University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Add Three to the 2019 Roster
11/15/2018 3:36:00 PM | Volleyball
University of Minnesota volleyball has announced three additions to the 2019 roster. The Golden Gophers welcome Ellie Husemann (Eagan, Minn.), Rachel Kilkelly (Shakopee, Minn.) and Shea Rubright (Yakima, Wash.) to the program. Rubright is scheduled to join the program this January, while Husemann and Kilkelly will begin their collegiate careers in the fall of 2019.
Husemann, a 6-foot, 3-inch middle blocker, plays for Eagan High School and Northern Lights Club Volleyball. With Eagan, Husemann helped the Wildcats to two state championships and two state runner-up titles. Named to the Minneapolis Star Tribune all-metro first team in 2018, she was also a state all-tournament team in 2017 and 2018. A Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year candidate, Husemann was a four-time all-conference selection. She finished her career as Eagan's all-time block leader with 379 career blocks. She also had 709 career kills, including 265 her senior year and was named the offensive player of the year. Named an Under Armour All-America honorable mention, she helped Northern Lights to a 2017 USA 17-Open national champion and a 2015 runner-up accolades. She also earned Academic all-state honors and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Jodi and Adam Husemann.
"Growing up in Minnesota, being a Gopher has always been my dream," Husemann said. "I love the importance of team culture and the programs commitment in helping student-athletes reach their highest potential, on and off the court. The University of Minnesota offers a world class education on a beautiful campus in a great city with the best volleyball facilities in the country. I am honored and excited to play for Hugh McCutcheon and the rest of the staff and can't wait to get on campus."
"Ellie is a physical and versatile middle, with the ability to attack and block in all front-court positions," head coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "She has championship experience at both the high school and club level. Ellie is a great student and a great teammate - she's an excellent addition to our program."
Kilkelly, a 5-foot, 9-inch defensive specialist, plays for Shakopee High School and Northern Lights Club Volleyball. Kilkelly led Shakopee to a Section 2AAA championship and a state tournament consolation championship. Making it on the all-tournament team, Kilkelly was also one of five seniors up for the Ms. Baden award, which goes out to the top senior volleyball player in Minnesota She was also one of six players on the Minneapolis Star Tribune all-metro team. Playing as an outside hitter in high school, Kilkelly posted 339 kills her senior season, averaged 4.2 kills per set, 287 digs and 28 aces. Kilkelly played with Northern Lights from 12-1s to 18-1s. Last season, she helped Northern Lights win the 2017 USA 17-Open national championship. Rachel is the daughter of Kevin and Jenny Kilkelly.
"I've grown up being a huge Gopher volleyball fan my whole life and I love the state of Minnesota," Kilkelly said. It's also a great academic school and has one of the best volleyball programs in the country. On top of that, I love the campus and being close to home."
"Rachel is a first-contact specialist," McCutcheon said. "She has an extremely effective serve, is a solid receiver, and reads the game really well. Like her club teammate Ellie, Rachel brings a ton of experience in championship play. Rachel also gets it done in the classroom and she's a great teammate. She'll be a great Gopher."
Rubright, a 6-foot, 5-inch middle blocker, plays for West Valley High School and Central Region United club team. Named a first team Under Armour All-American, Rubright received an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America match in conjunction with the Division I Volleyball Championships next month. A two-time CBBN Player of the Year her junior and senior seasons, Rubright is playing with West Valley this weekend in the state tournament. A seven-time letterwinner in volleyball, basketball and tennis, she was also first-team all-state in 2017. As she enters her final weekend of high school play, Rubright has 886 career kills, 245 career blocks and has hit over .468 her high school career. Named Prepvolleyball.com's No. 12 recruit in the nation, Rubright is a two-time USA Youth A1 National Team member and was also at the USA Volleyball holiday national team prospect camp. Shea is the daughter of Valerie and Jason Rubright, both collegiate athletes at Gonzaga.
"I chose to attend the University of Minnesota because of the culture and work ethic," Rubright said. "Everyone in the program is 100 percent committed to the process and works to get better, while having fun. That is something I wanted to be a part of."
"Shea has unbelievable potential in the middle blocker position," McCutcheon said. "Not only does she have length, she is also fast and strong. She knows how to work hard and she knows how to learn. We're very excited to have her join our program and we look forward to working with Shea soon."