Two other additions, middle blocker Phoebe Awoleye from Loyola Marymount and opposite hitter Lydia Grote from Cal, may have only been familiar to the deeply knowledgeable college volleyball fan.
That is about to change.
"I told them throughout training camp, you belong here, especially those who don't have as much familiarity with the [Big Ten] as Lydia and Phoebe," Cook said. "They certainly showed that. ... Pretty remarkable start to their careers."
All three are seniors — though Grote and Awoleye have another year of eligibility — with experience and high expectations. Their presence creates mutual benefits. They get to compete on a team that already featured players such as Taylor Landfair, Mckenna Wucherer and Melani Shaffmaster, and their additions mean the roster can compete with anyone.
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