RUSTON-  Louisiana Tech Volleyball has officially signed seven new players to 2023 roster as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Head Coach Amber McCray.
 
 Six of the seven players are all natives of Texas, while one is a junior college transfer from Brazil. The new Lady Techsters will add depth to all positions from pins and middle blockers to a defensive specialist and a setter.  
 
Izabely Benjamin is a 5'11 transfer from Panola Junior College. Benjamin is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will be playing outside/right side hitter for the Lady Techsters. While at Panola and competing in the highly talented Region XIV, Benjamin was named Second Team All-Conference and All-Region XIV her freshman and sophomore year while serving in a critical role to the success of her nationally-ranked Panola team both years. 
 
Courtney Carter will be joining the Lady Techsters from Klein Cain High School in Mansfield, Texas. Carter is a 5'9 outside hitter/defensive specialist who has earned numerous awards throughout her high school career. During her sophomore season, she earned Academic All-District honors, as well as an honorable mention nod. During her junior year, Carter was named Academic All-District, 1st Team All-District, and Co-Offensive Player of the Year. This past season, she earned Academic All-District, 1st Team All-District, and Offensive Player of the Year. Along with her success in the classroom, Carter has been named to the All-A Honor Roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. 
 
Megan Cooley is a 6'0 outside hitter from Tyler, Texas. The Whitehouse High School senior was named All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year in 2020, 1st Team All-District in 2021, Co-District MVP, and 1st Team Outside Hitter in 2022. Along with volleyball, Cooley has also been a decorated multi-sport member of the track team and lettered for three years. Cooley has been recognized for her academic excellence by being named to the Academic All-State team in both 2022 and 2023. 
 
Anaya Hairston is a 6'3 middle blocker/right side hitter from Lancaster, Texas. Hairston was named the Lancaster High School co-captain during the 2022 season as well as High School Miss Volleyball. In both her junior and senior year, Hairston earned a spot on the All-District Team. She was also a member of her high school's 2020 team where they finished undefeated in league play to capture the district championship, as well as being unanimously voted as the Most Outstanding Blocker in 2021. 
 
Grace Krohn is a 6'1 native of Cypress, Texas, who will be charged with the task of helping to quarterback the Lady Techster attack as a setter. During her career at Cypress Creek High School, Krohn made an impact early in her first year running the offense, being named Newcomer of the Year in 2021. She was a consistent assist leader for District 17-6A over the past two seasons, as well as being named Outstanding Setter of the District in 2022. Krohn was also named to the Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association Pre and Postseason Team to cap off her final high school season. 
 
Sa'Myah Medford will be joining the Lady Techsters as a 6'0 right side/middle blocker from Mansfield, Texas. Medford has lettered three years at Lake Ridge High School and has earned numerous awards for her success on the court. During her career at LRHS, Medford has been named to the Texas Sports Writers 6A Honorable Mention All-State Teams, 11-6A Academic All-District, 1st Team All-District, Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-District Team, and the Lake Ridge High School Co-Offensive Player of the Year. 
 
Riley Steubing is a 5'7 defensive specialist/libero from Richmond, Texas. Steubing has earned a letter in volleyball at George Ranch High School all four years of her career. During her final season as a Longhorn, she was named a captain for her varsity team, along with the 2022 District Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All-District, and the Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association Pre and Postseason Team. Steubing has led her team in digs the past two seasons and has collected over 1,500 in her career. In 2021, Steubing was also named 2nd Team All-District. During her 2020 campaign, she earned Honorable Mention All-District 20-6A and All-Area Honorable Mention Defensive Specialist in 2019.
 
"With this signing class, we have added valuable pieces to literally all positions on our 2023 roster," said Coach Amber McCray. "We have also added size, which is something we made a priority from the jump when we began working on this class a few years ago. While these student-athletes are bringing in talent and some elite playing experience, one of the qualities we love most about them as a whole is how much they all seem to genuinely love the game and thrive on being in the gym. We strongly believe they will all be excellent additions to a solid core of returners who are already working extremely hard this spring to put us in the best position to reach our goals this fall."