11/30/2022 11:05:00 AM | Volleyball
The Roos will add Payton Benoit, Sydney Huyck and Tess McConnell
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Volleyball ushered in the 2022-23 signing period by adding three new student-athletes. The Roos will welcome Payton Benoit, Sydney Huyck and Tess McConnell to campus next season.
Payton Benoit | 5'7 | L/DS | Wichita, Kan. | Wichita Northwest HS
High School/Club: Played at Wichita Northwest … Three-time Substate champion … Three-time Conference champion … Three-time First Team All-Conference (2020-22) … 2021 Second Team All-Metro … 2019 Honorable Mention All-Conference … Also played soccer, where she was a two-time regional champion, two-time All-Conference Second Team and two-time All-State Honorable Mention … Played club for Wichita Fight Club and Coach Corey Quandt
Personal: Born Oct. 10, 2004 … Parents April and Josh Benoit … Has three siblings, Joshua, Ashlyn and Brooklyn … Brother Joshua plays soccer at Tabor College … Participated in AVID … Four-year honor roll student … Favorite movie is High School Musical 3 … Favorite food is steak … Can 'sing any Justin Bieber song and do every dance move from his music videos' … Intends to major in Business
Why Kansas City: "I love the environment and coaching staff. Also, I grew up coming to Kansas City a lot, so it feels like home."
Coach Posey on Benoit: "Payton will add important depth to our ball handling and defensive specialist core group. She is a gifted athlete having experience at the outside hitter and setter positions as well as libero for her club and high school teams. Whatever position Payton has played for her respective teams, she has been a floor leader and an inspiration for her grit and determination. We'll certainly enjoy and appreciate those qualities in Payton."
Sydney Huyck | 5'9 | OH/DS | Holly Springs, Ga. | Sequoyah HS
High School/Club: Played at Sequoyah HS … First Team All-State … First Team All-Region … As a senior, tallied 369 kills, 46 blocks, 268 digs and 72 aces … Team qualified for GHSA Class 6A State Championship game in 2021 and 2022 ... Played club for A5 Mizuno and Coach Angel Acevedo … Named AAU All-American … Named USAV Nationals All-American
Personal: Born Nov. 12, 2004 in Streamwood, Ill. … Parents Andrea and Jason Huyck … Father Jason played basketball at Marycrest … Has one sister, Avery … Favorite movie is Blind Side … Favorite musical artists are Riley Green and Zach Bryan … Intends to major in Sociology
Why Kansas City: "I chose to play at Kansas City because of the coaching staff, the school size and location and the team's chemistry."
Coach Posey on Huyck:Â "Sydney brings a high level of volleyball IQ with a well-balanced skill set. Her confidence and smooth floor game will allow her to compete for playing time as she adjusts to the college game. Sydney has been an important player to her club team as they have finished in the Top 3 at AAU's and Nationals. She has also led her high school team to the State Championship each of the past two years! Sydney's passion for the game and blue-collar work ethic drew us to her and then we got to know her! Her love for her team and her competitive nature makes her an outstanding recruit for us and we are excited to have her join the Roo Family!"
Tess McConnell | 6'0 | MB | St. Louis, Mo. | Oakville HS
High School/Club: Played at Oakville HS … Team captain as a senior … Three-time All-Conference … Three-time All-District … Collected over 500 kills in her career … Played club for Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite and Coach Gretchen Moser
Personal: Born Dec. 21, 2004 in St. Louis … Parents Jessica Bridwell and Kenny McConnell … Mother Jessica played volleyball at Missouri Baptist … Has three siblings, Kit, Xavier and Maximus … Favorite color is pink … Fun fact about her is that she has double-jointed pinkies … Would like to live in Santorini, Greece … Intends to major in Science
Why Kansas City: "I love Coach Posey and how competitive she is, as well as the location and emphasis on mental health."
Coach Posey on McConnell:Â "Tess has been on our radar for quite a while. Her skill set is geared to our offense as she is athletic, fast, and versatile. She is loved by her teammates at school and club because of her positive outlook and her wicked sense of humor. She made quite an impression on our team on her first visit as she worked to make a connection with each of our players. She is highly motivated to become a teammate and player that is counted on to be a leader on the court and off. Tess brings enthusiasm and energy to everything she does. We believe she will make a difference early in her career. We welcome Tess this January as she will start the learning process in the spring semester!"
