Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcat Volleyball Welcomes Four From Class of 2023
11/14/2018 12:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern volleyball head coach Shane Davis announced the addition of four superb high school talents to his upstart program on Wednesday.
The four-member class is highlighted by Temi Thomas-Ailara, who was named a 2018 Under Armour First Team All-American. In addition, the Class of 2023 includes a pair of Honorable Mention All-America picks in Becker and Cronister, as well as a PrepVolleyball.com Top-150 Senior Ace in Olivia Haskins.
"I couldn't be more excited to welcome these four to our Wildcat volleyball family," Davis said. "Every recruiting class is an opportunity to get better, and we got better today. I am eager to see the athleticism, strength, and mental fortitude that these players will exhibit day-in and day-out in our gym."
Details about each signee…
Temi Thomas-Ailara
6-2 // OH // Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy // Glenwood, Ill.
High School: Four-year letter winner … First Team Under Armour All-American in 2018 … Totaled 780 kills, 387 digs and 107 aces during her career at Marian Catholic High School … MaxPreps All-American in 2016 … Daily SouthTown All-Area First Team in 2016 and 2017 … Team MVP in 2016 and 2017 … Played for Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy … Was part of the 2018 USAV U17 National Championship team in the National Division … Secretary of the National Honor Society and was a member of the Spanish National Honor Society.
Personal: Born Temitayo Oluwatoyin Thomas-Ailara … Played with Northwestern recruit Charlotte Cronister in club … Played against current Wildcat Lexi Pitsas in high school and fellow signee Olivia Haskins during club … Anticipated major is biomedical engineering.
Says Davis: "Temi is a tenacious competitor with an athletic ability to match. She recently earned First-Team All-America honors, which puts her among the top-25 players in the nation, and we're excited to keep this homegrown talent close to home."
Desiree Becker
6-2 // MB // Legacy // DeWitt, Mich.
High School: Played four years on varsity, mostly as a middle blocker … Named team captain senior year … Finished with 308 kills, 176 digs, 71 aces and 48 blocks her senior year … Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention … Named to PrepVolleyball's Senior Ace "The 150" … Helped team to the state semi-finals her junior year … Played club volleyball at Legacy Volleyball Club … Finished ninth overall at the 2017 USAV Junior National 16 Open championships … Went to the same high school at 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber … Earned DeWitt High School Academic Excellence Award all four years … Member of the National Honor Society … Also played soccer.
Personal: Daughter of Jacqueline Moses and Joseph Becker … Born Desiree Denise-Marie Moses Becker … Played club volleyball with current Wildcats Tatyana Hardwick and Abryanna Cannon … Enjoys yoga and traveling … Anticipated major is psychology.
Says Davis: "Two words come to mind when I think about Desiree: aggressive and hungry. Especially when it comes to blocking, she has a tremendous mindset that helps her get the job done. In addition, she has great quickness and a huge arm, which will be a huge asset to our middle attack in the years to come."
Charlotte Cronister
5-7 // L // Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy // Chicago, Ill.
High School: Four-year varsity letter winner at Latin School of Chicago … Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention … Named to PrepVolleyball's Senior Ace "The 150" … Captain junior and senior years … 2018 Independent School League Player of the Year ... 2018 Latin Volleyball Team MVP ... Named ISL Player of the Year her junior year … Helped team to win the ISL Conference Championships and Regional Championships all four year … Registered 396 digs, 141 kills, 71 aces, 19 assists and nine blocks her senior year … Played club for Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy … Club team was the 2018 USAV National Champions in the 17 National Division … Also named a USAV 17U All-American … Also played soccer.
Personal: Daughter of Debra Sampey and Timothy Cronister … Born Charlotte Lauren Cronister … Mom played volleyball at George Williams and dad played soccer at Haverford … Sister Catie currently plays volleyball at Wofford … Played volleyball with fellow Northwestern signee Temi Thomas-Ailara … Anticipated major is environmental science and journalism.
Says Davis: "Charlotte will be a passionate and competitive member of our squad. She's a feisty, quick, and relentless defender who is a living embodiment of the 'calm is contagious' mindset."
Olivia Haskins
6-4 // MB // NYC Juniors // New York, N.Y.
High School: Four-year varsity player at Marymount School of New York … Captain her senior year … Named to Prep Volleyball's Senior Aces "The 150" … Team MVP in 2017 and 2018 … Earned Tournament MVP and All-Tournament team at Cardozo … AAIS League All-Star … Helped her team to three undefeated season and two NYAIS Championships … Played club for NYC Juniors … Club team won five regional championships and qualified for nationals all seven years … Member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Barbara Marino and Tom Haskins … Born Olivia Gail Haskins … Father played football at Holy Cross and cousin currently plays football at Virginia … Enjoys playing with her dog, Louie … Anticipated major is art history.
Says Davis: "The size and athleticism of Olivia will be a tremendous advantage for our squad. Right now, she is an extremely physical blocker but it is also evident that she has plenty of future potential that will make her truly dangerous on the court."
The four-member class is highlighted by Temi Thomas-Ailara, who was named a 2018 Under Armour First Team All-American. In addition, the Class of 2023 includes a pair of Honorable Mention All-America picks in Becker and Cronister, as well as a PrepVolleyball.com Top-150 Senior Ace in Olivia Haskins.
