University of North Texas Athletics
Volleyball Adds Five 2020 Signees
11/15/2019 3:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON – North Texas volleyball added five 2020 recruits on signing day. The class features two Texas products and three out-of-state signees. Hawaii, Kansas and Louisiana are also represented in the crop of new players joining the Mean Green.
The Mean Green added two outside hitters, a middle blocker, setter and libero, including
"We're really excited about this class," head coach Andrew Palileo said. "Gino and Carrie did a good job of putting this class together. It's a good blend of positions that we'll need. I think this is a group that can elevate our team next season."
Emily Ah Leong, Libero – Boswell HS – Fort Worth, TX
A 5'8 libero from Fort Worth, Ah Leong will stay close to home to play her collegiate ball. A four-year varsity starter, Ah Leong was also a team captain in 2018 and 2019. She played both club indoor and club sand volleyball. She was also named a to the 2019 Under Armor All-American Watch List . Ah Leong was considered one of the top 150 seniors in the nation by PrepVolleyball in 2019, and will finish her high school career with over 1,000 kills, 2000 digs and 250 aces. She was an academic all-district selection all four years in high school, and picked up AAU Academic All-American honors in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
"Emily will have the opportunity to compete right away," Palileo said. "She brings a defensive game that translates well at this level and has a passion to keep getting better."
In sand volleyball, she qualified for AAU Jr Olympics and nationals four years in a row, and was named to the 2015 JVA Beach Elite Player Watchlist. Ah Leong has experience in the USA Olympic Pipeline program, serving as a team captain in 2017 and winning a bronze medal at High Performance Women's International Championships in the same year.
Mikeila "Pua" Beazley, Setter – Maryknoll HS – Kane'ohe, HI
Keeping up with Palileo's ties to home, Beazley will join the Mean Green from Hawaii. A 5'9 setter from the island of O'ahu, she was named as a state volleyball honorable mention. Beazley shines on the court and in the classroom, being named to the principal and president's honors list in all four quarters of each year of her high school career.
She played her club ball with Rainbows Volleyball Club – Hawaii.
"Pua will be a great addition to our team and have the opportunity to come in and compete for the setting position," Palileo said. "She has the leadership required to compete at this level. Being an early admit for spring 2020, she will jump start the process of learning our systems."
Truli Joseph, Outside Hitter – East Ascension HS – Gonzales, LA
A 5'10 outside hitter from Louisiana, Joseph was first team All-District her sophomore and junior year, and is expected to be honored again in her senior season. She was also named to the larger All-Metro team in her sophomore and junior season, picking up first team honors. Joseph was named an area all-star in 2019. She was also an honor roll student in all four years of high school.
"Truli will add athleticism and competitiveness to our gym, and makes jumping look easy," Palileo said. "She has tremendous potential to be a weapon at our level, and a work ethic to get her there."
Halle Jackson, Middle Blocker – Washburn Rural HS – Topeka, KS
Jackson, a 6'2 middle from Kansas is an honor roll student, and was named All-Academic First Team as a sophomore. Also in her sophomore season, Jackson and her team finished third in the state tournament. During prep volleyball, she was named one of the best players in the U17 group at USA Nationals.
"She will add additional depth, size and athleticism to the middle position," Palileo said. "I love the intensity of her play, and look forward to working with her in the fall."
Kenzie Smith, Outside Hitter– Edgewood HS – Edgewood, TX
The second Texan and outside hitter in the 2020 class, a 6'1 outside hitter, Smith hails from east Texas. A captain in her senior season, she was named All-Tournament in a home hosted tournament. In 2018-19, Smith was named All-District MVP, All-State Honorable Mention, and was named team MVP twice as a captain. In club volleyball, she won USA Club Nationals in the 17U group.
"Kenzie is a high character person that brings a passion to the court," Palileo said. "She has a love for our game that will take her far. She has a strong arm that accompanies a solid jump that should translate nicely in our conference."
