Adds three students from Poland, one from Turkey, and one from Montenegro; Recruits also come from Montana, Florida and Utah

Yavapai Community College has set the stage for an exciting season as it welcomes 18 talented student-athletes to its 2023 Volleyball team. This is the second year for head coach Chelsey Lucas and assistant coach Zaquae Downtown.

One remarkable aspect of this year’s recruiting effort is the exceptional diversity within the team. Hailing from various corners of the globe, five gifted student-athletes have made Yavapai their new home, arriving from countries as far-reaching as Poland, Turkey, and Montenegro. Additionally, the team has tapped into talent pools in different states, successfully recruiting standouts from Florida, Utah, and Montana. This melting pot of talent promises to bring a fascinating mix of playing styles and cultural influences to the volleyball court.

Three outstanding student-athletes have been selected from Yavapai County itself, constituting approximately 17% of the team. While the number from the County  fell short of the 25% target set by the athletic department, the dedication and passion of these homegrown players should add a special flair to the team’s composition.

As the 2023 Volleyball season approaches, anticipation and excitement build around this diverse and talented group of athletes.

The following is a list of the members of the 2023 Volleyball team:

Bella Reach | Outside Hitter | Freshman | Cave Creek, Arizona. High School: Reach graduated from Cactus Shadows High School in May of 2023. Personal: Reach was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, on November 13, 2004.

Jezebel Rivas | Libero | Freshman | Goodyear, Arizona. High School: Rivas graduated from Millennium High School in May of 2023; Personal: Rivas was born in Maricopa, Arizona, on January 23, 2005. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, and going to the lake. In the future, Rivas plans to earn a major in veterinary medicine.

Jaydyn Rayburn | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Freshman | Camp Verde, Arizona: High School: Rayburn graduated from Camp Verde High School in May of 2023. During her high school career, she tallied over 1,200 digs and 98 aces while earning North Central Region Defensive Player of the Year honors twice in addition to All-State Honorable-Mention honors. *Personal: Rayburn was born in Prescott, Arizona, on February 18, 2005. Her hobbies include lifting and being outdoors and, in the future, she plans to study nursing.

Rylee Carnes | Setter/Defensive Specialist | Freshman | Payson, Arizona. High School: Carnes graduated from Payson High School in May of 2023. During her junior and senior seasons, she earned Second-Team All-Region honors in addition to being ranked third in assists in 3A East as a senior. During her sophomore season, she helped lead her team to the state tournament while earning Honorable Mention honors. Personal: Carnes was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 14, 2005. Her hobbies include hunting, hiking, playing beach volleyball, and being around her friends and family. While at YC, she plans to study radiology.

Michalina Oles | Right Side Hitter | Freshman | Krakow, Poland: High School: Oles graduated from SMS Wieliczka in May of 2023. While there, she earned a bronze and silver medal at the Polish Nationals. Personal: Oles was born in Krakow, Malopolska, Poland, on March 20, 2004. Her hobbies include literature, manga and anime, and traveling.

Zofia Ciejka | Libero | Freshman | Chotomow, Poland. High School: Ciejka graduated from Liceum ogólnoksztalcace imienia Marii Konopnickiej in May of 2023 where she earned a championship. Personal: Ciejka was born in Warsaw, Poland, on June 1, 2004.

Kadyn Dahlke | Right Side Hitter | Freshman | Phoenix, Arizona: High School: Dahlke graduated from Cactus Shadows High School in May of 2023. She earned First-Team All-Region honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons and was one of prep volleyball’s players to watch in 2023.  Personal: Dahlke was born in Bonsall, California, on July 20, 2005. Her hobbies include shopping, reading, and dancing and, in the future, she plans to earn a major in psychology.

Efsun Semerci | Setter | Sophomore | Ankara, Turkey: High School: Semerci graduated from Hazirlik High School in May of 2022. Before Yavapai: Before becoming a Roughrider, Semerci previously attended Lamar Community College. Personal: Semerci was born in Ankara, Turkey, on February 13, 2004. Her hobbies include listening to music, playing piano, hanging out with her friends, and working out.

