Volleyball Announces Signing Class, Adds Three Recruits for 2018 Season
Nov 15, 2017 | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS – Tulane volleyball head coach Jim Barnes announced on Wednesday three new student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Green Wave for the 2018 season. The Green Wave's recruiting class includes Makala Heidelberg (outside hitter, Winter Garden, Fla.), Taylor Henigsman (setter, Richardson, Texas) and Kayla Dinkins (middle hitter, Allison Park, Pa.).
"Our 2018 class is one of the strongest in Tulane volleyball history," Barnes said. "Each player was highly recruited and chose Tulane over other major college offers. This class will shoot us to the top of the American Athletic Conference quickly and provide us with talent at each position. All of them come from highly successful club and high school teams which have won at the highest level, and they are all high character, strong academic athletes. I want to thank assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Yale and assistant coach Meredith Schamun for their hard work attracting these top recruits to Tulane."
Makala Heidelberg | Winter Garden, Fla. | West Orange HS | Outside Hitter
Â
Heidelberg comes to New Orleans from Winter Garden, Fla., where she was a four-year letter winner at West Orange HS and played club at Top Select Volleyball Academy. Her high school's all-time record holder in kills, as well as team MVP and an All-League First Team honoree as a junior, Heidelberg will bring athleticism and power to the Green Wave's attack. Heidelberg intends to major in communications with dreams of hosting a sports talk show.
Barnes on Heidelberg:
"She'll be an instant impact player and crowd favorite. Makala is a high flyer, extremely fast and can cover the entire court. Makala has a strong skillset and tough mental game. She had a highly decorated junior career, being named MVP of a top national tournament."
Taylor Henigsman | Richardson, Texas | JJ Pearce HS | Setter
Â
The Richardson, Texas native arrives at Tulane after an accomplished high school career in which she was a four-year letter winner and earned All-City First Team honors as a junior. A versatile and crafty setter, Henigsman played club at Excel Volleyball, competing on the top national team each season. Henigsman intends to major in pre-med, planning to pursue a career in pediatrics or sports medicine.
Barnes on Henigsman:
"A unique talent at the setter position. Great balance of size, speed and skill. She has exceptional touch when setting, and she's very deceptive. She makes every hitter better by delivering a beautiful set. She can play well above the net, and that'll make her one of the best all-around setters in The American."
Kayla Dinkins | Allison Park, Pa. | North Allegheny HS | Middle Hitter
Â
Dinkins dominated the high school-level as a senior, leading her team to a 25-0 record and tallying 260 kills with a .400 hitting percentage. Dinkins, who played club at Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association, earned All-League First Team and All-Section First Team honors as a senior. The daughter of former New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion Darnell Dinkins, Dinkins is pursuing a career in zoology.
Barnes on Dinkins:
"A major middle blocker talent. Kayla bloomed over the last year and big time programs were after her. Brian put a lot of miles in recruiting Kayla, and it paid off. Kayla puts up a huge block and has a strong, fast arm. She'll be one of the most physical middles in the league."
Follow Tulane volleyball on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and @TulaneAthletics on Snapchat.
Â
"Our 2018 class is one of the strongest in Tulane volleyball history," Barnes said. "Each player was highly recruited and chose Tulane over other major college offers. This class will shoot us to the top of the American Athletic Conference quickly and provide us with talent at each position. All of them come from highly successful club and high school teams which have won at the highest level, and they are all high character, strong academic athletes. I want to thank assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Yale and assistant coach Meredith Schamun for their hard work attracting these top recruits to Tulane."
Makala Heidelberg | Winter Garden, Fla. | West Orange HS | Outside Hitter
Â
?? Signed, sealed, delivered! Â ??
— Tulane Volleyball (@GreenWaveVB) November 8, 2017
?? Makala Heidelberg
Welcome to the Green Wave! #RollWave #SigningDay pic.twitter.com/Y4tIHLnOEb
Heidelberg comes to New Orleans from Winter Garden, Fla., where she was a four-year letter winner at West Orange HS and played club at Top Select Volleyball Academy. Her high school's all-time record holder in kills, as well as team MVP and an All-League First Team honoree as a junior, Heidelberg will bring athleticism and power to the Green Wave's attack. Heidelberg intends to major in communications with dreams of hosting a sports talk show.
Barnes on Heidelberg:
"She'll be an instant impact player and crowd favorite. Makala is a high flyer, extremely fast and can cover the entire court. Makala has a strong skillset and tough mental game. She had a highly decorated junior career, being named MVP of a top national tournament."
Taylor Henigsman | Richardson, Texas | JJ Pearce HS | Setter
Â
?? It's official! She's in! ??
— Tulane Volleyball (@GreenWaveVB) November 8, 2017
?? Taylor Henigsman
Welcome to the Green Wave! #RollWave #SigningDay pic.twitter.com/xRnBsBFjoG
The Richardson, Texas native arrives at Tulane after an accomplished high school career in which she was a four-year letter winner and earned All-City First Team honors as a junior. A versatile and crafty setter, Henigsman played club at Excel Volleyball, competing on the top national team each season. Henigsman intends to major in pre-med, planning to pursue a career in pediatrics or sports medicine.
Barnes on Henigsman:
"A unique talent at the setter position. Great balance of size, speed and skill. She has exceptional touch when setting, and she's very deceptive. She makes every hitter better by delivering a beautiful set. She can play well above the net, and that'll make her one of the best all-around setters in The American."
Kayla Dinkins | Allison Park, Pa. | North Allegheny HS | Middle Hitter
Â
?? Confirmed! She'll be rolling with us next season! ??
— Tulane Volleyball (@GreenWaveVB) November 9, 2017
?? Kayla Dinkins
Welcome to the Green Wave! #RollWave #SigningDay pic.twitter.com/3s7dLZ7bL2
Dinkins dominated the high school-level as a senior, leading her team to a 25-0 record and tallying 260 kills with a .400 hitting percentage. Dinkins, who played club at Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association, earned All-League First Team and All-Section First Team honors as a senior. The daughter of former New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion Darnell Dinkins, Dinkins is pursuing a career in zoology.
Barnes on Dinkins:
"A major middle blocker talent. Kayla bloomed over the last year and big time programs were after her. Brian put a lot of miles in recruiting Kayla, and it paid off. Kayla puts up a huge block and has a strong, fast arm. She'll be one of the most physical middles in the league."
Follow Tulane volleyball on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and @TulaneAthletics on Snapchat.
Â
Postgame vs Rice: Avery Burks
Thursday, October 16
Postgame vs USF: Head Coach Jordana Price
Sunday, October 12
Postgame vs North Texas: Lauryn Mack
Saturday, October 11
Volleyball Postgame: Ava Derbes & Lauryn Mack
Friday, September 19
