By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State head volleyball coach Jessica Wood-Atkins has announced the signing of seven student-athletes in advance of the 2019 season. This year’s signing class includes players from four states, two pairs of high school teammates, three outside hitters, two middle hitters and two setters.
Paige Baird | Outside Hitter | 5-7
Long Island, Kan. (Northern Valley HS)
Paige Baird joins the Tigers after a decorated athletic career at Northern Valley High School in Almena, Kan. The Long Island, Kan. native was a three-sport athlete, earning All-State honors in volleyball, basketball and track & field. She helped the Huskies win the 1A-DII state title inside Gross Memorial Coliseum as a junior. Baird earned All-State honors four times, including being named the Kansas 1A Player of the Year as a junior in 2017. The outside hitter compiled 2,164 kills and 388 aces in her high school career. Outside of volleyball, Baird has eclipsed 1,000 points on the basketball court while winning first place at the state track meet four times (400m three times, 300m hurdles once).
Morgan Christiansen | Middle Hitter | 6-0
Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X HS)
Morgan Christiansen has signed with the Tigers after three seasons at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb. A two sport athlete, Morgan earned three varsity letters with the volleyball team as well as the basketball program. The middle hitter was named second team all-city in 2017 while helping the Thunderbolts to three consecutive Class A State Tournament appearances (runner-up in 2018). Christiansen totaled 189 kills, 88 blocks, 34 aces and a .365 hitting percentage as a senior. She has also excelled in the classroom, earning honor roll accolades while being listed on the Academic All-State roster.
Paige Dechant | Setter | 5-9
Hutchinson, Kan. (Trinity Catholic HS)
Paige Dechant comes to Hays via Trinity Catholic High School in Hutchinson, Kan. The setter earned a trio of Heart of America all-league honors, picking up first team honors as a senior after earning honorable mention recognition as a sophomore and junior. Dechant twice earned all-tournament honors at the Coleman Classic as well as the Red & Blue Classic. In addition to picking up four volleyball varsity letters, Dechant was a four-year member of the nationally recognized cheerleading squad while running track and field for three years.
Emily Ellis | Middle Hitter | 6-0
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Rampart HS)
Emily Ellis is the first of two future Tigers from Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. Ellis lettered in volleyball two times while also participating in track & field and swimming. She earned all-league honors each season, picking up first team honors once and second team honors once. The middle hitter compiled 292 kills and 137 total blocks in her career with the Rams. She has been listed on the honor roll as well as the dean’s list three times.
Mykah Eshbaugh | Outside Hitter/Rightside Hitter | 6-1
Concordia, Kan. (Allen D. Nease HS)
Mykah Jo Eshbaugh will head to Hays after graduating from Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Fla. The 6-1 hitter was twice named to All-First Coast, earning first team honors as a senior after picking up second team accolades as a junior. Eshbaugh played her first two seasons at Concordia (Kan.) High School, earning first team All-State and all-league honors both years. Mykah earned all-state tournament honors in 2015 and 2016 while helping the Lady Panthers to a pair of state runner-up finishes. Mykah joins her sister, Jordan Eshbaugh, on the Tiger roster.
Delaney Humm | Outside Hitter | 5-9
Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X HS)
Delaney Humm is the second signee from Pius X High School. Humm earned three letters for the Thunderbolts, picking up multiple All-State honors. The outside hitter was named first team Class A All-State as a senior in 2018 after earning second team honors as a junior. Additionally, Humm was named to the third team of the All-Class All-State roster in 2018. She picked up first team all-city honors in 2018 after an honorable mention nod in 2017. Delaney was named first team all-state tournament after leading the Thunderbolts to a runner-up finish in 2018. She has been named on the honor roll each of the last two years thanks to her work in the classroom.
Haley McCorkle | Setter | 5-5
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Rampart HS)
Haley McCorkle joins high school teammate Emily Ellis as the second signee from Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. McCorkle picked up two varsity letters with the Rams, serving as the primary setter as a senior after seeing significant playing time as a junior. Haley was selected to play in the CCGS All-State game as a senior in 2018 after earning second team all-conference honors. She was named team captain, helping lead the Rams to a league title. McCorkle led the Colorado Springs Metro League in assists and aces as a senior, totaling 731 assists and 54 aces. Additional accolades include honorable mention Academic All-State honors as well as an XTRA Sports Drive Time Athlete of the Week award.
| 2019 Fort Hays State Volleyball Signing Class | ||||
| Name | Position | Height | Hometown | High School |
| Paige Baird | OH/DS | 5-7 | Long Island, Kan. | Northern Valley HS |
| Morgan Christiansen | MH | 6-0 | Lincoln, Neb. | Piux X HS |
| Paige Dechant | S | 5-9 | Hutchinson, Kan. | Trinity Catholic HS |
| Emily Ellis | MH | 6-0 | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Rampart HS |
| Mykah Jo Eshbaugh | OH/RS | 6-1 | Concordia, Kan. | Allen D. Nease HS |
| Delaney Humm | OH | 5-9 | Lincoln, Neb. | Piux X HS |
| Haley McCorkle | S | 5-5 | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Rampart HS |