Volleyball | May 22, 2023

AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken, in conjunction with head volleyball coach Glenn Cox, is excited to announce the addition of four student-athletes for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.

Gyöngyvér Araczki, Alli Bishop, Lexi Rogers and Rory Schuler will continue their athletic and academic careers at USC Aiken beginning this fall.

"I am really excited for this incoming group of signees," Cox stated. "All four bring in high-level experience and skills to their relative positions, but if I had to describe them all with one word, it would be 'Energy!' The three incoming freshman all came to camp last summer and finally got to meet each other in person.  When they got on the court together for the first time it was immediately evident that we had found a very special energy and chemistry that was going to be fun to watch for the next four years. When Gyongyver came to visit and practiced with the team that same 'Energy' was clearly present. We return a talented group of student-athletes that know what it takes to make it to the PBC Tournament Championship and the NCAA Tournament from this past season and these four newcomers will make an immediate impact to the talent level and energy we plan to unleash this fall."  
 
Araczki, a native of Bekescaba, Hungary, attended Cowley County C.C. The 5-10 middle blocker was a two-time all-region selection and a two-time all-league performer. The rising junior set the school record with a .455 attack percentage. Araczki tallied 347 kills as a sophomore while hitting .448 and had 264 kills with a .461 attack percentage as a freshman. She also picked up Cowley Invitational all-tournament team accolades.

"Gyongyver is a dynamic middle that brings in two years of high-level NJCAA DII experience," Cox said. "She just so happens to lead all of NJCAA DII in hitting percentage at .448 so we are fully expecting to see her add some serious firepower to our lineup of talent in the middle. "Gynongyer spent the past two years playing for a long time coaching friend Steven Gream, who has built the Cowley College program into a national powerhouse.  Former Pacer standout setter Caroline Foster also played two years at Cowley and we are excited and thankful to be continuing the pipeline of talent Steven has trained up and sent us." 

Bishop, a native of Chesterfield, Mo., attended Westminster Christian Academy. The 6-0 right side hitter earned All-America honorable mention honors her senior season. A two-time first-team all-state and all-conference selection, Bishop was a three-time all-district honoree. She hit over .350 as a senior and over .300 her junior campaign.

"Alli is going to be an imposing force on the right side for us both blocking and hitting," Cox stated. "Alli is a tall, talented lefty that has years of high-level open club experience and training while playing for HP St Louis. Alli's offensive firepower and intimidating block will surely give our opponents some insurmountable problems." 

Rogers, a native of Moore, S.C., attended Byrnes H.S. The 5-9 outside hitter picked up AVCA All-America honorable mention honors as a senior. The AVCA all-region selection garnered Class 5-A State Player of the Year honors. Rogers was an all-state honoree as a senior and was named the Female Athlete of the Year at her school. A four-time all-region selection, Rogers posted over 1,000 kills and 500 digs throughout her career. She tallied 4.7 kills/set while hitting .298 as a senior. Overall, she had 461 kills her senior campaign. Bishop was an AVCA Best and Brightest first-team honoree and was a member of the National Honors Society. 

"Lexi is a solid multidimensional six-rotation outside hitter that will definitely raise our level of firepower on the pin and overall ball control," Cox said. Lexi was our first verbal commitment for the 2023 class and we have truly enjoyed watching her develop while playing high level open club for Stars Sports for a number of years." 

Schuler is a native of Richmond Hill, Ga. The 5-5 libero/defensive specialist was a four-time all-region honoree. She helped her team establish a school record for wins while winning the Class 7-A Region Championship. Schuler finished her career with 1,233 assists, 653 digs and 144 aces. She guided her team to a region championship as a sophomore. The All-Greater Savannah Region honoree played club ball for OTVA 18 J John, helping the team to a No. 5 national ranking by PrepVolleyball. 

"Rory will bring in a wealth of high-level open club experience and has the full skill set of a great defender and passer," Cox stated. "Her OTVA club team was coached by a good friend, John Goings. John has surely gotten her ready for the next level and will be a great addition to our scrappy defensive lineup."