She was a three-year captain for Edgewood, the district Hitter of the Year in 2017-18, and an all-district honorable mention in 2016-17.
The Mean Green added two outside hitters, a middle blocker, setter and libero, including
"We're really excited about this class," head coach Andrew Palileo said. "Gino and Carrie did a good job of putting this class together. It's a good blend of positions that we'll need. I think this is a group that can elevate our team next season."
Emily Ah Leong, Libero – Boswell HS – Fort Worth, TX
A 5'8 libero from Fort Worth, Ah Leong will stay close to home to play her collegiate ball. A four-year varsity starter, Ah Leong was also a team captain in 2018 and 2019. She played both club indoor and club sand volleyball. She was also named a to the 2019 Under Armor All-American Watch List . Ah Leong was considered one of the top 150 seniors in the nation by PrepVolleyball in 2019, and will finish her high school career with over 1,000 kills, 2000 digs and 250 aces. She was an academic all-district selection all four years in high school, and picked up AAU Academic All-American honors in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
"Emily will have the opportunity to compete right away," Palileo said. "She brings a defensive game that translates well at this level and has a passion to keep getting better."
In sand volleyball, she qualified for AAU Jr Olympics and nationals four years in a row, and was named to the 2015 JVA Beach Elite Player Watchlist. Ah Leong has experience in the USA Olympic Pipeline program, serving as a team captain in 2017 and winning a bronze medal at High Performance Women's International Championships in the same year.
Mikeila "Pua" Beazley, Setter – Maryknoll HS – Kane'ohe, HI
Keeping up with Palileo's ties to home, Beazley will join the Mean Green from Hawaii. A 5'9 setter from the island of O'ahu, she was named as a state volleyball honorable mention. Beazley shines on the court and in the classroom, being named to the principal and president's honors list in all four quarters of each year of her high school career.
She played her club ball with Rainbows Volleyball Club – Hawaii.
"Pua will be a great addition to our team and have the opportunity to come in and compete for the setting position," Palileo said. "She has the leadership required to compete at this level. Being an early admit for spring 2020, she will jump start the process of learning our systems."
Truli Joseph, Outside Hitter – East Ascension HS – Gonzales, LA
A 5'10 outside hitter from Louisiana, Joseph was first team All-District her sophomore and junior year, and is expected to be honored again in her senior season. She was also named to the larger All-Metro team in her sophomore and junior season, picking up first team honors. Joseph was named an area all-star in 2019. She was also an honor roll student in all four years of high school.
"Truli will add athleticism and competitiveness to our gym, and makes jumping look easy," Palileo said. "She has tremendous potential to be a weapon at our level, and a work ethic to get her there."
Halle Jackson, Middle Blocker – Washburn Rural HS – Topeka, KS
Jackson, a 6'2 middle from Kansas is an honor roll student, and was named All-Academic First Team as a sophomore. Also in her sophomore season, Jackson and her team finished third in the state tournament. During prep volleyball, she was named one of the best players in the U17 group at USA Nationals.
"She will add additional depth, size and athleticism to the middle position," Palileo said. "I love the intensity of her play, and look forward to working with her in the fall."
Kenzie Smith, Outside Hitter– Edgewood HS – Edgewood, TX
The second Texan and outside hitter in the 2020 class, a 6'1 outside hitter, Smith hails from east Texas. A captain in her senior season, she was named All-Tournament in a home hosted tournament. In 2018-19, Smith was named All-District MVP, All-State Honorable Mention, and was named team MVP twice as a captain. In club volleyball, she won USA Club Nationals in the 17U group.
"Kenzie is a high character person that brings a passion to the court," Palileo said. "She has a love for our game that will take her far. She has a strong arm that accompanies a solid jump that should translate nicely in our conference."
She was a three-year captain for Edgewood, the district Hitter of the Year in 2017-18, and an all-district honorable mention in 2016-17.
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