"I couldn't be more excited to welcome these four to our Wildcat volleyball family," Davis said. "Every recruiting class is an opportunity to get better, and we got better today. I am eager to see the athleticism, strength, and mental fortitude that these players will exhibit day-in and day-out in our gym."
Details about each signee…
Temi Thomas-Ailara
6-2 // OH // Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy // Glenwood, Ill.
High School: Four-year letter winner … First Team Under Armour All-American in 2018 … Totaled 780 kills, 387 digs and 107 aces during her career at Marian Catholic High School … MaxPreps All-American in 2016 … Daily SouthTown All-Area First Team in 2016 and 2017 … Team MVP in 2016 and 2017 … Played for Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy … Was part of the 2018 USAV U17 National Championship team in the National Division … Secretary of the National Honor Society and was a member of the Spanish National Honor Society.
Personal: Born Temitayo Oluwatoyin Thomas-Ailara … Played with Northwestern recruit Charlotte Cronister in club … Played against current Wildcat Lexi Pitsas in high school and fellow signee Olivia Haskins during club … Anticipated major is biomedical engineering.
Says Davis: "Temi is a tenacious competitor with an athletic ability to match. She recently earned First-Team All-America honors, which puts her among the top-25 players in the nation, and we're excited to keep this homegrown talent close to home."
A First-Team Under Armour All-American.
— Northwestern Volleyball (@NUVball) November 14, 2018
Welcome @temi_t_ to the #B1GCats ???? pic.twitter.com/urRuQXDzbn
Desiree Becker
6-2 // MB // Legacy // DeWitt, Mich.
High School: Played four years on varsity, mostly as a middle blocker … Named team captain senior year … Finished with 308 kills, 176 digs, 71 aces and 48 blocks her senior year … Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention … Named to PrepVolleyball's Senior Ace "The 150" … Helped team to the state semi-finals her junior year … Played club volleyball at Legacy Volleyball Club … Finished ninth overall at the 2017 USAV Junior National 16 Open championships … Went to the same high school at 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber … Earned DeWitt High School Academic Excellence Award all four years … Member of the National Honor Society … Also played soccer.
Personal: Daughter of Jacqueline Moses and Joseph Becker … Born Desiree Denise-Marie Moses Becker … Played club volleyball with current Wildcats Tatyana Hardwick and Abryanna Cannon … Enjoys yoga and traveling … Anticipated major is psychology.
Says Davis: "Two words come to mind when I think about Desiree: aggressive and hungry. Especially when it comes to blocking, she has a tremendous mindset that helps her get the job done. In addition, she has great quickness and a huge arm, which will be a huge asset to our middle attack in the years to come."
A member of the @PrepVolleyball Senior Aces Top-150 list and a two-time team MVP...
— Northwestern Volleyball (@NUVball) November 14, 2018
Please welcome @desireeebecker to the #B1GCats family ???? pic.twitter.com/H9LAhvTVOt
Charlotte Cronister
5-7 // L // Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy // Chicago, Ill.
High School: Four-year varsity letter winner at Latin School of Chicago … Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention … Named to PrepVolleyball's Senior Ace "The 150" … Captain junior and senior years … 2018 Independent School League Player of the Year ... 2018 Latin Volleyball Team MVP ... Named ISL Player of the Year her junior year … Helped team to win the ISL Conference Championships and Regional Championships all four year … Registered 396 digs, 141 kills, 71 aces, 19 assists and nine blocks her senior year … Played club for Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy … Club team was the 2018 USAV National Champions in the 17 National Division … Also named a USAV 17U All-American … Also played soccer.
Personal: Daughter of Debra Sampey and Timothy Cronister … Born Charlotte Lauren Cronister … Mom played volleyball at George Williams and dad played soccer at Haverford … Sister Catie currently plays volleyball at Wofford … Played volleyball with fellow Northwestern signee Temi Thomas-Ailara … Anticipated major is environmental science and journalism.
Says Davis: "Charlotte will be a passionate and competitive member of our squad. She's a feisty, quick, and relentless defender who is a living embodiment of the 'calm is contagious' mindset."
A #HOMEGROWN libero and a feisty and quick defender.
— Northwestern Volleyball (@NUVball) November 14, 2018
Please welcome @charlottecroni9 to the #B1GCats ???? pic.twitter.com/j0KE6SPxtH
Olivia Haskins
6-4 // MB // NYC Juniors // New York, N.Y.
High School: Four-year varsity player at Marymount School of New York … Captain her senior year … Named to Prep Volleyball's Senior Aces "The 150" … Team MVP in 2017 and 2018 … Earned Tournament MVP and All-Tournament team at Cardozo … AAIS League All-Star … Helped her team to three undefeated season and two NYAIS Championships … Played club for NYC Juniors … Club team won five regional championships and qualified for nationals all seven years … Member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Barbara Marino and Tom Haskins … Born Olivia Gail Haskins … Father played football at Holy Cross and cousin currently plays football at Virginia … Enjoys playing with her dog, Louie … Anticipated major is art history.
Says Davis: "The size and athleticism of Olivia will be a tremendous advantage for our squad. Right now, she is an extremely physical blocker but it is also evident that she has plenty of future potential that will make her truly dangerous on the court."
And finally... A 6-foot-4 middle blocker from New York...
— Northwestern Volleyball (@NUVball) November 14, 2018
Please welcome Olivia Haskins to the #B1GCats! ???? pic.twitter.com/81zOD3agUc
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