ST. LOUIS, MO. – University of Missouri-St. Louis head volleyball coach Ryan Young has announced the signing of Cara Ferchen (Oswego, Ill.), Karlyn Hannewald (Lewis Center, Ohio), Olivia Klank (Channahon, Ill.), Charlotte Richards (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Megan Wall (Edwardsville, Ill.) to national letters of intent to join the Tritons program beginning with the 2018-19 academic year.
 
"I am very excited to announce our five signees for the 2018-2019 year," said Young. "All five student-athletes compete at a very high level in their respective club programs. In adding these five, we are continuing to add talent and depth in multiple positions, as we add two pin hitters, a setter, middle blocker and a Libero/DS. They are a very talented group and I look forward to getting them on campus in August." 
 
 
Cara Ferchen | setter | Oswego, Ill. (Oswego High School)
Honors: Earned Southwest Prairie Conference All-Conference Athletic Award
 
Coach Young on Cara:
"Cara comes to us having played for one of the top clubs in the Midwest. Her high-level training will help translate well to our team and to the college game. She has good feet to the ball and does a nice job of running an offense. Cara is a consistent player and reads the game well to help spread the ball to her attackers. She does a nice job defensively as well and plays the game with a nice controlled manner."
 




Karlyn Hannewald | outside hitter | Lewis Center, Ohio (Bishop Watterson High School)
Honors: Honorable mention all-district… First Team All-CCL… led the conference in kills
 
Coach Young on Karlyn:
"Karlyn is a six rotation outside attacker that has a good first touch defensively and in serve receive. She also does a nice job of hitting various shots when attacking. She is a good athlete that thinks the game and brings a calming presence to the court.  She will fit in well with our outside attackers and provide some added ball control to that group."
 




Olivia Klank | middle blocker | Channahon, Ill. (Minooka High School)
Honors: First team all-area… honorable mention all-conference
 
Coach Young on Olivia:
"Olivia will come in and compete in the middle for us next year. She is a very explosive athlete that closes very quickly pin to pin. She has a strong attack and her quickness and smart attacking make her efficient in the middle. She is a vocal player that brings a lot of energy to her team. She plays at a very high level in high school and club and I feel playing against top competition will get her ready for the college game."
 



Charlotte Richards | outside/right side hitter | Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Xavier High School)
Honors: Two-time first team all-state… 2017 IGHSAU Class 4A Player of the Year… two-time all-state tournament team selection… four-year starter, who recorded more than 1,000 kills.
 
Coach Young on Charlotte:
"Charlotte will come in and help us on both the outside and right side. She is a very intelligent attacker and just came off a season where she was the "go to" player on her team which finished third in the state. She also does nice job in the backrow with her serve receive and defense. She is an intense player that brings a lot of energy when she plays. She will compete on both pins for us next year and I'm excited to see what she can do for our team."   
 


Megan Wall | libero | Edwardsville, Ill. (Edwardsville High School)
Honors: Two-time all-state selection… two-time first team all-conference… three-time conference Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Coach Young on Megan:
"Megan is a talented defensively specialist/libero.  She reads the game exceptionally well and I am excited to see how she can help our team defensively next season.  Her serve receive has been an area that really impresses me.  Her overall control and defensive mind set will translate great to the college game and help our team in those areas."