NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion volleyball and head coach Fred Chao announced on Monday the addition of three more players to the team’s 2024 recruiting class.
"We are excited about the addition of Hailee, Alexa, and Tshilanda to our program," said Chao. "All three will add depth, competitiveness, and have the potential to make an early impact on our level."
Hailee Blankenship | Outside Hitter | Goode, Va. | King University (Jefferson Forest High School)
An outside hitter from Goode, Virginia, Blankenship comes to ODU after playing four years at NCAA Division II school King University (Tenn.), where she was a Second Team All-Conference Carolinas selection in 2022 and 2023. Through 99 matches and 344 sets with the Tornado, she accumulated 1,094 kills (3.18/set), 51 assists, 166 service aces, 981 digs (2.85/set), 81 blocks and 1,300.5 points. She recorded 16 double-doubles during the 2023 season, was named her conference’s Player of the Week twice, and added a Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week nod as well.
Blankenship garnered Second Team All-State and First Team All-Area, All-District and All-Region her senior year at Jefferson Forest High School. She also helped her school capture two district titles during her sophomore and senior seasons and reached the state quarterfinals her final year with the Cavaliers. Additionally, Blankenship played club ball with the River Valley Juniors and Next Revolution Volleyball.
"Hailee is an experienced outside who has earned accolades throughout her career at King University. She carried huge offensive loads and has a wide range of tools to be effective in the very competitive Sun Belt Conference. As the reigning female Student-Athlete of the Year, Hailee has demonstrated commitment to excellence that will translate well to ODU,” said Chao.
Why ODU?
"I enjoyed the family aspect that the coaches presented along with a culture that cares about volleyball and the relationships formed from the experiences it presents. I felt like this was the right environment to finish my last year of eligibility because of that."
Alexa Earle | DS/Libero | Austin, Texas | Lake Travis High School
A defensive specialist/libero from Austin, Texas, Earle helped her team at Lake Travis High School reach the state championship Elite 8 in 2022 and Sweet 16 in 2023. She secured JV Defensive Player of the Year honors, was named a District 26-6A Honorable Mention, and earned THSCA Academic All-State Second Team honors.
Earle also played for the Texas Fury Volleyball Club. Her team finished third at Nationals in 2024 and she landed on the All-Tournament Team.
"Alexa has demonstrated a strong skillset in the libero position. Coupled with a competitive mindset and positive presence, she will help anchor our backrow defense," continued Chao.
Why ODU?
"I loved the campus and the girls, plus it’s close to a lot of my family."
Tshilanda Diouf | Outside Hitter | Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, France | McNeese State (Lycée Maurice Genevoix)
An outside hitter from Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, France, Diouf joins the Monarchs after spending her freshman season at McNeese State. The Southland Conference’s Freshman of the Year, she started 19 of the 24 matches she appeared in for the Cowgirls and scored 114 kills. She finished the season ranked third on her team and fourth in the league with 73 blocks (18 solo) and added Second Team All-SLC honors. Her other 2023 season totals included seven assists, 12 services aces, 50 digs and 171.5 points.
Diouf competed in France’s Pro B League while attending Lycée Maurice Genevoix for high school. She was a member of the Provence Volley Club Team and France Avenir Club Team, played three years with the National Team, and qualified for the U16, U17/18 and U18/20 European Championships.
"Tshilanda will be making the switch back to an outside hitter role, though her performance as a middle earned her Freshman of the Year accolades last season. She is a dynamic athlete on a trajectory to play at a very high level, as evidenced by her involvement in the French development programs,” Chao said of Diouf.
Why ODU?
"I chose ODU thanks to Coach Chao. He really made me feel like I would fit in well there and that I could develop both as a player and as a person."