Teylor Leauanae | Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist | Sophomore | Provo, Utah. High School: Leauanae graduated from Timpview High School in May of 2022. She played three years of varsity volleyball, earned All-Region honors twice, and helped lead her team to a 5A state title in 2020. Before Yavapai: Before becoming a Roughrider, Leauanae previously attended Casper College. Personal: Leauanae was born in Glendale, Arizona, on March 29, 2004. Her hobbies include hiking, running, and hanging out with her friends and family. While at YC, she plans to earn her associate’s degree.

Inga Turner | Middle Blocker | Freshman | Bigfork, Montana. High School: Turner graduated from Bigfork High School in June of 2023. While at Bigfork, she earned First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-State honors twice. Personal: Turner was born in Portland, Oregon, on June 6, 2005. Her hobbies include track, wake surfing, and snowboarding. While at YC, she plans to study business.

Sophia Smith | Libero | Freshman | Phoenix, Arizona. High School: Smith graduated from Shadow Mountain High School in May of 2023. As a senior, she earned First-Team All-Region and MVP honors. Personal: Smith was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 20, 2004. Her hobbies include snowboarding, hanging out with her friends, and going to the gym. In the future, she plans to study dental hygiene.

Teodora Bulatovic | Setter | Freshman | Tivat, Montenegro. High School: Bulatovic graduated from High School Mladost in June of 2023. As a senior, she helped lead her team to a bronze medal at the junior championship while knocking off the league champion from the previous six years. She also helped lead her team to a second-place finish in a 20-team tournament. Personal: Bulatovic was born in Kotor, Montenegro, on October 24, 2004. Her hobbies include reading, listening to music, biking, and going to the gym.

Emily Hogg | Right Side Hitter | Freshman | Scottsdale, Arizona. High School: Hogg graduated from Horizon High School in May of 2023. Hogg helped lead her team to state championships during her junior and senior seasons. Personal: Hogg was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, and her hobbies include shopping and watching movies.

Erica Graves | Middle Blocker | Freshman | Camp Verde, Arizona. High School: Graves graduated from Camp Verde High School in May of 2023. She earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and First-Team All-Region honors in 2022. Personal: Graves was born in Bullhead City, Arizona, on July 25, 2005. Her hobbies include being outside and hanging out with her friends.

Hannah West | Outside Hitter | Freshman | Prescott, Arizona. High School: West graduated from Trinity Christian High School in May of 2023. As a senior, West led her team to a state championship with a .390 hitting percentage, All-State honors and Player of the Game honors in the state title match. Personal: West was born in Mesa, Arizona, on September 10, 2004. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, backpacking and photography. In the future, she has career aspirations of becoming a child life specialist.

Danica Mcdonald | Middle Blocker | Freshman | Chino Valley, Arizona. High School: Mcdonald graduated from Chino Valley High School in May of 2023. As a senior, she earned First-Team All-Region honors while leading D3 in blocks with 73. Personal: Mcdonald was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 14, 2005. Her hobbies include babysitting, hiking, and swimming. She plans to major in education and attain a master’s in special education.

Eva Payne | Setter | Freshman | Riverton, Utah. High School: Payne graduated from American Preparatory Academy Draper 3 in June of 2023. As a senior, she earned All-Star honors while leading her team to an undefeated record in region play, winning the region for the first time in school history. She also earned Offensive Player of the Year honors. Personal: Payne was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on October 23, 2005. In the future, she wants to study early childhood education.

Antigone Colon | Right Side/Middle Hitter | Freshman | Ocala, Florida. High School: Colon graduated from La Cueva High School in May of 2021. Personal: Colon was born in Glendale, Arizona, on July 2, 2003. She enjoys watching movies and plans to major in kinesiology.