CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Chris Tamas and the Illinois volleyball program has announced the addition of two local student-athletes on Thursday (December 20) as Rylee Hinton (Champaign, Illinois) and Mica Allison (White Heath, Illinois) are set to join the Illini for the 2019 spring season. Hinton will graduate early from Champaign Central High School, while Allison will transfer to Illinois following a year at the Auburn University.
The duo joins fall signees Ellie Holzman (New Orleans, Louisiana), Kennedy Collins (Zion, Illinois) and Kyla Swanson (Wahoo, Nebraska) as the newest additions to the Illini volleyball roster.
Rylee Hinton // Champaign, Illinois // Champaign Central High School // Illini Elite Volleyball Club // Middle Blocker // 6-2
Notes: 2018 AVCA Under Armour All-America Second-Team honoree and PrepVolleyball Senior Ace … Two-time News Gazette All-Area First-Team and First-Team Big 12 All-Conference selection as a junior and senior … As a senior team captain, led her Central High School team to a Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 3A Sectional Semifinal showing after registering 3.38 kills per set on a .441 hitting percentage, which led the state of Illinois … Earned News Gazette All-State Honorable Mention honors as a junior … Named to the News Gazette All-Area Second-Team and All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore … Seven-time All-Tournament team honoree, including three-straight at the O'Fallon Township High School Volleyball Tournament, two-straight at the Mahomet Seymour High School Volleyball Tournament and the 2016 Champaign Centennial High School Volleyball Tournament … Selected to the 2017 Sports Performance Volleyball President's Day Challenge All-Tournament Team and the 2017 Mizuno National Junior Classic All-Tournament Team as a member of Illini Elite Volleyball Club … Helped lead Illini Elite to a third place finish at the 2018 AAU Nationals.
Why Illinois?
"Having the opportunity to play Big Ten volleyball in my hometown was simply an option I could not pass up. In addition to that, Coach Tamas and Coach Reed made my decision even easier. Throughout my recruiting process I was looking for a coaching staff that was intense, pushes me to be better every day and most importantly, wants to win and I found exactly that at Illinois. These factors combined with the outstanding academic programs at University of Illinois made my decision a no brainer!"
Coach Tamas on Hinton
"Rylee has always impressed me with her competitive fire and her ability to make big plays in big moments. I have seen this a handful of times at her Central High matches and on the club scene for Illini Elite. This season, Rylee led the state of Illinois in hitting percentage (.441) and that is an impressive feat because she hit in all different zones of the court. Rylee has graduated early and will join us for our spring training block. We look forward to having her and further developing her skills. We appreciate Rylee's commitment to stay home and compete for us here at Illinois."
Mica Allison // White Heath, Illinois // Auburn // High School of Saint Thomas More // Illini Elite Volleyball Club // Setter // 6-1
Auburn Notes: 2018 SEC All-Freshman Team … 2018 Kansas Invitational All-Tournament Team … SEC Setter of the Week (Oct. 29) … Started every match at setter for Auburn … Averaged 10.05 assists/set to rank fourth overall in the Southeastern Conference … That average also finished fourth on Auburn's single-season records list (rally scoring era) … Had 1,055 assists on the year to finish fifth on the single season list … Eclipsed 50 or more assists on three occasions … Had a career-high 61 assists in the five-set win vs. Ole Miss (10/26) … shipped in 57 assists in another 3-2 victory over Mississippi State (11/21) … Averaged 1.82 digs/set … Totaled five double-doubles (assists/digs) on the season … Had a career-best 13 digs on three occasions – vs. Florida State (9/16), at Alabama (9/23), vs. Georgia (10/3) … Set a career high in kills with eight at home vs. the Rebels.
High School/Club Notes: 2018 USA Volleyball Women's Junior National Team member … 2017-18 Illinois Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year ... 2017 USA Volleyball National Youth Team member ... 2017 AAU 17U Division Open Division MVP ... 2017 Second Team All-USA Today Preseason High School Girls Volleyball ... Ranked the No. 7 overall recruit in the country on the 2018 PrepVolleyball Senior Aces list ... 2017 AVCA Under Armour All-America third team ... 2015 USA Volleyball High Performance Select A1 ... Four-time First Team All-Conference ... Three-time First Team News Gazette All-Area ... Guided high school to first-ever Illinois State Championship in 2017 ... Led the Illini Elite to an AAU 17 Open National Championship in 2017.
Why Illinois?
"I feel so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to join this program at Illinois. The culture they are building for Illinois volleyball is something special and something I am very excited to be a part of."
Coach Tamas on Allison
"Mica has proven herself at many levels. At local Saint Thomas More she earned her way to Illinois State Gatorade Player of the Year her senior year. At Illini Elite, she was the 17 Open Champion and MVP. In her first year in college she was an all-conference player. Mica has also been on multiple USA volleyball rosters in which she played key roles on all of her rosters. I look forward to her contributions with Illinois Volleyball and happy to add her to an already talented and accomplished roster."
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