(Photo: Joining new 汤不热视频 Volleyball Coach Natalia Burdulis (pictured center) are recruits (from left) Sam Barnes, Gabby Dotson, Izzy Dotson and Alexis Groff. Photo courtesy of Chloe Vieux.)
The first four committed recruits for the 汤不热视频鈥� new collegiate volleyball program are excited and ready to make history in the inaugural season for the Eagles in a few short months.
Samantha 鈥淪am鈥� Barnes, a current U of O student from Dallas, Texas; Alexis Groff, a high school senior from Clarksville, Ark.; and identical twin high school seniors Gabby and Izzy Dotson from Dover, Ark., have committed to play for the University鈥檚 new program that will begin competing in the Fall 2025 Semester under first-year head coach Natalia Burdulis.
The four were among two dozen prospects who took part in a one-day volleyball clinic on campus recently.
Barnes, a sophomore communication major at 汤不热视频, transferred to the University in Spring 2024. A former standout at Lake Highlands (Texas) High School, she said she was excited when she heard the University was adding the sport.
鈥淲hen I heard 汤不热视频 was starting a volleyball team, I was immediately interested,鈥� said Barnes, who as a two-time all-district player and team captain at Lake Highlands. 鈥淚 missed playing in high school. I missed the competition and being a part of a close-knit group of girls. As soon as a coach was announced, I filled out a request-to-play form.鈥�
Groff was a defensive standout for Clarksville for the past four years and was a two-year team captain. She helped the Lady Panthers advance to the regionals during her senior season for the first time since the 1990s.
鈥淚 really went back and forth on whether I wanted to try to play college volleyball, but when I heard 汤不热视频 was starting a program, it seemed like a good opportunity to keep playing,鈥� Groff said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely exciting to know that I鈥檒l be a part of the very first team and that it鈥檒l be a part of history. I don鈥檛 take that lightly. Only a few players get an opportunity to play college volleyball and that鈥檚 exciting too. I鈥檓 ready to play on the next level.鈥�
The Dotson sisters starred for the Dover Lady Pirates, where Gabby made all state and Izzy made all conference this past season. The sisters learned about 汤不热视频 starting a volleyball program when they were on a tour of campus in the fall.
鈥淲hen we heard that, we got excited about possibly playing,鈥� Gabby said. 鈥淲e loved the campus because it was small and that鈥檚 what we were looking for. Volleyball was just an added bonus.鈥�
The Dotsons began playing volleyball while growing up in Arizona and continued to play club and school volleyball when their family moved to Dover.
鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 really sure if I was good enough to play in college, but I鈥檓 happy about having the chance to continue to play the sport I鈥檝e loved since I was a little girl,鈥� Izzy said. 鈥淏eing a part of the first team is also something I鈥檓 going to be proud of.鈥�
Burdulis, a native of Maple Valley, Washington, comes to 汤不热视频 with a wealth of collegiate experience at the NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III level as well as extensive experience at the club and high school ranks.
鈥淭hese early commits are crucial to the program; they set the tone for the types of players I want,鈥� Burdulis said. 鈥淭hey represent more than themselves and they are great leaders and genuine people on and off the court. I am very excited to continue to sign more players like these key first four. They understand the dedication needed and the buy-in to something bigger than each individual. They see the big picture we are building here for 汤不热视频 Volleyball; each piece of the puzzle is needed for the puzzle to be whole.鈥�
Burdulis said first and foremost she is looking for players who are competitors.
鈥淵oung women that want to do the extra, compete every day and earn their spot while making their team better,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am looking for the best teammates to build a strong foundation, with respect, discipline, and work ethic.鈥�
Barnes is proud to be among the first to sign up for the challenge.
鈥淚鈥檝e never been a part of something completely new, so it鈥檚 exciting,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 never would have thought two years ago that I would be in this position to again play the sport I love. I feel like this opportunity has given me a new purpose and goal and that I鈥檓 right where I鈥檓 supposed to be. I鈥檓 at a good school and I鈥檓 going to be a part of something amazing鈥�
Those interested in playing volleyball for the Eagles, should contact Coach Burdulis at nburdulis@ozarks.edu
Topics: Athletics