CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois volleyball head coach Chris Tamas announced the addition of the five newest members of the Fighting Illini volleyball program.
"We are excited to announce these five players today as our 2025 class. They possess a lot of skill over their respective positions and all of them have played at a very high level, whether it be high school, club, or our National Team Development Program," said Tamas. "We look forward to having them all together in our gym and competing in Huff Hall. They are a motivated and competitive class, and we look forward to continuing a successful tradition with all of their help on and off the court."
Alyssa Aguayo // Phoenix, Arizona // Corona del Sol High School // Arizona Storm Elite Volleyball Club // OH // 6-0
Notes: Four-year letter winner at Corona del Sol High School… Two-time high school team captain… Won a state championship in 2022… Made the 6A State Semifinals in 2021 and 2023… Named 6A All-Conference First Team Outside Hitter in 2023… Earned 6A All-Region First Team Outside Hitter honors in 2023… Nominee for All-State Player of the Year in 2023… Nominee for the AZ Republic High School Volleyball Player of the Year Award in 2023… Won 6A Central Region Player of the Year award in 2023… Named Tempe All-City Association Outside Hitter from 2022-2024… A two-time USAV Girls Junior National Champion in the 16s & 17s Open Division…. Ranked #64 in Prep Volleyball Class of 2025 in 2023 and 2024… Named Prep Volleyball All Classes/Positions Rank #14 in Southwest Region in 2024… Finished the Arizona Region Championships 17s Open division in second Place in 2024…Won the Sunshine Classic National Qualifier in the 17s Open division in 2024…. Took first at the Salt Lake City Showdown National Qualifier in 2024… Won the MLK Fiesta Classic 17 Open in 2024… Named a Prep Volleyball USAV JNC's All-Tournament Selection in 2023… Father Adrian played basketball at Northland Pioneer College and Saddleback College… Uncle Aaron was a Pac-10 Champion and an All-American for Arizona State Track and Field and Cross Country… Sister Ashlinn runs track at Gonzaga
Coach Tamas on Aguayo: "Alyssa has played for lots of winning teams over the course of her high school and club career. She has played a big role in all of those wins. She has a wide array of shots to go along with a powerful arm. She is capable of playing six rotations as well as she has shown to be a good passer and defender"
Why Illinois? "There are multiple reasons why I chose the University of Illinois. One essential reason is that I felt that I had an instant and genuine connection with the coaching staff. The culture and the program they have built and the goals they have for the future align with my aspirations. Beyond that, I have always had a dream of competing in the Big Ten Conference!"
Taryn Kirsch // Sioux Falls, South Dakota // Washington High School // Kairos Elite Volleyball Club // L/DS // 5-10
Notes: A four-year varsity letter winner… Named First Team All-Metro Conference and First Team All-State in 2022 and 2023… Named to the South Dakota State All-Tournament Team in 2023… Finished second at the State Tournament in 2023 and third in 2022… Participant at the USA National Team Development Program in 2023 and 2024… Played club volleyball with Sophi Randall… Knows Ashlyn Philpot and Gabriella Pitcel through the USA National Team Development Program… Named AVCA All-Region in 2024... Father Jay played baseball at Augustana University and was inducted into the Hall of Fame… Sister Brynn currently plays volleyball at Kansas.
Coach Tamas on Kirsch:Â "The thing that impressed us the most about TK was her ability to just go after every ball. She has a great mentality to go along with a great skill set. She has a nice touch as a passer and relentless effort on defense."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because it offers me the opportunity to play in the Big Ten under coaches that genuinely care about their athletes as individuals!"
Gabriella Pitcel // Mukwonago, Wisconsin // Mukwonago High School // Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club // MB // 6-1
Notes: A four-year varsity letterwinner at Mukwonago High School… Set the Mukwonago single season and career record for kills as a junior…. Broke the Mukwonago career record for blocks during her junior year… Nominee for the Milwaukee Journal Volleyball Player of the Year… Named first team all-state… A two-time PrepVolleyball All-American… Ranked 60 in the Class of 2025 as the 11 Middle Blocker by PrepVolleyball… Ranked second overall and the top ranked middle blocker for Wisconsin according to Prepdig… Nationally, ranked 42 overall and sixth middle blocker by Prepdig… Won the NIT Championship in the 17 Open Division… Club team ranked sixth nationally by PrepVolleyball in the 17U category… Named to the AVCA Phenom Watchlist from 2022-24…Earned AVCA All-Region honors in 2024... A nine-time USA National Team Development Program invitee… Brother played football at Northern Illinois.
Coach Tamas on Pitcel:Â "GP is a very versatile and fast player. She has great lateral speed on the block and has shown to be able to kill the ball from lots of different positions. She will be a force on offense and defense"
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because the coaching staff is amazing, the community is very welcoming, and I have always wanted to play in the Big Ten!"
Sophi Randall // Dell Rapids, South Dakota // Del Rapids High School // Kairos Elite Volleyball Club // OH // 6-0
Notes: Has amassed over 3,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs at Dell Rapids High School… Finished third at the state tournament... A two-time Dak XII All-Conference First Team honoree… Named a 14U Premier All Star… Received 15U Open All American Honors…. Finished fifth in the open division at Nationals with the 15 and 18u teams… Grandfather was a wrestler for South Dakota State… Father Kelly played basketball at South Dakota State… Played club volleyball with Taryn Kirsch.
Coach Tamas on Randall :Â "Sophie has one of the best deliveries of a set that I have seen. She has great hands and is able to make a set from anywhere to anywhere and makes it look effortless. She will be able to set up our hitters for success for many years to come."
Why Illinois? "Illinois's culture is unmatched and so welcoming. Everyone who is involved in the program makes you feel right at home from the second you first meet! I am beyond excited to start my volleyball career for the Fighting Illini!"
Ava Wysocki // Kildeer, Illinois // Stevenson High School // Sky High Volleyball Club // OPP // 6-0
Notes: A four-year letter winner for Stevenson High School… Named to the AVCA watchlist four times… Won an Illinois Regional Championship in 2023… Was named all-conference in 2023… Father swam for Truman College…. Had two uncles play football at Northern Illinois.
Coach Tamas on Wysocki:Â "Ava has a quick jump and a live arm. She is fast off the ground and has showed a lot of ability as a front row player. She plays with a ton of energy and enthusiasm."
Why Illinois? " I choose Illinois because immediately when I stepped foot on the campus, it felt like home. The people, the coaches and the culture made it a good fit for me also allowing for me to play at the highest level."
