Beach Volleyball Adds Graduate Transfer Lauryn Gillis for 2018-19
June 15, 2018
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina beach volleyball team added a high-level graduate transfer to the 2019 roster on Friday, as Lauryn Gillis signed her letter of intent with the Gamecocks. The New Castle, Ind. native spent the past three seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers indoor program, leading the Big 10 power deep into the postseason each year.
“We’re excited for Lauryn to join our family and see her take off as a beach volleyball player,” head coach Moritz Moritz said. “Her personality and drive is so dynamic, there’s no doubt she will be a difference-maker for us on and off the sand.”
Gillis is the third signee for the 2018-19 season, joining incoming freshmen Abby Carroll (Southlake, Texas) and Jordan Smith (West Chester, Ohio).
Gillis played in 108 career matches as an indoor volleyball student-athlete, 21 as a freshman at Southern Cal and 87 with Wisconsin. In that time, she totaled over 1,000 career kills and 500 digs and helped the Badgers reach the Sweet 16 in 2017, the regional final in 2016 and the regional semifinal in 2015.
“Having Lauryn’s experience and success in high-stakes postseason matches will be key for us as we look to make another run to the tournament next year,” Moritz added. “We’ve had tremendous success tailoring indoor volleyball skills to the beach game, but you can’t teach the mental toughness she has gained over her years with Wisconsin.”
Coming out of high school, Gillis was a three-time all-state honoree and was the 2013 Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year for Indiana. She played club volleyball for Munciana and was a four-time AAU All-American.
The Gamecocks are coming off another record-setting season in 2018, winning a program-high 24 matches and earning the sixth seed in the eight-team NCAA tournament field. It was South Carolina’s second postseason berth ever, and third-straight season with 20 or more wins.
