CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois volleyball head coach Chris Tamas announced the addition of the two newest members of the Fighting Illini volleyball program. Ashlyn Philpot and Laynie Smith will don the Orange and Blue in 2024.
"This class has a ton of experience winning at a high level, both in club and high school," Tamas said. "They have been invited to our National Team Development Program over the last several years with the nation's top prospects. They are not only great players but great people and will add to the culture and values of Illini volleyball and Illinois athletics. They will have an impact on the program from day one and will be a tremendous addition to the Illini FamILLy."
Coach Tamas on Philpot: "Ashlyn is an elite level blocker with great reading ability and lateral speed. She is a non-stop worker both on the competition court and in the practice gym. Ashlyn brings a ton of passion and energy to the game, and she has an inspiring competitive drive that helps will her team(s) to win."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because the coaching staff is amazing as well as the people and the environment. Also, I've always wanted to play in the Big Ten."
Coach Tamas on Smith " "Laynie is perhaps one of the more versatile players I have seen and has proven to be an incredible learner and student of the game. She came to camp a few years ago as an opposite. Her club team needed her to play middle this last season. Most recently, she helped her successful high school team at the outside position. She has embraced whatever the team has needed her to do to win and excelled at each position with a great attitude. Laynie will be trained as an outside hitter and an opposite with us."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because I have always dreamed about playing in the Big Ten, and I loved campus and the great coaching staff."
"This class has a ton of experience winning at a high level, both in club and high school," Tamas said. "They have been invited to our National Team Development Program over the last several years with the nation's top prospects. They are not only great players but great people and will add to the culture and values of Illini volleyball and Illinois athletics. They will have an impact on the program from day one and will be a tremendous addition to the Illini FamILLy."
ASHLYN PHILPOT // GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA // DH CONLEY HIGH SCHOOL // TRIANGLE VOLLEYBALL CLUB // MB // 6-4
Notes: Named the No. 44 prospect by Prep Volleyball for the Class of 2024… Won an NCHSAA 3A state championship in 2020… Earned All-State honorable mention honors in 2021… Received all-conference recognition for 2020 and 2021… Named a U17 club All-American by Prep Volleyball in 2023… Earned a JVA All-National team nod in 2023… Has played with Laynie Smith at Triangle Volleyball Club.Coach Tamas on Philpot: "Ashlyn is an elite level blocker with great reading ability and lateral speed. She is a non-stop worker both on the competition court and in the practice gym. Ashlyn brings a ton of passion and energy to the game, and she has an inspiring competitive drive that helps will her team(s) to win."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because the coaching staff is amazing as well as the people and the environment. Also, I've always wanted to play in the Big Ten."
LAYNIE SMITH // DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA// CHAPEL HILL HIGH SCHOOL// TRIANGLE VOLLEYBALL CLUB // OH/OPP // 6-3
Notes: Named to the top-125 for the Class of 2024 by Prep Volleyball… Four-year varsity letter winner… Three-time all-state honoree… Named all-conference four times for both volleyball and basketball… Earned recognition on the AVCA watch list… Named to the Prep Volleyball nationals' all-tournament teams twice… Selected to compete in the Under Armour All-American games… Has played with Ashlyn Philpot at Triangle Volleyball Club.Coach Tamas on Smith " "Laynie is perhaps one of the more versatile players I have seen and has proven to be an incredible learner and student of the game. She came to camp a few years ago as an opposite. Her club team needed her to play middle this last season. Most recently, she helped her successful high school team at the outside position. She has embraced whatever the team has needed her to do to win and excelled at each position with a great attitude. Laynie will be trained as an outside hitter and an opposite with us."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because I have always dreamed about playing in the Big Ten, and I loved campus and the great coaching staff."
