Cougars Add Three For 2019-20
4/26/2019 11:11:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Caroline Pender (Lexington, S.C.), Kyra Thompson (Greenville, S.C.), and Mikaela Dougherty (Carlsbad, Calif.) have signed to attend the College of Charleston and join the Cougar's indoor and beach volleyball programs in the fall of 2019, announced head coach Jason Kepner on Friday.
"It is another great day for the cougar volleyball family," Kepner said. "We are very fortunate to add three outstanding players to our indoor and beach programs. They are all great students, athletes, and people that will represent CofC well for the next four years."
Caroline Pender | Defensive Specialist | 5-8 | Lexington, S.C.
Pender is a two-time 5A All-State honoree from River Bluff High School in Lexington, S.C., where she led the Gators to a berth in the SCHSL 5A State Playoffs. The 5-foot-8 defensive specialist recorded 375 digs (4.1 per set) during the 2018 season, and finished runner-up for region player of the year honors. A two-time all-region performer, Pender was also nominated for the AVCA Under Armour All-America Team. Pender will suit up for both the indoor and beach programs.
"Caroline is a tenacious competitor and extremely hard worker," Kepner said. "She adds to our team another passer and defender with a great work ethic. All of this will serve her well when she arrives in Charleston."
Mikaela Dougherty | Beach Volleyball | 5-4 | Carlsbad, Calif.
Dougherty joins the Cougars from San Diego Beach Volleyball Club in Del Mar, Calif. after helping the club win both the AAU Power League and BVCA Club Championships in 2016. The Carlsbad, Calif. native has also played for her high school team at La Costa Canyon High School, where she helped the Mavericks win the 2018 CIF Southern Section Championship. Dougherty won the 18U Ocean Beach Tournament on July 22, 2018, and turned in a pair of top-three performances at two more events the previous weekend.
"Mikaela has a very high volleyball IQ and work ethic," Kepner said. "She is going to bring our beach program some experience and depth. I look for her to help us grow as a program right away."
Kyra Thompson | Beach Volleyball | 5-9 | Greenville, S.C.
Thompson comes to Charleston from Saint Joseph's Catholic School in Greenville, S.C., and Upward Stars Volleyball Club in Spartanburg, S.C. Thompson was an all-state and 2A High School Sports Report Player of the Year selection in 2018 at Saint Joseph's before switching to beach only this spring. She has placed highly in several tournaments since her switch, including a second-place performance at the Lucky Charm Challenge in Emerson, Ga. on March 16.
"Kyra just recently made the switch to beach, but has really come a long way in a short period of time," Kepner said. "I am excited to see her grow in our program and have an immediate impact."
"It is another great day for the cougar volleyball family," Kepner said. "We are very fortunate to add three outstanding players to our indoor and beach programs. They are all great students, athletes, and people that will represent CofC well for the next four years."
Caroline Pender | Defensive Specialist | 5-8 | Lexington, S.C.
Pender is a two-time 5A All-State honoree from River Bluff High School in Lexington, S.C., where she led the Gators to a berth in the SCHSL 5A State Playoffs. The 5-foot-8 defensive specialist recorded 375 digs (4.1 per set) during the 2018 season, and finished runner-up for region player of the year honors. A two-time all-region performer, Pender was also nominated for the AVCA Under Armour All-America Team. Pender will suit up for both the indoor and beach programs.
"Caroline is a tenacious competitor and extremely hard worker," Kepner said. "She adds to our team another passer and defender with a great work ethic. All of this will serve her well when she arrives in Charleston."
Mikaela Dougherty | Beach Volleyball | 5-4 | Carlsbad, Calif.
Dougherty joins the Cougars from San Diego Beach Volleyball Club in Del Mar, Calif. after helping the club win both the AAU Power League and BVCA Club Championships in 2016. The Carlsbad, Calif. native has also played for her high school team at La Costa Canyon High School, where she helped the Mavericks win the 2018 CIF Southern Section Championship. Dougherty won the 18U Ocean Beach Tournament on July 22, 2018, and turned in a pair of top-three performances at two more events the previous weekend.
"Mikaela has a very high volleyball IQ and work ethic," Kepner said. "She is going to bring our beach program some experience and depth. I look for her to help us grow as a program right away."
Kyra Thompson | Beach Volleyball | 5-9 | Greenville, S.C.
Thompson comes to Charleston from Saint Joseph's Catholic School in Greenville, S.C., and Upward Stars Volleyball Club in Spartanburg, S.C. Thompson was an all-state and 2A High School Sports Report Player of the Year selection in 2018 at Saint Joseph's before switching to beach only this spring. She has placed highly in several tournaments since her switch, including a second-place performance at the Lucky Charm Challenge in Emerson, Ga. on March 16.
"Kyra just recently made the switch to beach, but has really come a long way in a short period of time," Kepner said. "I am excited to see her grow in our program and have an immediate impact."
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