Action photos of all four 2019 volleyball signees

Volleyball

Volleyball signs four for 2019

Ashburn, Gorum, Gregorski and MacDonald become Badgers

Volleyball

Volleyball signs four for 2019

Ashburn, Gorum, Gregorski and MacDonald become Badgers

MADISON, Wis. – The seventh-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team has signed four athletes to play for the Badgers beginning in 2019, head coach Kelly Sheffield announced on Wednesday.
Izzy Ashburn, a 6-foot-1 setter from Dayton, Minnesota; Courtney Gorum, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Chesapeake, Virginia; Liz Gregorski, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Appleton, Wisconsin; and Anna MacDonald, a 5-foot-8 libero from Alpharetta, Georgia, will join the Badgers for the 2019 season.  

"I'm excited about this class," Sheffield said. "I would describe this group as mature, optimistic, and people who love challenges. I wouldn't be surprised to see a player or two find their way into the rotation, somehow, early in their careers."

Ashburn follows in the footsteps of Champlin Park High School teammate Sydney Hilley in becoming a Badger. Ashburn led the Rebels to the 2018 Minnesota State Class AAA Volleyball Championship and was named the 2018 Ms. Baden Volleyball in the state of Minnesota for coach John Yunker. A two-time first-team all-state selection and a three-time state all-tournament pick, Ashburn is also a 2018 AVCA Under Armour first-team honoree and PrepVolleyball.com No. 38 Senior Ace.

"Izzy is a really athletic setter with great hands," Sheffield said. "She's had good training in club and high school. She just led her high school team to a state championship and her club team consistently competes at a high level. Izzy's been coming to our camps for a few years so we've really gotten to see her progression up close. By the end of last season, we thought she was turning into one of the top setters in her class."
Ashburn averaged 12.2 assists per set as a senior, tallying a school record 3,858 helpers as a prep. She also added 183 service aces, 760 digs and 82 blocks over her four years. Ashburn is also a three-year letterwinner in track and field and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Ashburn also plays with Minnesota Select Volleyball Club for coaches Scott Jackson and George Padjen. She is a two-time AAU Junior National All-Starr and was named to the 2016 USA Volleyball Junior National Championship All-Tournament team.

A middle blocker, Gorum is ranked No. 50 on the PrepVolleyball.com Senior Aces. A late bloomer, Gorum is a two-time all-conference pick while also earning all-district and all-region honors for coach Robin Smith. She was named a 2018 AVCA Under Armour All-America first team selection.

"The first thing that jumps out at you about Courtney is her athleticism," said Sheffield. "She attended our camp this summer and her ability to play above the net was certainly impressive. She's a big jumper and has the potential to be a big-time blocker. Although very quiet off of the court, she can have a fiery personality on it.  Courtney is fairly new to the sport but her potential is exciting."

Gorum also plays for Coastal Virginia Volleyball Club, the same club as current Badger Danielle Hart, under coach Will Stein.

Gregorski is a three-time all-state selection for coach Luke Herriges at Xavier High School. She is a two-time first-team all-conference pick and was named the conference player of the year as a sophomore. Gregorski also plays basketball and beach volleyball and is a member of the High Honor Roll.

"Liz attended our camp a couple of years ago and was one of the most talked about players by the end of it," Sheffield said. "She's very springy and can play high although she's not a very tall player at the net. I like the fact that she's a tireless worker who wants to be really good. Liz has missed quite a bit of time over the past year due to injuries, but I know she's driven to play at a high level."

A member of the Fox Cities Elite club under coach Brett Damrow, Gregorski aided her team to a fifth-place finish at the 2017 USA Volleyball Junior Nationals and earned all-tournament honors. She was also named the 2017 Showcase MVP.

A 5-foot-8 libero, MacDonald is the younger sister of former Badger Amber MacDonald. One of the most highly decorated 2019 liberos in the country, MacDonald is a 2018 AVCA Under Armour first-team All-American and was named the 4A Georgia State Player of the Year. She set the Georgia state record for career digs with 3,297 while adding 366 career service aces. She aided Blessed Trinity High School under coach Paul Stevens to two state championships, earning four all-state honors.

"Anna is a fierce competitor and a winner," said Sheffield. "She won't back down or flinch playing at this level. She takes it personally if an attacker scores in her area of the court. Being around the program and watching her sister go through it for the past four years, she knows what it's about. Anna's another player that has played at a high level for a number of years coming in."

MacDonald also competed with A5 Volleyball Club and will play with TK Volleyball under Coach Suzanne Fitzgerald in 2018-19. She aided A5 to two third-place finishes at the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals. She has been named to two JVA All-National Teams and to two USAV all-tournament teams. MacDonald also competed with the 2018 USA Volleyball Junior A-1 National Team, being named team captain and earning a silver medal at the High Performance National Championships.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Amber MacDonald

#7 Amber MacDonald

L
5' 4"
Junior
Alpharetta, Ga.
Danielle Hart

#18 Danielle Hart

MB
6' 4"
Redshirt Freshman
Sydney Hilley

#2 Sydney Hilley

S
6' 0"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Amber MacDonald

#7 Amber MacDonald

5' 4"
Junior
Alpharetta, Ga.
L
Danielle Hart

#18 Danielle Hart

6' 4"
Redshirt Freshman
MB
Sydney Hilley

#2 Sydney Hilley

6' 0"
Sophomore
S