CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State volleyball head coach Chuck Voss has announced the addition of six players for the upcoming 2015 season Thursday afternoon, as Mariah Carrero-Johnson (Elyria, Ohio), Tyra Darden (Elyria, Ohio), Rachael Dohar (Strongsville, Ohio), Elizabeth Murphy (Grosse Pointe, Mich.), Kassidy Stilwell (Parma, Ohio), and Rachel Stover (Pleasant Hills, Pa.) are all set to join the Vikings next fall.

All six will enter the 2015 season as freshmen, with four years of eligibility remaining.

"I am extremely happy and excited about this 2015 recruiting class," Voss said. "I think Izzy, Rachel Stover, Mariah, and Tyra are all capable of helping us in the front row next season, while Kassidy and Rachael Dohar will add great depth to our defensive system and will challenge for playing time right away."

Mariah Carrero-Johnson
Carrero-Johnson is a 5-11 middle blocker from Elyria High School who was named All-Northeast Ohio Conference Honorable Mention as a senior after leading her team to a district runner-up finish. She was also named a Lorain County Senior All Star following her final campaign and the Elyria High Brick Wall award winner.

Throughout her high school career, Carrero-Johnson has been named to the High Honor Roll, Honor Roll, and Merit Roll and has been involved with MAC Scholars.

Voss On Carrero-Johnson:  "I think Mariah is an extremely athletic middle hitter who recently picked up the game of volleyball. She will be a great middle hitter for us - when that time comes just depends on how quickly she can adapt to the speed of the collegiate game."

Tyra Darden
Darden, a 5-8 outside hitter, was a four-year starter at Elyria High School, earning multiple accolades throughout her career. As a senior, she was named First Team all-conference, all-county, all-district, and Lorain County Miss Volleyball special mention.

Darden also picked up all-conference, all-county, and all-district honors as a sophomore and junior, while she helped lead Elyria High School to a pair of district runner-up finishes during 2013 and 2014.

Off the court, Darden is part of the National Honor Society, and has been named to the High Honor Roll along with picking up All-Academic honors.

Voss On Darden:  "Tyra is a six-rotation outside hitter who is one of the most explosive players around. She is a fearless outside hitter who is willing to battle against bigger and taller players, and is able to just find ways to score."

Rachael Dohar
Dohar is a 5-4 defensive specialist from Strongsville High School where she was a three-time Northeast Ohio Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Dohar was a three-year varsity starter, and amassed over 1,300 digs on her career.

As a senior, Dohar was named First Team all-conference and First Team all-district after setting three school records. She also picked up all-conference and all-district accolades as a sophomore and junior.

During her high school career, Dohar led Strongsville to three sectional championships, two conference titles, and a regional final appearance.

Voss On Dohar:  "Rachael is a very exciting defensive player who is capable of making those game-changing plays. She is very loud and energetic on the court and will definitely make an impact on our defensive system." 

Elizabeth (Izzy) Murphy
Murphy, a 5-10 outside hitter from Grosse Pointe South High School, will join the Vikings after leading her high school to a Michigan State Tournament Quarterfinal appearance as a senior.

Murphy is a three-time all-conference honoree - picking up First Team accolades as a senior – and was also named First Team all-region and Second Team All-State during her final campaign.

She is also a standout on the track and field team, helping Grosse Pointe South to a Michigan State Championship as a junior. In the classroom, Murphy is a two-time MAC All-Academic honoree.

Voss On Murphy:  "Izzy is a six-rotation outside hitter who has been a standout with her high school and club team. We are thin with six-rotation outside hitters, so we are looking for her to contribute right away. She is equally talented in the front and back row, and has a style of play that is comparable to current Vikings Grace Kauth and Ally Beck."

Kassidy Stilwell
Stilwell is a 5-2 defensive specialist from Valley Forge High School where she was named MVP, all-conference, all-district, and Player of the Year. Stilwell was a four-year starting libero for Valley Forge, where she was also an honor roll student.

Voss On Stilwell:  "Kassidy is a fireball on the court who is consistently on the go. She has a great work ethic and enthusiasm on the court, which will make her a great addition to our back row. Like Rachael, she is also very loud and energetic on the court."

Rachel Stover
Stover, a 6-2 outside hitter from Thomas Jefferson High School, joins the Vikings after leading her team to a sectional championship the past three seasons, along with an eighth place finish in the state tournament as a senior.

The two-time all-state honoree was named the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League Player of the Year as a senior, while also picking up WPIAL first team and all-sectional accolades. Stover also picked up all-sectional honors as a junior and sophomore, while earning a spot on the WPIAL first team as a junior and WPIAL third team as a sophomore.

Voss On Stover:  "Rachel has been a middle hitter for most of her life, but has recently transitioned to rightside/outside hitter. We love her versatility, and believe she can play any front row position for us. She is very talented in the front row, hitting a heavy ball, and is one of the best terminators in Pennsylvania."

"I can't wait to have these six young ladies on campus in August and start working towards capturing another Horizon League Championship. I believe this class will be a crucial piece to our puzzle and I am looking forward to what the 2015 season holds for us," Voss said.