Troy University Athletics
Volleyball Welcomes Four Additions on National Signing Day
11/8/2023 2:12:00 PM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – Troy volleyball welcomed four new additions to the program on Wednesday, announced head coach Josh Lauer. The newest group of Trojans will join the program beginning with the 2024 season.
"We are very excited about our 2024 class," Lauer said. "Across the board, we are adding great volleyball skill, IQ and athleticism. But most importantly, Olivia, Kalina, Ashlynn and Kayla are high-character young women who will thrive academically and represent Troy University with integrity and Trojan pride."
Troy volleyball continues to attract top tier volleyball talent from the recruiting hot beds in the Midwest and Texas. The 2024 class is no exception. Both Ashlynn Axtell and Kalina Calvillo hail from Austin and San Antonio, respectively. While Olivia Kwiatkowski and Kayla Baetzel are coming to Troy from elite volleyball programs in the greater Milwaukee and Chicago areas. All four of the newest Troy signees will graduate from high school this coming spring, and plan to join their new Troy teammates this summer in preparation for the Trojan's 2024 season.
Ashlynn Axtell – Middle Hitter, 6-0, Austin, Texas / Anderson High School / Club
Led Anderson High School to a 27-12 record in her final season while posting a 79-38 record throughout her high school career… Led the district in blocking her junior year, with 122 blocks… Recorded 282 blocks and 550 kills over her high school career… Sophomore year led Anderson to a postseason appearance.
Josh Lauer on Ashlynn Axtell
"Ashlynn is a fun addition to our middle hitter group. She is smart and very athletic. Ashlynn brings great quickness offensively to our team. She is a driven student and will bring a positive competitive attitude as well as an engaging wit and humor that we are all looking forward to enjoying when she arrives in Troy."
Kayla Baetzel – Defensive Specialist, 5-4, Plainfield, Illinois / Plainfield South High School /
Led Plainfield South High School to a school record 21 wins as a junior in 2022 and followed with 18 victories as a senior… Tallied 279 digs from the libero position in addition to 61 assists and 37 aces in her final season… Baetzel continues a family legacy following in the footsteps of her aunts Julie and Melissa Keck, Troy volleyball alumni, and her uncle Justin Cox, a Troy baseball alum.
Josh Lauer on Kayla Baetzel
"Kalya was the final addition to our 2024 class. With her work ethic and warm personality, she won the entire staff and team over at camp this summer. Kayla connects so well with our team, bringing that high-level Midwest volleyball IQ to the gym. The Midwest volleyball roots and Kayla's family legacy here at Troy make her a fun addition to our Troy volleyball family."
Kalina Calvillo – Outside Hitter, 6-0, San Antonio / Antonian College Preparatory High School /
Led Antonian College Preparatory High School to the state tournament in her junior and senior campaigns… Four-time all-state selection and two-time area selection… The Apache posted a 41-8 record in her final season… Had three seasons with more than 500 kills… Recorded the most kills in Antonian Prep program history, with 1,835 kills.
Josh Lauer on Kalina Calvillo
"Kalina is one of the most driven players we have recruited during my time at Troy. She does everything on and off the court with passion and a desire to perform at the highest level. She loves people and we knew she would be a great fit for our Troy volleyball family. On the court, Kalina is versatile and has a big-time arm. She will continue a great tradition of pin attackers for our offense."
Olivia Kwiatkowski – Outside Hitter, 6-0, Oconomowoc Wisconsin / Oconomowoc High School / Miwaukee Sting
A four-year varsity starter at Oconomowoc High School… Helped lead the Raccoons to a conference championship as a senior… Led Oconomowoc High School to a runner-up finish in the Wisconsin 6A state championships as a junior and senior… Helped lead the Raccoons to a 41-4 season in her senior season… She finished her final campaign at Oconomowoc with 353 kills, averaging 3.4 per set.
Josh Lauer on Olivia Kwiatkowski
"Olivia is competitive, positive, skilled and an extremely accomplished player. But the best part about Olivia is her warmth and commitment to her teammates. Every time we watched Olivia during the recruiting process, we walked away saying, 'She is a great teammate,' but don't let her smile fool you. Olivia will be physically offensive and bring great passing and defensive skill to our team, with a tremendous focus on academic excellence.
