CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson volleyball head coach Jackie Simpson Kirr has announced the addition of seven signees to the incoming class of 2022 on Wednesday. This is Simpson Kirr’s first signing class as the head coach at Clemson, previously serving as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the Tigers for four seasons. Sophie Catalano (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Brooklyn Conner (Ada, Mich.), Mia McGrath (Deerfield, Ill.), Becca Michelle (Naples, Fla.), Mia Moore (Frisco, Texas), Maggie Patterson (Gaffney, S.C.) and Caroline Sele (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) will join the roster in the fall of 2022.
“I’m extremely excited for the 2022 class to join our program,” said Simpson Kirr. “They all bring unique skillsets, but something they all have in common is their desire to pursue excellence. We can’t wait to have them join our Clemson Family!
I’m incredibly proud of the work our current roster is putting in this spring to set the foundation for when our 2022 class arrives on campus.”
Sophie Catalano • 5-10 • Opposite • Pittsburgh, Pa. • Pine-Richland HS
- Two-time captain of Pine-Richland HS volleyball team
- Four-time First Team All-WPIAL selection (2018-21)
- Selected to Pennsylvania’s Big 56 Team in 2019, 2020 and 2021
- First Team All-State selection in 2020 and 2021
- 2019 and 2020 AVCA Phenom Watch List
- 2020 Prep Volleyball Top 150
- 2020 Top 10 Open Club Team
- 2019 and 2020 JVA Ultra Ankle Watch List
- 2019 North Coast Power League All-Tournament Team
Kirr stated: “Sophie is a dynamic attacker who can play on either pin. She is a tremendous teammate with a strong desire to make the people around her better. There is no doubt she will have a positive impact on our program both on and off the court.”
Brooklyn Conner • 6-3 • Middle Blocker • Ada, Mich. • Forest Hills Central HS
- Was a Miss Volleyball Finalist during her senior season
- Second Team All-State selection as a senior
- Third Team All-State selection as a junior
- All-State Honorable Mention as a sophomore
- Three-time All-Region selection
- Named an AVCA Third Team All-American
- Was a AVCA All-Region member as a junior and senior
- Two-time All-Conference selection
According to Kirr: “Brooklyn is a great attacker off one foot and will fit into our offensive system well. She is a winner and has done so at every level of play. Her competitive drive will help our team reach new heights.”
Mia McGrath • 5-11 • Outside Hitter • Deerfield, Ill. • Loyola Academy
- AVCA All-American Second Team in 2021
- Set a school record with 45 aces and 306 kills as a senior to be named Loyola Academy’s MVP
- Three-time GCAC All-Conference selection
- AVCA Best and Brightest Second Team member
- AVCA Phenom in 2020
- Crimson Classic 32 Team Tournament MVP
- Wheaton Warrenville All-Tournament selection
- Glenbrook North All-Tournament Team
- Captain during the 2021 season
- Chicago Dailey Herald Athlete of the Week on Sept. 9, 2021
Kirr stated: “Mia has a great all-around game and will help our ball control. She can score from anywhere on the court and has a competitive spirit that is contagious. She is truly a selfless teammate who can rally the team in good times or bad.”
Becca Michelle • 5-3 • Libero/Defensive Specialist • Naples, Fla. • Community School of Naples
- Helped Community School of Naples become three-time District Champs
- Selected as a team captain
- Second Team All-Area selection
- Earned the Competitor Award at CSN
- Holds the school record at CSN for digs and digs per game
According to Kirr: “Becca is a fiery defender who know how to get a team going! She loves to compete and brings her teammates along with her. As a passer, she has a natural touch on the ball and her strong beach volleyball skills will transfer well to our back court.”
Mia Moore • 6-0 • Opposite/Right Side • Frisco, Texas • Frisco Heritage HS
- Four-time First Team All-District selection
- 2020 AVCA All-Region selection
- AVCA Phenom List in 2020
- Named Newcomer of the Year in FISD
- Offensive Player of the Year in 2019
- MVP of School in 2018 and Co-MVP in 2020
- A Dallas-Fort Worth Player of the Week in 2020
- Holds the most kills at Heritage HS with 1,425 kills while also recording 829 digs
Kirr says: “Mia has a whip of her arm and can score in or out of system. She is a dynamic and physical blocker who brings a ton of fire and energy to the court. Tiger fans will fall in love with her celebrations after a big kill.”
Maggie Patterson • 5-7 • Libero/Defensive Specialist • Gaffney, S.C. • St. Joseph’s Catholic School
- Two-time All-Region selection (2020-21)
- All-State selection in 2021
- Helped St. Joseph’s Catholic School to become three-time State Champions
- Named a captain during the 2020 and 2021 seasons
- AAU National Championship Runner-Up in 2021 with the Axis Elite Volleyball clubs
- Finished her high school career with 1,000 digs
- Selected for the North/South Game in 2021
According to Kirr: “We love when we can have talented student-athletes from right here in South Carolina join our program. Maggie is a great defender, brings a ton of positive energy and knows how to get her attackers fired up!”
Caroline Sele • 6-2 • Setter/Right Side • San Juan Capistrano, Calif. • St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
- Helped lead St. Margaret’s Episcopal School to being 2021 league champions
- Captain of the varsity team as a senior
- Named the San Joaquin League Player of the Year in 2021
- Played club ball for the T-Street Volleyball Club and A4 Volleyball Club
- Served as captain of the T-Street Volleyball Club as a freshman and sophomore
Kirr stated: “Caroline can do it all. She can attack or set which will allow us to do a lot in our offensive system. As a setter her height allows for a high release point which will connect well with our high-flying attackers. She truly loves to learn and grow and is hungry for feedback on how to improve.”
The current volleyball squad rounded out its spring semester with scrimmages against College of Charleston (March 5), Citadel (March 6) and Wofford (March 11). For more information on Clemson Volleyball, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok @ClemsonVB.
