NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The Notre Dame volleyball team has signed Sammi Lockwood, Caroline Meuth and Kiara Schmidt to national letters of intent for the early signing period, according to an announcement made by Notre Dame head coach Mike Johnson. All three will join the program in the fall of 2019.
“We are certainly very excited about the 2019 class. We firmly believe in the future of the Notre Dame program and these three have the ability to play a big part in that,” said Johnson. “Each are talented players with good physical ability. We are very deliberate in regards to the character and values of whom we recruit, and we have found the right character fit. Each of these young women come from wonderful families who have raised them well. If this group puts in the necessary work and continues to move forward on a daily basis, they can each become excellent players who will help lead Notre Dame to national prominence.”
Meuth is a 6-0 outside hitter from Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas. She was honored as an Under Armour All-America First Team selection while ranking #59 on PrepVolleyball.com’s Senior Aces List. Meuth was also named PrepVolleyball.com’s National Player of the Week on October 11.
Meuth has racked up 652 kills, 5.3 kills per set and a .347 hitting percentage as a senior. She also broke the school record for most kills in a single match with 35 on October 5, 2018. This season, Meuth became the only player ever to be named LoneStarVolleyball.com’s State Player of the Week twice in one campaign.
“Caroline is a special girl in many ways. She is a powerful athlete who can hit the ball as hard as anyone in the country,” said Johnson. “She has shown the courage and the willingness to take a big swing, and that combined with her physical gifts will allow her to score points at the very highest level. Beyond that, Caroline has shown a commitment towards becoming a complete volleyball player. We will challenge her on a daily basis to become the very best she can become in every phase of the game. What impresses me most about Caroline is the intensity and energy that she brings to the floor. She has a tremendous heart and that can have a big impact on those around her. Caroline has also shown a tremendous dedication to the value of team. While she has deservedly collected many accolades over the course of her prep career, she has always given the credit to those around her. We can’t wait to coach Caroline.”
Lockwood is a 6-3 middle blocker out of Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Illinois. A 2018 Under Armour All-American Second Team selection, Lockwood has averaged three kills per set with a .407 hitting percentage as a senior in 2018.
Lockwood, also ranked #87 on PrepVolleyball.com’s Senior Aces list, has earned All-Fox Valley Conference honors while serving as team captain as a senior. She has also received varsity letters in basketball and track at Prairie Ridge.
“Sammi goes hard. If there is one thing that great middles have, it’s a motor that runs hot,” said Johnson. “She always plays hard and that is the first, most necessary ingredient towards becoming great. Sammi has wonderful physical gifts and her greatest attribute is the ability to hit the slide. Great teams have a middle who is capable of spreading the floor and Sammi certainly can do that. As she refines her mechanics and develops the necessary eye-work, she can also become an elite defensive player. Sammi has shown that she wants to be pushed at the very highest level and we will challenge her every day to help her become the player that she wants to become. I have enjoyed watching Sammi’s development over the past two seasons and we looking forward to being in the gym with her.”
Schmidt is a 5-6 libero out of Murrieta Mesa High School in Murrieta, California. Schmidt has totaled a school-record 1,426 digs throughout her high school career and leads the Southwestern League with 428 digs in 2018.
Schmidt, who is averaging 5.3 digs per set as a senior, also holds the Murrieta Mesa mark for most digs in a single match with 47. She has been named to the Southwestern League All-Scholastic Team three times.
“Kiara is a hidden gem. She is a no-nonsense, no-drama, player who cares deeply about becoming great,” said Johnson. “She wants to be challenged at the very highest level and is willing to do all of the little things that it takes. Many people want to become great. Few will put in the work behind the scenes to make it happen. Kiara will, and I anticipate that she will quickly earn the respect of her teammates because of how she carries herself. What separates Kiara is the ability to pass the ball. She has a very good platform. Her mechanics are already very good for this stage of her development and she has a good touch. We have high expectations for Kiara and look for her to become an elite passer and defender. We are very excited to have Kiara join the program.”
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