Three new student-athletes will join the ACC Champion Tar Heels.
May 22, 2002
Joe Sagula, head coach of the defending ACC Champion North Carolina volleyball team, announced Wednesday that three players -- McKenzie Byrd, Dani Nyenhuis, and Taylor Rayfield -- will join the team for the 2002 season. UNC has won three consecutive ACC volleyball titles (1999, 2000, 2001), made four successive trips to the NCAA tournament ('98 - '01) and looks to the future with these new additions to the program.
"This is an outstanding recruiting class with good balance, especially in the skill positions that will provide the needed depth for our 2002 season," Sagula says. "The quality of these three student-athletes will allow our program to continue to compete for ACC Championships and in NCAA play. They all come from the very best junior volleyball club programs in the country where they have learned to compete at the highest levels."
Byrd, a 5-11 setter, is from Glen Ellyn, Ill. She was an all-conference selection at Glen Ellyn South for her junior and senior years. As a captain in her senior year, Byrd was selected to the pre-season Chicago Tribune team, and was voted the MVP of her high school team.
Byrd plays for one of the top club programs in the country, Sport Performance. During the club season, McKenzie was on the USAV Junior Nationals all-tournament team, and played on the gold medal team for the club division in 2000. Byrd is the daughter of Dr. Terri Byrd, and her older sister Erin, is a senior volleyball player (OH) for the University of Wisconsin and plays for the USA A-2 National Team.
"McKenzie Byrd will be the setter for Carolina volleyball's future," Sagula says. "She brings outstanding skills and work ethic to the position. Her training knowledge, along with an intense dedication to the sport, places her well above most players. This, along with her physical play and size, will make her a force as a blocker and attacker, as well. But most importantly it will be McKenzie's leadership on the court that is so important for a setter, that is probably one of her strongest qualities."
Nyenhuis is a 6-0 outside hitter from St. Charles, Ill. She was selected as the 2001 Player of the Year in Illinois and the Gatorade Volleyball Player of the year, as well. Nyenhuis was the captain and led her St. Charles East High School team to the 2001 state championship in November 2001.
During her high school career, Nyenhuis won many awards including recently being named to Volleyball Magazine's Fab 50 list, and the Illinois' all state, all-tournament and all-conference teams.
Nyenhuis plays for one of the top junior programs in the country, the Sport Performance Volleyball Club. Sport Performance won the AAU championships in 1999 and 2000, and she was selected as an AAU All-America in 2001.
Nyenhuis is the daughter of Paul and Sue Nyenhuis and has a brother who plays football and will be a junior defensive end at the University of Colorado this fall.
"Dani Nyenhuis will become a force as player for UNC," says Sagula. "She is an outstanding athlete who is just beginning to show her potential. Dani is also one of the hardest hitters in the 202 national recruiting class. She can play strong side or opposite, is a strong blocker and has outstanding ball control. Dani's training experience and leadership as captain of one of the top junior programs (SPRI) will be another great asset that she will bring to our program."
Rayfield is a 5-9 defensive specialist from San Jose, Calif. Rayfield's Presentation High School team was Central Coast Section champions for 1998, 1999 and 2001, and in 2001, her team finished second in the Nor Cal Division.
Rayfield was selected All-League in the Blossom Valley Athletic Conference and Athlete of the Week by the San Jose News. She was also on the honor roll for the San Jose Mercury News.
Rayfield plays for the City Beach Volleyball Club that is considered the strongest team in northern California and seeded as one of the top-three teams for the 2002 Junior National Championship this June in Salt Lake City. Taylor is the daughter of Jemma Jack (who resides in San Jose, Calif.), and Gene Rayfield (who resides in Chapel Hill).
"Taylor Rayfield comes to UNC with great volleyball experience," Sagula says. "She is an excellent all-around player with great ball control. We have seen her at our camps for the past few years and are well aware of her strong skills. Her outstanding defensive play and ability to read hitters gives her the ability to make the big play on defense. She will add to the tradition of great defensive specialists, or in the new libero position, for Carolina's future.
"Each of these three players are the leaders of their respective teams," Sagula adds. "Their athleticism, dedication and leadership will allow us to maintain our strong traditions and remain a competitive program for years to come. We feel fortunate to have this group of quality young people as part of our program and representing our University."
McKenzie Byrd - Setter
5-11, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard South HS - Sport Performance VBC)
Dani Nyenhuis - Outside Hitter
6-0, St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles East HS - Sport Performance VBC)
Taylor Rayfield - Defensive Specialist
5-9, San Jose, Calif. (Presentation HS - City Beach VBC)