Volleyball Inks Three for 2020

NORMAN — Oklahoma volleyball head coach Lindsey Gray-Walton announced Tuesday the addition of three stellar student-athletes during the 2019-20 early signing period.

Joining the Sooners next season will be Tyler Alcorn, Samantha Anthony and Kelsey Carrington.

"This class is special in that not only do they complement each other in their positional balance for our program, but their personalities add depth to our competitive identity as a program," Gray-Walton said. "This group is hungry to put in the hard work it takes to have consistent success at the highest level. Never satisfied, Sam, Kelsey & Tyler are all humbly accomplished to have the self-confidence to come in and make some noise early in their careers. The future of Oklahoma volleyball is exciting with these three in the Crimson & Cream."

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Tyler Alcorn / MB / 6-0 / Lafayette, La.

A 6-0 middle blocker out of Lafayette, La., Alcorn is a four-year letterwinner at Teurlings Catholic High School. Alcorn is coming off her fourth-consecutive state championship, leading the team in the finals with five blocks and three service aces. She is a three-time all-district honoree. Alcorn currently plays for Volleyball Baton Rouge.

"I chose Oklahoma because it's not super close or super far from home," Alcorn said. "I can learn how to live independently but still be able to visit my family on breaks. OU offers everything I could ask for as a school program. After my visit to OU, I knew immediately that it was where I wanted to spend my college career. The coaches and athletes that I met on my visit were so kindhearted and genuine and I know that those are the kinds of people I want to surround myself with."

Along with excelling in volleyball, Alcorn was the 2018 state champion in the triple jump, the 2018 runner up in the long jump and earned third place in the 4x200 relay. She is the daughter of Bridget Broussard Todd Alcorn and has one sibling, Taylor.

"Tyler is a dual sport athlete that should see great development in her position and as an athlete during her career as a Sooner," Gray-Walton said. "Tyler is a fast-twitch and explosive player that brings championship success with her to Norman. Tyler is a competitor and a winner, someone that will work hard for her goals but wants ultimate team success. Her evolution as a volleyball player and duality adds balance to our depth of attackers. The speed of the collegiate game fits Tyler's athleticism and we are excited about the future of our system with her in it!"

Sam Anthony

Samantha Anthony / DS / 5-6 / Longmont, Colo.

A native of Logmont, Colo., Anthony is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Fairview High School. The 5-6 libero has been a two-time defensive player of the year, while also picking up first-team all-league honors. She has amassed 571 digs in her high school career, including 222 as a senior. Anthony has also tallied 816 assists, including 775 during her senior season.

"OU was the perfect fit for me because I loved the coaching staff and the opportunity to compete in the Big 12," Anthony said. "I also chose OU because of its amazing academics and the many resources the school has to offer."

An eight-year member of Colorado Juniors volleyball club in Monument, Colo., Anthony helped her team qualify for nationals in 2017 and 2018. She also played beach volleyball for five years, qualifying for the USA Junior Beach Tour and AAU Olympic Games in 2018 and 2019. She is the daughter of Veronika and Leonard Anthony.

"Every championship program is built on having an elite first two contacts: pass and set. Sam's ability to serve, pass and defend make her special in that she has minimal weaknesses in the position," Gray-Walton said. "Her court IQ is one step ahead of her opponents and because of it, Sam makes and extends plays for her team that turn into points. Additionally, Sam is driven in the classroom and will carry on the tradition of being an elite sooner student athlete. With the addition of Sam, our backcourt only enhances and for that our ability to consistently have future success is possible."

Kelsey Carrington

Kelsey Carrington / RS/MB / 6-3 / Mt. Pleasant, Wis.

A 6-3 middle blocker, Carrington is a four-year letterwinner at Saint Catherine's High School. She has been named first-team all-country and first-team all-conference in her high school career.

"I chose Oklahoma because of the competitive atmosphere and love shown throughout the campus," Carrington said. "The coaches and players that I met made me feel very welcomed from the beginning. Oklahoma felt like my home away from home."

Carrington has spent six years playing club volleyball, including spending the last year with the Milwaukee Sting. Off the court, she holds high honors for holding a 4.0 GPA. A native of Mt. Pleasant, Wisc., she is the daughter of Jim and Margie Carrington and has one sibling, Jimmy. Her mom, Margie, played basketball at Nebraska, while her grandfather spent two years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.

"Kelsey fits the Sooner mold," Gray-Walton said. "She is driven in the classroom, her community and on the court. As a player, Kelsey is someone we feel can add to our defensive identity with her physicality and mobility at the net as a blocker. She is a work horse in her position as a middle, tireless in her effort to transition and become available as an attacker. What we love as a staff is Kelsey's duality as an athlete on the court. Like Tyler, she is someone that can swing from multiple areas along the net which adds a balanced threat to our offensive system. Kelsey is someone that can create early playing time for herself as a Sooner and we know she's hungry to compete amongst the nation's best in the Big 12 Conference."