STATESBORO – Volleyball coach Chad Willis announced today that Ally Barnhart (Lenexa, Kan./De Soto/USF), Reagan Barth (Shawnee, Kan./Shawnee Mission West), Kayden Cupid (Supply, N.C./West Brunswick), Lexi Duffy (Murrieta, Calif./Tocoi Creek [Fla.]) and Paige Spanbauer (Lexington, S.C./River Bluff) will attend Georgia Southern and play for the Eagles, beginning with the 2023 season.

"We're excited to announce and share our 2023 recruiting class with Eagle Nation," said Willis. "Once again, we feel strongly we've identified and put together a solid group of high character, competitively driven individuals who will impact our program and culture in a positive way on and off the court. I'm grateful to Taylor Sherwin and Efrain Negron for their commitment and hard work in grinding the recruiting trail as we continue to build for Sun Belt Championships."

Ally Barnhart, 6-4, MB, Lenexa, Kan. / De Soto / South Florida / Mavs KC
Recorded 330 kills and 169 blocks while hitting .225 in 58 matches and 212 sets • Named 2020 AAC All-Academic • A four-year varsity athlete for head coach Lindsay Hothan at De Soto High School • Recorded 685 kills, 425 blocks and a .264 hitting percentage • Named to the Frontier League First Team and second-team all-state as a junior • Named to the United Kansas Conference Second Team and first-team all-state in her senior season • Played club with Asics Mavs 18-1 team • Her mother, Jenny, played volleyball at Wichita State for four years (1989-92).
Willis on Barnhart:
"Ally is a dynamic middle, joining us after four years at USF. A skilled middle on both sides of the ball, Ally's competitive drive and work ethic will blend well with our  returning core this spring. We've utilized the transfer portal to add quality depth to our roster, and we're confident Ally will bring great leadership and experience on and off the court as she spends her final year with us."

Reagan Barth, 6-0, OH, Shawnee, Kan. / Shawnee Mission West / Mavs KC
Totaled 332 kills, 217 digs, 49 aces and 22 blocks in 84 sets as a senior for coach Beau Barnthson at Shawnee Mission West • Hit .340 • Named first-team All-Sunflower League in 2022, earned second-team honors in 2020 and 2021 and tabbed honorable mention in 2019 • Played club for Coach Barnthson on MAVS KC 18-1 and helped the team to third-place finish in the Open Division at nationals in 2021 and ninth place in 2022 • Collected 414 kills and hit .253 • Also tallied 266 digs, 56 blocks and 29 aces in 146 sets • Earned high school's Janice Van Gorp Fearless Spirit Award in 2021 and was a Champions of Character Nominee (NAIA) in 2022.
Willis on Barth:
"Reagan is talented and gritty six-rotation outside hitter who will add immediate depth and stability to our pin position group. The competitiveness she's trained and competed with throughout her prep career have prepared her for the transition to be an impactful player for us. We're looking forward to welcoming her competitive drive but also her personality and commitment to our program's culture and vision."

Kayden Cupid, 6-0, MB, Supply, N.C. / West Brunswick / Walton Elite
Lettered three years for Coach Mya Morse at West Brunswick • Averaged nine kills a match as a senior • 
Played club for Walton Elite and Grand Strand Juniors for Ryan Sarrett, Josh Paul and Alex Sing.
Willis on Cupid: 
"Kayden's athleticism and drive really stood out to us throughout her recruiting process. Coming in mid-semester will give her the opportunity to get acclimated to the speed of the game while enabling her to learn some of our systems and priorities while building relationships and leaning into the experience of our returners. Kayden has a competitive drive and eagerness to learn which will be great additions to our team."

Lexi Duffy, 5-9, S, Murrieta, Calif / Tocoi Creek (Fla.) / Viper
Posted 386 assists and 123 digs as a junior at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California, while earning second-team All-Southwestern League honors • Played club for Coach Jolynn Faatulu at Viper Volleyball Club • Viper took first place at JVA West Coast Cup and second place at Girls Junior National Championship in 2022  •  Brother, AJ Duffy, is a freshman quarterback at Florida State. 
Willis on Duffy: 
"Lexi is a quality setter who will add great knowledge and depth to that position group. One of the things that stands out in Lexi is the poise and stability she competes with, her court demeanor is steady which allows her to effectively run and lead an offense. Lexi's prep career out in California alongside her family's experience in athletics have shaped her coachability and commitment to training and competing at a high level."

Paige Spanbauer, 5-4, L, Lexington, S.C. / River Bluff / Carolina Rogue 
Earned two letters for Coach Bryan Piro at River Bluff and helped the Gators to the Lowerstate title and an appearance in the state championship in 2021 • Ranked ninth in the state in digs with 403 in 2021 and tallied 432 as a senior to go along with 20 aces and 92 assists • Played club for coach Adam Speight on Carolina Rogue • Two-time Academic All-American and named to AVCA Phenom Watchlist in 2021 and JVA Watchlist in 22.
Willis on Spanbauer: 
"Paige is a feisty and aggressive defensive specialist whose drive and work ethic will add an immediate boost to our gym. Paige has a great understanding of the role and the expectations we have for first contact in our gym, and that position group will benefit from her intensity and sense of urgency. Throughout our conversations in the recruiting process, we've really been impressed with Paige's determination and competitive spirit and are excited to see her impact."

Georgia Southern recorded its second straight winning season (16-12), its second consecutive winning campaign in home matches (8-4) and its second straight campaign with a .500 or better winning percentage in conference play (7-7).  The Eagles are slated to return 15 letterwinners to the 2023 roster.