LAKE CHARLES—McNeese first year head volleyball coach, Kristee Porter has hit the ground running ever since being named head coach and today Porter announced her first signing class.
 
Included in the signing class will be transfers Paige Havel and Jaiden Kennedy along with freshmen Keilee Guinn and Cici Harness. Also joining the team will be junior Chloe Mullins and freshman Caleigh Ross.
 
Havel, a 6-2 middle blocker from Giddings, Tx. is no stranger to McNeese as she spent her freshman season (2018) at McNeese where she led the team with 138 blocks, a .267 hitting percent, and was third on the team with 199 kills. Havel spent the 2019 season at Blinn College where she helped the team to a 29-8 overall record. While at Blinn, she posted a .300 hitting percent with 85 blocks.
 
"Paige has always made an impact wherever she played," said Porter. "She is a presence at the net and a constant offensive threat. She still has the ability to reach another level in her performance and it will be interesting to see if she can reach her full potential this season. If she can, we will be a scary team to play against."
 
Kennedy is a 6-1 middle blocker transfer from Amarillo, Tx. who played two years at Lubbock Christian University. In her final season at LCU, Kennedy started all 30 matches, led the team with 98 blocks, was fourth on the team with 211 kills along with a .204 hitting percent and 12 service aces.
 
"We have high expectations for Jaiden," Porter said.  "She has a strong skill set and the experience needed to play at this level. The pace of the game will be an adjustment for her but one that I think she will make quickly.  She has yet to reach her full potential so it will be interesting to see how quickly she can develop and how high her ceiling really is." 
 
Guinn is a 5-11 outside hitter from Frisco, Tx. While at Frisco High she was a four-year letterwinner and team captain three years. Guinn is a four-time all-district selection and a two-time team MVP. She concluded her high school career with 794 kills and 634 digs.
 
"Keilee is a talented player that has the ability to play multiple positions," Porter said. "When you watch her play, she adds a level of poise and maturity no matter what is going on around her. She has played a high level of volleyball and she should transition well to the collegiate level."
 
Harness is a 5-8 setter from Alvin, Tx. and a product of Manvel High. As a senior she was credited with 109 kills, a .431 hitting percent, and 61 assists. For her career, she accumulated 2,696 assists, 667 digs, and 181 service aces.
 
"Cici is the type pf player that just knows how to win," Porter said. "She puts her hitters in great positions to score and creates a balance plan of attack. She has been setting at an elite level for many years and her volleyball IQ will be an asset on the court."
 
Mullins, a 5-8 libero is a native of Tarkington, Tx. and is also a transfer from Blinn College where she helped the Buccaneers to a combined 58-18 record in two years. In her final season at Blinn she led the team with 32 service aces while compiling 254 digs and 12 assists in 31 matches.
 
"Chloe has a great energy about her," Porter said. "When you meet her for the first time it feels like you've known her forever. She will offer balance on the court and a competitive spirit that pushes everyone else around her. We're excited to see how the libero battle shapes up with the addition of Chloe's experience."
 
Ross is a 5-10 outside hitter from Pearland, Tx. where she led her Dawson High School team to a 43-5 overall record and a perfect 12-0 district record in 2019.
 
"Caleigh is a good athlete that will provide much needed depth on the outside for us," said Porter.  "She is young and will need some time, but she has great energy and the potential to find court time not only as an attacker but defensively as well."
 
 
2020 McNeese Volleyball Class
Paige Havel, 6-2, Jr., Middle Blocker, Giddings, Tx. (Blinn College)
Jaiden Kennedy, 6-1, Jr., Middle Blocker, Amarillo, Tx. (Lubbock Christian Univ.)
Keilee Guinn, 5-11, Fr., Outside Hitter, Frisco, Tx. (Frisco High)
Cici Harness, 5-8, Fr., Setter, Alvin, Tx. (Manvel High)
Chloe Mullins, 5-8, Jr. Libero, Tarkington, Tx., (Blinn College)
Caleigh Ross, 5-10, Fr., Outside Hitter, Pearland, Tx. (Dawson High)