Beach Volleyball Announces Four Newcomers to 2021 Squad
Carson-Newman Beach Volleyball Head Coach Cat Lind announced the addition of four athletes to the roster for the 2021 season on Wednesday.
VIDEO: Cat Lind Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Beach Volleyball Head Coach Cat Lind announced the addition of four athletes to the roster for the 2021 season on Wednesday.
Pilar Daugherty, Alyssa Johnson, Alanis Mendez and Sierra Still will suit up for the Eagles this spring who began the 2020 season 6-1, the best start in program history, before the COVID-19 pandemic lead to the cancellation of spring sports.
"We're going to have a very successful season, and a lot of it has to do with our newcomers," says Lind. "They do a great job of leading themselves and are able to go out on the court and take a leadership role no matter what position."
Pilar Daugherty – Las Cruces, N.M. – Onate High School – Yavapai Junior College – 5-9 - @pilargabrielle_
Prior to Carson-Newman: Daugherty transfers to Mossy Creek from Yavapai College leading the club to a 20-6 overall record and five wins over top 20 teams including a four-set triumph over No. 1 College of Southern Idaho on Aug. 24 where she handed out 40 assists adding nine digs and three kills. She averaged 8.79 assists per set with 1,626 total helpers adding 3.26 digs per set and 99 total blocks. She finished the 2019 season with a dozen double-doubles eclipsing 30 assists 11 times. Daugherty posted seven double-doubles during her first season with the Rough Riders tallying 19 efforts with at least 30 assists.
Among her honors at Yavapai, she was a two-time NJCAA First-Team All-Academic selection, all-conference and all-tournament pick winning a region title in 2019.
HIGH SCHOOL: Daugherty averaged a triple-double in assists, kills and digs earning all-district distinction. The Las Cruces, N.M. native was a star in track and field winning three championships in the shot put. She was also a member of the National Honor Society.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Lorraine Daugherty. Her brother, Zach, played football at New Mexico in the early 2010s. Intends to major in Sports Management.
Alyssa Johnson – Phoenix, Ariz. – Desert Vista High School – 5-5 - @alyssayjohnson
HIGH SCHOOL: Was captain of the Desert Vista beach volleyball team. Was part of the most winning season in Desert Vista Beach program history. Was named One Beach Arizona Senior Captain. Multi-time BVCA and AAU National Championships Qualifier. Played first two seasons of indoor volleyball at University High School in Normal, Ill. Named Central State 8 All-Academic while at UHS.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Chad Johnson and Toyoka Nishihara. 2019 and 2020 Desert Vista Beach Dr. Voie Stuart Chase Coy Team Scholar-Athlete Award winner at Desert Vista. Won the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Minority Academic Achievement Award at University High School. Member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta (Math National Honor Society). Intends to major in Nursing.
Alanis Mendez – Gurnee, Ill. – Neuqua Valley High School – 5-1
HIGH SCHOOL: Was named 2016 team MVP on the Neuqua Valley volleyball team
PERSONAL: Daughter of Fernando Mendez and Waleska Munoz. Won the Neuqa Valley High School Leadership Award. Undecided on major.
Sierra Still – Julian, N.C. – Southeast Guilford High School – 5-8 - @sierrastill1
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a four-time all-conference member while at Southeast Guilford High School. Holds conference and team record in Aces in indoor volleyball with 365. Was named team rookie of the year her freshman season. Was named three-time team MVP.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Scott and Dawn Still. Four-time Academic All-Conference team member. Intends to major in Exercise Science
