Baylor Volleyball Inks Five on National Signing Day
WACO, Texas – Baylor volleyball signed five student-athletes to national letters of intent for the 2019 season, announced by head coach Ryan McGuyre on Wednesday.
The Bears signed three outside hitters in Kynnedi Johnson (Pearland, Texas), Sara Jones (Solana Beach, Calif.) and Campbell Bowden (El Paso, Texas), one setter in Kennedy Feuerborn (Overland Park, Kan.) and one middle blocker in Kara McGhee (San Antonio, Texas).
The 2019 class has the second-most Under Armour All-America selections in the nation with four honorees (McGhee, Johnson, Feuerborn and Bowden). All four also made PrepVolleyball.com’s top 150 players in the country, including a program-best No. 6 by McGhee.
“We hit a homerun with our 2019 class,” McGuyre said. “The group of women will all have an immediate impact upon the program and will enhance and strengthen what Baylor volleyball is all about. The goal is not to just fill a roster with talent, but to build a team. Collectively this group is physically talented, technically skilled, and strong in character and grit. Most importantly, they will strengthen our team.”
A 6-foot-4 middle blocker from Clark High School, Kara McGhee is the second Under Armour First Team All-American and highest-ranked recruit in program history at No. 6 by PrepVolleyball.com. Averaging 4.2 kills as a senior, she hit a career mark of .464 out of the middle.
“Kara is a Christ-like warrior,” McGuyre said. “She has a very heavy arm and plays above the net at a high level. Her size, strength, speed, power and servant leadership will capture our fans awe and hearts.”
Kynnedi Johnson, an all-district and all-academic performer from Dawson High School and recently named Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American, finished her career by averaging 4.3 kills per set while averaging an impressive .324 hitting percentage during her senior season.
“Kynnedi is a young woman of power, passion, and perseverance,” McGuyre said. “She is a high-flying attacker with sizzling heat and possesses the ability to score in multiple ways. Her power and intelligence combined with her coachability will allow her to shine bright in the Baylor tradition of high scoring outsides. Her smile and swag are sure to be a fan highlight.”
A Kansas all-state selection in 2018, Kennedy Feuerborn was named an Honorable Mention Under Armour All-American after posting over 800 assists her senior season at Blue Valley North High School.
“Kennedy is a dynamic and aggressive setter with intrinsic leadership abilities and a driven desire to both win and improve,” McGuyre said. “Her size at 6-3 allows her to be an offensive threat and a defensive wall at the net. She epitomizes strength and toughness. Her drive is inspiring.”
An Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American from El Paso, Campbell Bowden averaged 7.3 kills and 4.6 digs per set in her senior season at Coronado High School.
“Campbell is an amazing talent that already captures what Baylor volleyball is all about,” McGuyre said. “As an attacker, Campbell knows how to score. As a defender, she is relentless and quick and knows how to read the hitters. She brings a spirit of competitive love. She loves to compete and wins.”
Rounding out the 2019 class, Sara Jones averaged an impressive .367 hitting efficiency while putting down 171 kills as a senior at Santa Fe Christian High School.
“Sara Jones brings the versatility of playing several positions with a competitive drive and a heart for the bigger picture,” McGuyre said. “Her maturity and insightfulness on the court reflects a high volleyball IQ. Her skill and strength of character will help to multiply the best of who we are.”
McGuyre adds to an elite squad that will return 14 letterwinners and is currently 18-7 overall and 10-4 in conference play.