CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois volleyball team received its fourth commitment in the Class of 2017 on Monday when Lexie Smith gave her verbal to join Kevin Hambly’s program.
Smith, a 5-foot-6 defensive specialist out of Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, is club teammates with fellow 2017 Illinois commit Emily Hollowell, a 6-3 outside/opposite hitter from Little Elm, Texas.
Illinois’ 2017 class also includes 6-4 middle blocker Megan Cooney out of Tecumseh, Kan., and 6-1 outside/opposite hitter Marijke Van Dyke out of Munster, Ind. Illinois now has nine total commitments in its 2016-18 classes.
Junior national team splits.