Grand Valley State head volleyball coach Deanne Scanlon has announced the signing of seven student-athletes that will begin their collegiate careers at GVSU at the start of the 2015 season. Staci Brower (Byron Center), Jillian Butsavich (Milford), Madilyn Keller (Hudsonville), Brooke Smith (Croswell), and Taylor Stewart (Macomb) are all in-state prospects that will come in as freshmen in the fall. Transfers Amanda Glaza (Grand Rapids Community College) and Danielle McCormick (Indiana State) are on campus this semester and help form the newest group of Laker volleyball players.
 
Head coach Deanne Scanlon will enter her 21^st season at the helm of the Laker program in 2015 and feels that this incoming class is a strong one. "With the graduation of six seniors, all of whom had a significant impact on our program," Scanlon explained, "needless to say, the face of Grand Valley State volleyball is literally going to change next year."
 
"The 2015 class is a mix of players from all positions who have the talent, passion, and work ethic to immediately contribute and assist in retaining our status as a top Division II volleyball program."
 
Brower led Byron Center to the 2014 district championship, as well as the OK Green conference title, being named an all-state honoree for the second straight year. This past year, Brower was a First Team All-State Class A award winner. Compiling 1,637 kills and over 400 total blocks during her four-year career, she was a four-time all-conference selection during her time with the Bulldogs, while twice earning all-region mention. Brower and Byron Center won 115 matches from 2011-14, as the 6'2" middle blocker recorded 543 and 588 kills, respectively, as a junior and senior. She is a four-year member of Byron Center's student council and has played basketball throughout her high school career.
 
"At 6'2", Staci will bring a physical presence to our team both as a dominating blocker and attacker," Scanlon noted. "She has the potential to immediately become a major force in the GLIAC and Division II."
 
Butsavich - a 6'3" middle blocker - was the team captain of the 2014 Milford team that won the Holt Invitational Tournament en route to capturing the district championship as a senior. Butsavich twice earned all-conference honors in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association and received the distinguished offensive player award in 2012. She was a four-time all-academic selection, played two years of basketball, and worked on the school's yearbook while at Milford.
 
"Another physical player at 6'3", Jillian is an explosive middle with quick feet and a high jump touch," Scanlon commented. "She has unlimited potential and could see time on the right side, as well, because of her intimidating blocking abilities."
 
Keller won titles during each of her final three years at Hudsonville, helping the Eagles to an overall record of 129-56-3 in that span. During Hudsonville's regional finalist finish in 2014, the Eagles went 36-17-2 and also captured a district championship, while Keller earned All-State Class A Second Team honors. The 5'11" Keller recorded 452 kills, 385 digs, and 53 aces in 2014. That followed a 2013 campaign when the Eagles were 50-14-1 and won the OK Red conference title, with Keller totaling 388 kills, 329 digs, 76 aces, and 66 total blocks. Hudsonville also won the district championship in 2012. During her career, Keller earned all-conference honors twice, as well as being named all-region and all-area. She is playing her fourth year of basketball this season for Hudsonville.
 
"Madi has attended GVSU volleyball camps since she was in junior high school," explained Scanlon. "She has a high volleyball IQ, along with a vibrant personality that will bring a lot of energy and excitement to our gym."
 
Playing for Croswell-Lexington, Smith was a two-time Blue Water Area Conference most valuable player, as well as her team's MVP. Smith also was honored as a Second Team All-State Class B award winner. She collected 747 kills, 442 digs, and hit .449 during the 2014 season, when the Pioneers went 43-8-4 and won the conference championship. In 2013, Smith tallied 487 kills and 480 digs, while also hitting .388, again as Croswell-Lexington collected the league title. She recorded 1,582 kills and 1,265 digs in her final three years. During both the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Smith was named to the all-state and all-BWAC teams, in addition to her conference most valuable player honors. She is a three-time all-academic selection. The 5'11" Smith also played basketball and softball during her time at Croswell-Lexington.
 
"Brooke is a six-rotation outside hitter with an explosive jump and ability to terminate," described Scanlon. "Her dedication to weight room workouts and conditions will make her transition to the college game seamless."
 
Stewart is a 5'9" setter at Utica Eisenhower and helped the Eagles win three conference championships, as well as the 2012 district title. She was the Macomb Area Conference White most valuable player in 2014, dishing out 1,032 assists and recording 568 digs and 236 kills for the Eagles. She finished 2014 as a Third Team All-State Class A selection. That year, Utica Eisenhower was 45-9-1 and Stewart was an all-region and all-county selection, in addition to being named team captain and most valuable player. The Eagles were 38-9 in 2013 when Stewart totaled 926 assists, 367 digs, and 117 kills. She again received first team all-conference honors in 2013, the same year she was tabbed an all-region and all-county honoree. A former soccer player, Stewart is a member of National Honors Society at Utica Eisenhower.
 
"All of Taylor's coaches describe her in the same way - that she is the heart and soul of the team," Scanlon mentioned. "Her primary position at GVSU will be a setter, but she has been called upon to play all positions at some point in her career."
 
Glaza, a libero from Rockford, picked up a team-high 469 digs (4.11 per set) for GRCC last season and was aced just nine times in 33 matches. She also finished third on the Raiders in assists (86) and service aces (24), as GRCC won the regional title for the fifth straight season and the league championship for the sixth year in a row. Glaza was a vital part of a Raider team that put together a 27-6 overall record and a 14-0 conference mark. At the conclusion of the year, she was named to the MCCAA Western Conference Second Team. In her freshman season of 2013, she recorded 614 digs in 41 matches, while adding 130 assists and 38 aces. That season, GRCC again won the regional title and finished in sixth place at the national tournament. She was a Second Team All-Conference honoree in 2013, as well.
 
"After a successful career at GRCC, Amanda will be competing for the libero position and I'm excited to have her with us this spring," Scanlon pointed out. "Our defense and serve receive were the anchors to our success last fall and I feel confident in Amanda's ability to bring those skills to the gym."
 
McCormick, an outside hitter originally from Ann Arbor, redshirted at Indiana State last season. She was a First Team All-State selection in 2013 at Notre Dame Preparatory, following Third Team All-State recognition in 2012. Also an honorable mention All-American choice, McCormick earned three letters at Notre Dame Prep and was also named to All-Conference, All-Region, and All-Catholic teams. She was named the team's Most Improved Player in 2012 and received the Fighting Irish Award for spirit and leadership in 2013.
 
"Dani comes from a dominant high school program at Notre Dame Prep and redshirted last fall at Indiana State," remarked Scanlon. "By transferring at the semester and being on campus for the spring, Dani will have the opportunity to train and learn our system so she will be able to hit the ground running in the fall."
 
Grand Valley State finished 27-6 in 2014 and earned its sixth NCAA Final Four appearance in the past 14 seasons. The Lakers swept through the Midwest Region tournament in Allendale, winning all nine sets en route to the regional championship. GVSU is also the back-to-back defending GLIAC regular season champion.