, will join the Tigers from right here in Louisiana. She comes from Archbishop Hannan High School in Covington, Louisiana. Over this last weekend, she won the State Championship and was named MVP of the tournament. In 2015 and 2016, She was a State Runner-up and was a District Champion in 2017.
Morris picked up many honors in her prep career, including two-time All-District, two-time All-Metro team, 2017 All-District MVP and was ranked No. 53 Prep Volleyball Senior Ace. She plays for the WD Nation volleyball club and led her team to an AAU National Championship in 2017.
She is also a National Honor Society member and is a four-time honor roll nominee. Her father was on the University of New Orleans track team. Morris chose LSU because she has been an LSU fan her whole life and did not want to leave the Louisiana atmosphere.
“Allee is a physically imposing athlete, with an incredibly bright future in the sport,” said Flory. “Her ability to effect play above the net will be significant as she steps into our program. She is a tough Louisiana athlete who knows how to win and who has won on the highest level.”
Volleyball Social Center
For all of the latest news and information on Tiger volleyball, visit www.lsusports.net/volleyball. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/lsuvolleyball along with @lsuvolleyball and @lsucoachfran on Twitter and @lsuvolleyball on Instagram.