ABILENE – Five Texas freshmen join the Abilene Christian volleyball team next year after signing with the Wildcats on Wednesday.
The crew includes Avery Thaler, a 5-11 middle blocker from Fairfield, Sydney Payne, a 5-9 setter from Argyle, Annaleise Sevier, a 5-11 outside hitter from Aubrey, Delanna Harper, a 5-2 libero/defensive specialist from McKinney and Courtney Church, a 6-0 outside hitter from Driftwood.
"We are extremely excited about our 2024 incoming class," said ACU Head Coach Ijeoma Moronu Asltrup. "Our class is fully Texas girls who have the talent to go nationwide but chose to stay close to home. We have two pin hitters in Annaleise and Courtney who will be bringing strong arm swings and an extremely dynamic style of play. Middle blocker Avery Thaler will fill the gap in 2024 after losing two strong middles, we feel very confident in Avery's ability to step into the role immediately and make positive contributions in her first year as a wildcat. We feel lucky to be adding more depth to our setter position with Sydney Payne. Sydney is a fun player to watch. Athletic, smart, and willing to work hard for a position, it will be great to have her join Madeline and Rachel in the setter spot. Lastly, libero Delanna Harper had a great career and has only gotten better since we have had the opportunity to watch her play. We are excited to see how much her play can grow during her time as a Wildcat. All of the girls coming in will contribute positively to the culture we are trying to build here both on and off of the court."
Church was the 2023 national MVP of the National Home School Volleyball Tournament and earned a spot on the AVCA Phenom Watch List. She earned TAPPS Academic All-State at Veritas Academy and was first-team All-District and varsity MVP. She also won the Academic Excellence Award for Anatomy and Psychology in 2023 and the Character Excellence Award in 2022.
A three-time Defensive MVP for Emerson High School, Harper was second-team All-District and has 500 career digs.
"I loved the morals behind everything and as soon as I got on campus, I instantly knew I wanted to spend the next four years here," said Harper, who volunteers at Kids Against Hunger and attends Fellowship Church.
Sevier earned first-team All-State, All-Area and District Blocker of the Year while at Aubrey High School and was selected for the State All-Tournament team. She is an Academic All-District selection and a member of the National Honor Society and National BETA Club.
"I chose ACU because of the supportive and faith-based environment that it provides," said Sevier. "It is a place I can grow in my faith as well as my academics and athletics."
Payne is a three-year captain, a two-time second-team All-District and a first-team All-Area selection for Argyle High School. An FCA Athlete of the Week and Skyline Award winner, Payne also is a member of the National Honor Society and a second-team Academic AVCA honoree.
She volunteers with PALS, Circle of Friends, FCA and Challenge Day and attends Cross Timbers Church.
"I chose ACU because the moment I stepped on campus I felt like the Lord showed me how ACU was not only going to make me a better athlete, but a better person," said Payne.
A three-sport standout at Fairfield High School, Thaler earned District Newcomer of the Year in 2020; District MVP 2021and 2022; TGCA All-State 2021 and 2022; Super Centex first-team Middle Blocker in 2022; Texas Sports Writer's Association All-State first-team Middle Blocker in 2022; Super Centex first-team Middle Blocker in 2022; and Academic All-District 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
She also is a four-time All-District selection for the AHS basketball team, which won State in 2022 and reached the finals in 2021 and 2023. Thaler won State in the triple jump and 4x200 relay and was in the top three in four other events over the previous two seasons and was All-State in track in 2023.
Thaler is valedictorian, a regional UIL qualifier in math and an honor graduate. She won the FCA Burton Lawless Scholarship and volunteers at the Little Diggers Volleyball League at Calvary Baptist Church, where she also is involved with the youth group.
"I chose ACU because of the amazing family-oriented atmosphere," said Thaler. "As soon as I stepped on campus the love I felt from the staff made me feel at home. Most importantly, Christ is at the center of education at ACU, a quality I was searching for in finding my future home. I believe with all my heart that ACU is in God's plan for my life and I am beyond excited to start this new chapter."
