KENOSHA, Wis. – The Parkside volleyball team and head coach
Leigh Barea have announced the signing of seven future student-athletes, who will join the team for the 2022 Fall season. Cassie Alsum, Lydia Biggin, Mariena Coon, Ava Irvin, Marisa Lootens, Lily Ray and Kendal Zeiter make up the 2022 recruiting class for Parkside volleyball.
Cassie Alsum | OH/DS | 5'9 | Randolph, Wis. | Randolph HS
Barea on Alsum – "The first moment that we talked to Cassie, we were impressed by her focus, drive and confidence as a volleyball player. She has been a leader on her teams her whole career and will bring an upbeat and competitive spirit to our gym. As a volleyball player, she is eager to learn and has a lot of potential as an attacker and with her ball control."
High School
- 3-time All State Honorable Mention
- 3-time First Team All-Conference
- Conference Player of the Year as a Senior
- 3-year varsity captain
- Coaches' Award winner as a senior
- Helped Randolph win conference all four years of her career
- Also won WIAA Regionals three times
- Honor roll student
Personal
- Daughter of Mark and Sarah
- Has four siblings, Kenneth, Paige, Desire and Tyson
- Paige played volleyball at Madison Area Technical College
- Plans to major in criminal justice and psychology
Lydia Biggin | RS | 5'9 | Burlington, Wis. | Burlington HS
Barea on Biggin – "We have been watching Lydia for many years and the growth she has made physically and as a volleyball player is very impressive as a high school athlete. She is a lefty with all the shots and comes from one of the best volleyball programs and cultures in our area."
High School
- Second Team All-State as a senior and Honorable Mention All-State as a junior
- Conference Player of the Year
- Racine County Player of the Year
- All-Racine County Team
- First Team All-Conference
- Helped her team reach the WIAA State Tournament three times, including a runner-up appearance in 2020
- Led Burlington to three straight Conference Championships
- Honor roll student
- Member of the National Honors Society
Personal
- Daughter of Monica and David
- Has three siblings, Abby, Kathryn and Emma
- Her aunt, Shelly Biggin, played volleyball at UW-Whitewater
- Plans to major in Kinesiology
Mariena Coon | MB | 6'2 | Franklin, Wis. | Oak Creek HS
Barea on Coon – "We are very excited about Mariena's future. She is a middle blocker with a ton of potential and the drive to learn and get better in all facets of the position. Her personality and teammate traits are going to be a great addition to our culture."
High School
- Named First Team All-Conference
- Led her conference in blocks, hitting percentage and middle kills
- Team MVP
- Team Most Improved Player
- Helped her team make a WIAA State Tournament appearance
- Led Oak Creek to three straight conference championships
- Honor roll student
Personal
- Daughter of Kelly and Ryan
- Had two siblings, Elle and Jonathan
- Jonathan played football at Wisconsin
- Plans to major in Biology
Ava Irvin | OH | 5'10 | Rockford, Ill. | Belvidere North HS
Barea on Irvin – "Ava is already an elite volleyball player, but has a huge ceiling that we are excited to tap into. Her work ethic on and off the court along with her leadership skills is going to make a huge impact on our program."
High School
- First Team All Conference
- 3-time Conference Champion
- 2019 Regional and Sectional Champion
- Honor Roll student
Personal
- Daughter of Jason and Katie Irvin
- Two siblings, Jourdan and Julia
- Plans to major in Nursing
Marisa Lootens | RS/OH/S | 5'10 | Omaha, Nebraska | Millard North
Barea on Lootens – "Marisa is the definition of versatility. She has the ability to play multiple positions at an extremely high level. Her volleyball IQ and team first attitude is something that is going to be a great addition to our team"
High School
- 2020 All State Honorable Mention
- 2019 3rd place in State Volleyball
- 2-time District Runner-Up
- 2021 Academic All-State
- In 2021, led her team in Kills, Hitting Percentage, Blocks, Aces, and Assists
Personal
- Daughter of Mike Lootens
- One sibling, Sam
Lily Ray | S | 5'10 | Plainfield, Ill. | Joliet Catholic Academy
Barea on Ray – "Lily is a natural setter with great hands and a composed, yet competitive demeanor. Her passion for Parkside and being a part of our program was so clear in the recruiting process and we are excited she is going to be a Ranger."
High School
- 2019 AAU All-American; academically and athletically
- AVCA Phenom Watchlist
- 2021 IHSA Regional, Sectional, and Super-Sectional Champion
- National Honor Society
Personal
- Daughter of Jeff and Michelle Ray
- Two siblings, Christopher and Bella
- Sister plays Volleyball at Lewis University
Kendal Zeiter | OH | 6'2 | Troy, Mich. |Troy High School
Barea on Zeiter – "We are very excited to have Kendal at Parkside and joining our team as well as Women's Basketball. She is a special athlete that is going to do great things for both of our programs. She is an up-and-coming volleyball player and continues to get better every time she steps on the court. It is so unique to be a multi-sport collegiate athlete, but if anyone could handle it, it is Kendal!"
High School
- Named First Team All-League
- Big East All-Tournament Team
- 2021-22 Offensive Player of the Year
- 2-time Basketball All-State Honorable Mention
Personal
- Daughter of Jill and Rusty Zeiter
- Two siblings, Reagan & Maci
- Plans to major in Sports Management
