EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the start of his first season at the helm of the University of Evansville volleyball program just over two months away, head coach Zach Weinberg has announced seven signees to the Purple Aces squad.
“With at least one player in each position, this class will provide us with a ton of depth and versatility across the board,” Weinberg said. “I am excited to get these seven integrated into our team and culture and see how they impact our growth on the court. Go Aces!”
McKenzie Laubach – Middle Blocker – Sanford, Fla.
Following two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, McKenzie Laubach makes her way to Evansville in 2025. A native of Sanford, Fla., Laubach played in a total of seven matches in her first two collegiate campaigns with the Colonels.
She graduated from Lake Mary High School in 2023 and enjoyed a stellar career that saw her earn First Team All-Seminole Athletic Conference honors as a senior. In her final high school season, Laubach accumulated 155 kills, 90 blocks, 93 digs, and 45 service aces while leading her team to a district championship. Included in that tally was a 16-kill performance versus Lyman HS. Named her team’s MVP in her final campaign, Laubach was named to the Top 100 Watch List and was invited to the All-American Camp.
As a junior in 2021, she recorded 133 kills, 85 digs, 75 blocks, and 20 aces while earning Second Team All-Conference recognition. Aside from earning four letters in volleyball, she was a 2-year letterwinner in varsity cheer and helped her team win state championships in 2020 and 2021.
Coach Weinberg on Laubach: “McKenzie will be a great addition to our middle blocker group, but she also provides us with a ton of versatility across the front row, having played every attacking position at some point in her career. Her heavy arm and the ability to run all sorts of offensive routes will position her to score lots of points for us.”
Makenzie Miller – Middle Blocker – Kansas City, Mo.
Makenzie Miller posted an impressive 290 kills in her senior season at Liberty North HS on her way to numerous accolades in 2024. Included in those honors were All-District First Team, All-Conference First Team, AVCA Regional Team, Academic Team recognition, and Liberty North Offensive Player of the Year. She hit .249 in her final season while registering 65 blocks.
In her junior season, Miller finished with 135 kills, 65 blocks, and a .296 hitting tally. Along with All-District and All-Conference recognition, she was named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List. Her team took second place in the Missouri Class 5 State Championship. Miller was a KMBC Athletic Scholarship Award recipient. Some of her top high school performances include 14 kills and a .737 hitting tally against Staley and a 17-kill match while hitting .520 versus Lee’s Summit North.
Coach Weinberg on Miller: “Mak's length and versatility will benefit our gym immediately. She is a very cerebral middle blocker with a high volleyball IQ, and her ability to score off of two feet will enhance our gym immediately, and her blocking presence will instantly put pressure on opposing offenses.”
Hinsley Everett – Outside Hitter – Norris City, Ill.
Reigning All-South Player of the Year Hinsley Everett makes the short trek from Norris City, Ill. to Evansville. Named a First Team All-State player as both a junior and senior, Everett put up stellar statistics in her final two years at NCOE High School.
In her senior campaign, Everett finished with 326 kills, 76 blocks, 54 aces, and 113 digs while hitting .434. She recorded an even higher kill total as a junior posting 369. Aside from garnering All-State recognition, Everett earned the Offensive Award in her final two years while garnering Defensive Award honors as a sophomore.
Coach Weinberg on Everett: “Hinsley is a dynamic attacker who comes from a family of volleyball players. She is a physical attacker with experience on both Pins, and I expect her to make an instant impact on our pin group.”
Brooke Herdes – Outside Hitter – Evansville, Ind.
Evansville native Brooke Herdes signs with the UE program from Mater Dei HS where she earned four letters in volleyball along with two in basketball and two in lacrosse. A team captain with her squad, Herdes reached the 1,000-kill mark in her career.
Herdes picked up numerous accolades during her high school career including Academic All-City, Academic All-State, First and Second Team All-Metro, and Indiana South Team. She was a nominee for Player of the Year.
Coach Weinberg on Herdes: “When it comes to the freshman outsides, if Hinsley is the Thunder, then Brooke is the lightning. She is crafty with her attacking and her ball control will bring some stability to our gym.”
Ryan Scheu – Right Side - Evansville, Ind.
Ryan Scheu comes to UE following a successful career at Memorial HS. A 3-time letterwinner in volleyball, Scheu lettered four times in lacrosse, and once in bowling and track/field. Scheu put forth the top season of her career as a senior in 2024 accumulating 427 kills and 18 blocks following a junior season that saw her post 181 kills and 41 blocks.
Scheu put forth some of her top performances when it mattered most, totaling 28 kills against Heritage Hills and 27 versus Boonville in the 2025 Sectionals. Memorial was the Sectional champion in each of her three seasons. She was named a First Team All-SIAC and Academic All-State player in volleyball. Her lacrosse accolades were even more impressive as she was named a Second Team All-State player along with earning a spot on the North/South All-Star Team.
Coach Weinberg on Scheu: “Ryan will slot into our right-side group, but she'll cross-train on both pins. She is a dynamic athlete with a high touch point, and her high motor will allow her to grow quickly to the advanced level of play.”
Kendall Agler – Libero – Evansville, Ind.
Kendall Agler is the second signee from Memorial HS to join the Purple Aces squad. Agler spent four years with the volleyball team earning letters in her final two seasons. She was a Second Team All-Conference honoree while garnering Academic All-State accolades. The 3-time Defensive Player Award winner was also the recipient of the Volleyball Kiwanis Award.
Agler contributed to three Sectional Championships with Memorial. Aside from volleyball, Agler earned three letters in track while playing one season of basketball.
Coach Weinberg on Agler: “Kendall is a gritty defender who doesn't like to see balls hit the floor. We will rely on her to help stabilize our serve receive instantly along with Maddie and Ainoah, has the ability to play any of the back row positions. Kendall's grit and drive will be felt in our gym immediately.”
Brynne Krangnes – Setter – Collierville, Tenn.
Brynne Krangnes posted 963 assists as a senior at Collierville HS on her way to multiple accolades. She completed her career as a 2-time District 15 All-District Team honoree, 2024 Collierville HS Varsity Volleyball Most Valuable Player, 2023 Collierville HS Varsity Volleyball Player of the Year, and multiple tournament MVP honors.
Her team finished in the top eight in the State of Tennessee in all three of her seasons with the program. Krangnes also participated in USAV Nationals each year.
Coach Weinberg on Krangnes: “Brynne will add to our setter depth and gives us more options in our gym. She is a good defensive setter and should have no problem grasping our offensive system.” |
