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Volleyball Inks Four Freshman for 2022

Volleyball Inks Four Freshman for 2022Volleyball Inks Four Freshman for 2022


NORFOLK, Va. – Head coach of the Old Dominion volleyball program Fred Chao announced today the signing of four incoming freshman. Ashlynn Belcher, Bailey Burgess, Jennifer Olansen and Gerren Tomlin will join the Monarchs for the 2022 season.
 
"We are excited about the new additions to the Monarch family," Chao said. "I have enjoyed getting to know them through the recruiting process. Each of them possesses a drive and focus that has elevated them to levels that will make immediate impacts in our gym and in our matches."
 
Ashlynn Belcher | Setter | Marengo, Ohio | Highland
Belcher was a four-year varsity player for Highland High School in Sparta, Ohio, where she holds program records for most career assists with 2,464 (8.3 per set). Additionally, she co-owns the school record for most service aces in a season.
 
With Highland, Belcher won four sectional championships, two district championships and one regional title and was the D2 state runner-up in 2019. Belcher never lost a league match over her four-year career, continuing Highland's nine-year winning streak over league opponents.
 
Last season, Belcher was named First Team All-MOAC League and All-Central District and was a second team all-state honoree. She participated in both the 2021 district all-star game and the state all-star game. In 2019, Belcher was second team all-area selection. She received KMAC All-League Honorable mentions in 2018.
 
Belcher was a 4.0 student and a member of the National Honors Society. She is the daughter of former pitcher and 1988 World Series winner Tim Belcher. 
 
"Ashlynn is a highly intelligent volleyball player," Chao said. "As a setter, she chooses the right weapon at the right time. She is accurate and possesses strong range for sets in front and behind. She connects well with her middles and is not afraid to take risks. Ashlynn is also a strong server and defender, both of which are important to the setting job."
 
Why ODU?
"The volleyball coaches at ODU met me at nationals in 2021, and everything I learned about the volleyball program and the school felt like it was exactly where I was supposed to be."


 
Bailey Burgess | Middle Blocker | Raleigh, N.C. | Wakefield
Burgess was a four-year varsity starter for Wakefield High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was a four-time all-conference selection and a two-time conference offensive player of the year in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, she garnered second team all-state recognition in 2021 and all-region honors in 2019 and 2020.
 
Burgess made the AVCA All-American watch list and the Under Armour All-American watch list in 2021 and appeared four times each on the AVCA Phenom List (2018-21) and the Ultra Ankle JVA watch list (2018-21).
 
Wakefield's most valuable player in 2021, she helped lead her club team, NC Academy, to the 17 Open and 18 Open Nationals.
 
Burgess currently holds a 4.05 GPA and wants to become a sports psychologist. Her father, Tim Burgess, played football at North Carolina from 1996-2000. 
 
"Bailey is a big-time competitor with an infectious personality," Chao said. "Her competitive drive has fueled her development into a well-rounded middle with a very effective slide attack. She also manages the messy plays well and finds a way to make each play better."
 
Why ODU?
"I chose ODU because it is close to home and because of the coaching staff and to be part of a new program."
 



Jennifer Olansen | Outside Hitter | Virginia Beach, Va. | First Colonial
Olansen was a four-year varsity player for First Colonial in Virginia Beach and was a three-time state semifinalist. As a senior, she led the Patriots to the VHSL 5A State semifinals and received first team all-state and first team all-region honors, tallying 223 kills, 78 digs, 27 aces and 24 blocks. She missed her junior season due to injury but notched 223 kills, 78 digs, 27 aces and 24 blocks as a sophomore as First Colonial reached the VHSL 5A State semis. 
 
Olansen received First Colonial Player of the Year honors in 2021 and was a four-time FCHS Academic All-Star as well as a member of the National Honor Society and the SCA Executive Council. She plans to become an orthopedic surgeon and chose ODU because the volleyball program will help her grow into the athlete she wants to become and because the University will help her achieve her academic goals.
 
Olansen is a double-legacy Monarch, and both her parents represented ODU in varsity athletic competition. Her father, Nathan Olansen, played goalkeeper for the men's soccer team from 1991-95, and her mother, Stephanie Smith, played women's tennis from 1994-98.
 
"Jennifer is a tough athlete," Chao said. "We are fortunate to have her as both a volleyball player and as a model of toughness. Over the years, she has reworked important aspects of her game to channel her natural explosiveness. She is a powerful attacker and solid ball control player."
 
Why ODU?
"I chose ODU because being part of the volleyball program will help me grow into the athlete I want to become, and being part of the university will help me achieve my academic goals.
 



Gerren Tomlin | Outside Hitter | Statesville, N.C. | Davidson Day School
Tomlin is a former state champion, winning it all with Davidson Day School as a sophomore in 2019. That season, she notched 185 kills and 193 digs and received all-conference and all-state recognition.
 
The following season, Tomlin averaged 5.8 kills per set (239 kills, 41 sets played) en route to Foothills Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player, all-conference and all-state honors. She also earned Charlotte Observer Player of the Week honors.
 
Tomlin missed time as a senior but still logged 266 kills across 51 sets (5.2 per set) and led Davidson Day to the state title game. She once again received both all-state and all-conference accolades.
 
Her high school career began at West Iredell High School, where she played on the varsity team as a freshman and was a third team all-county selection.
 
Tomlin has been a perennial honor roll student and wants to become a speech pathologist. 
 
"Gerren brings an explosiveness to our gym that will immediately raise our level," Chao said. "She can attack from anywhere on the court and can also defend sideline-to-sideline. I have been fortunate to watch her grow from a 12-year-old camper with a lethal swing into the intelligent and dynamic volleyball player she is now."
 
Why ODU?
"I chose ODU because the conversations with all the coaches felt genuine and not forced, and I was comfortable. From the moment I stepped foot on campus I knew this was where I was supposed to be, and it just felt like another home away from home."