WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermakers' class of incoming freshman was listed as No. 7 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com. The group, including middle blocker Blake Mohler (Ocean Springs, Miss.), defensive specialist Brooke Peters (Avon, Ind.) and outside hitter Alexa Smith (Monument, Colo.), has earned numerous national awards during their high school careers.
All three players are Under Armour All-Americans and were among Prep Volleyball's 250 Senior Aces. The Boilermakers will likely be adding a fourth member to the signing class later this summer.
The 6-0 Smith, who was the MaxPreps and Volleyball Magazine High School Player of the Year and Colorado's Gatorade Player of the Year, was listed at No. 7 on Prep Volleyball's list of Senior Aces and also was named as a first team Under Armour High School All-America honoree in November before leading her team to the 4A state title. A member of the USA Volleyball Junior National Team in 2014, Smith earned a gold medal at the NORCECA Continental U20 Championships in Guatemala in 2014 with current Boilermaker Danielle Cuttino. The three-time all-state honoree also was a member of the USA Girls' Youth National Team in 2012 and 2013, earning a silver medal at the FIVB U-18 World Championships in Thailand in 2013. Prep Volleyball's National Junior Player of the Year in 2013-14 led her Lewis Palmer High School team two 4A state championships (2013 and 2014).
Mohler, a 6-2 middle blocker from Ocean Springs, Miss., was named to the Under Armour High School All-America second team, as Prep Volleyball's No. 17 Senior Ace and as Mississippi's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014. As a senior, Mohler averaged 4.9 kills per set while hitting at a .453 clip, adding 1.2 blocks per set and serving up 91 aces. She owns the Ocean Springs' school record in kills (580) and solo blocks (100) and earned AVCA High School Player of the Week accolades.
Peters, a 5-9 libero from Avon High School, joined the Boilermakers in January 2015. The AVCA Under Armour Third Team All-America selection was one of PrepVolleyball's 250 Senior Aces. Avon's all-time career leader in digs (1,160), matches played (156) and sets played (432), she led the Orioles to state championships in 2012 and 2013, a runner-up finish in 2011 and a semi-state berth in 2014. A first team all-state and all-Hoosier Crossroads Conference selection in 2014, Peters led Avon with 403 digs and 39 aces, while also being named to the Senior Indiana South Volleyball All-Star team. Peters plays club volleyball for the Circle City Volleyball Club, which won the 17 open division at the 2014 Northeast National Qualifier title in Philadelphia and finished seventh at USAV Nationals.
Prep Volleyball's John Tawa had this to say about the Boilermaker newcomers.
"The Boilermaker class includes three top 50 Senior Aces and is highlighted by Smith, the MaxPreps and Volleyball Magazine High School Player of the Year. Smith is a point scorer who controls the ball in all facets of the game. The silky-smooth outside hitter will bring a low-error presence to the Boilers. Mohler, the 2014 Mississippi Gatorade POY is a physical middle attacker with a bazooka for a right arm. Still sharpening her tools of the trade, Mohler may play some on the right side as well. Peters arrived in West Lafayette in January and immediately began flexing her passing and defensive muscles. A fierce competitor, Peters also serves bullets. Peters' no-nonsense approach is what the doctor ordered in the power packed Big Ten Conference."
The Boilermakers kick off the 2015 season on August 29, when they welcome Ohio, Virginia Commonwealth and Austin Peay to Belin Court for the Mortar Board Premier.