SAN ANTONIO – Trinity University Volleyball is welcoming a class of six highly decorated newcomers to their program this fall. Head Coach Julie Jenkins will be entering her 39th year at the helm of the Tigers' program, coming off an impressive national championship run in the 2022 season.
 
Last fall the volleyball team posted a record of 30-5, earning their 27th NCAA Tournament berth in program history. Despite accumulating yet another undefeated regular-season record in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play, the Tigers fell just short of winning their 21st conference championship title. Trinity still earned a bid to the national tournament and battled all the way to the NCAA III Championship Match – their second-ever appearance in school history – where they finished as the national runner-up.
 
At the end of the season, Trinity Volleyball claimed the second-place spot in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association national rankings, their third time in four seasons. This is also the Tigers' ninth time to be ranked in the top five of the final AVCA poll.
 
Meet the 2023 Class Below!
 
#8 Lauren McCarthy

6'0 Outside/Right Side
Horizon High School / Revolution Volleyball Academy
Scottsdale, Arizona
Parents: Autumn & Brian McCarthy
Intended Major: Marketing with a Minor in Sport Management
Why I Chose Trinity: "I chose Trinity because of the phenomenal academics, beautiful campus, and amazing volleyball program."
What I am most excited about: "I am most excited to live somewhere so green, meet new people, and play volleyball all while getting an amazing education."
High School Honors:
2022 District Champion
2022 State Champion
2021 District Champion
2021 State Runner-Up

#12 Courtney Pope

6'2 Middle Blocker
Canyon High School / San Antonio Magic
New Braunfels, Texas
Parents: Kim & Chris Pope
Intended Major: Mathematics
Why I Chose Trinity: "I chose Trinity because it has both an amazing volleyball program and stellar academics, while also being close to home."
What I am most excited about: "I'm excited to compete at the next level with such a talented group of girls."
High School Honors:
Three-Time First Team All-District (2020, 2021, 2022)
2022 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention
2022 GJNC 17 USA Bronze Medalist
2022 Team Captain
2021 Texas UIL-5A State Semi-Finalist

#15 Connelley McWilliams

6'0 Outside/Right Side
St. Michael's Catholic Academy / Roots Volleyball Club
Austin, Texas
Parents: Ginger & Ripley McWilliams
Intended Major: Biology/Pre-Med
Why I Chose Trinity: "I chose Trinity I believe I will be able to balance academics and athletics at Trinity, there is a stigma of high academic success of the students in the science department, and the acceptance rate into medical school is strong."
What I am most excited about: "I am excited to meet new people and learn new things in the classes that I will take at Trinity!"
High School Honors:
Three-Time TAPPS All-District Honoree (2019, 2020, 2022)
2022 TAPPS All-State
Two-Time TAPPS All-State Academic (2021, 2022)
2022 Team Captain

#19 Kathryn Detweiler (Junior Transfer)

5'10 Right Side
Goshen High School / Cornerstone University
Goshen, Indiana
Parent: Clayton Detweiler
Intended Major: Marketing
Why I Chose Trinity: "I chose Trinity because it checked all the boxes for me as I was in my transfer process. On my visit it really felt like somewhere I could see myself being pushed and growing in my volleyball and academic careers. The campus, girls on the team, and coaches made me feel so welcomed, and that made Trinity feel like a place I could call home."
What I am most excited about: "I am really excited to join a team with so many talented players, and such a championship minded program. I feel extremely grateful and am ready for the competition and growth that is to come. I also am looking forward to a strong academic education with great professors."
High School Honors:
2022 CoSIDA Academic All-District
2021 Team MVP
2021 All-District Team
2021 All-Conference
2020 All-Conference Honorable Mention

#21 Marissa Drange (Sophomore Transfer)

5'10 Outside
Boerne Champion High School / Idaho University
Boerne, Texas
Parents: Kathryn & Ed Drange
Intended Major: Business Administration, emphasis in Marketing
Why I Chose Trinity: "I chose Trinity because of their reputation for academic excellence, and the opportunity to play volleyball for a winning program."
What I am most excited about: "I am beyond excited to be a Trinity Tiger because they foster a successful environment for their student-athletes. I wanted to play for a coach with a passion for the game that I love. I feel blessed to join a team that thrives in a competitive atmosphere."
High School Honors:
Two-Time San Antonio Express News All-Area Team (2019, 2021)
2020 American Volleyball Coaches Association National Phenom List
2019 District 26-5A Offensive MVP
First Player at Champion High School to reach 1,000 kills
2018 Freshman Volleyball Newcomer of the Year

#24 Kendall DeRivel

5'7 Setter
Viewpoint High School / Lava West
Westlake Village, California
Parents: Tracy & Baptiste DeRivel
Intended Major: Business
Why I Chose Trinity: "I chose Trinity because of its high academics and the amazing volleyball program Coach Jenkins has built."
What I am most excited about: "I am excited to be entering a competitive program, being coached by one of the GOATS, and for the lifelong friendships I will make."
High School Honors:
2022 Team Captain and MVP
Two-Time First Team All-League (2021, 2022)
2021 Team Offensive MVP
2019 All-League Honorable Mention
Six-Time Club Team Captain (2017-2023)