Get to Know Our 2023 Incoming Freshman Class

TUCSON, Ariz. - Head coach Steve Walker and the Arizona beach volleyball program signed seven student-athletes in November of 2022, one of the top recruiting classes in the country and in the history of the program according to various recruiting rankings.

Below we take a look at each of the seven signees from across the country as they prepare to join the program this Fall.

Brooke Boyko

5-10 | Split Blocker

Gilbert, Ariz.

Campo Verde High School

Played two seasons of indoor volleyball and one season of beach volleyball in high school
Earned all-region honors for indoor volleyball as a freshman and sophomore
Played club volleyball with Volley4Life
Won the AVPA & p1440 Triple Crown Series and the West Coast Championship qualifier in 2022
Qualified for the AVP Junior Nationals in 2022
Has finished first or second in 13 different club beach volleyball tournaments over the past two years
Reason for choosing Arizona: "I love the coaches and the whole atmosphere of the team. And it's also not too close to home but not too far either."
Potential career ambition: registered nurse or orthopedic surgeon

Jess Horwath

6-1 | Split Blocker

Barrington, Illinois

Barrington High School

Played four seasons of indoor volleyball in high school
Selected to the U17 U.S. National Team Development Program in 2021 & 2023
Named 2022 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention for indoor volleyball
Was a three-time all-state honoree in Illinois Class 4A
Played club beach volleyball for Progression Beach Volleyball in Darien, Ill.
Father, Rich, was a goalkeeper for the men's soccer programs at UConn and DePaul
A five-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball and track & field, where she qualified for the Junior Olympics in the long jump and 100-meter hurdles
Reason for choosing Arizona: "I chose the University of Arizona because I believe Coach Walker and the culture he's developed will maximize my potential as a player. The opportunity to play in the Pac-12 and the beautiful campus were also positive factors in my decision."
Potential career ambition: Sports psychology because it combines my fascination with the human mind and helping athletes

Olivia McElroy

5-10 | Split Blocker

Cornelius, N.C.

William A Hough High School

Named to Fab 50 list by VolleyballMag.com
Played four years of indoor volleyball, two years of basketball and one season of track and field (long jump, high jump)
Named to the 4A All-State team as a senior and was All-Lake Player of the Year
Won four conference championships in indoor volleyball at William A. Hough High School
Didn't start playing beach volleyball until her sophomore year of high school (2020)
Named Defensive Player of the Year on the basketball team as a sophomore
Played club beach volleyball for Sinjin Beach Club in Raleigh, N.C.
Reason for choosing Arizona: "I chose UofA for the competitive athletic program, the resources and facilities that are available for athletes, the wide variety of academic programs offered and the campus."
Potential career ambition: interested in Real Estate because she enjoys interacting with others and exploring different types of architecture

Kate Phillips

6-1 | Blocker

Phoenix, Ariz.

Valley Christian High School

Named to the Fab 50 list by VolleyballMag.com
Played four years of indoor and beach volleyball in high school
Won Arizona state championship in indoor and beach volleyball as a junior
Named Arizona 3A player of the year for beach volleyball in 2021
Played club beach volleyball for One Beach in Tempe, Ariz.
Placed fifth at the BVCA pairs championship in 2021 and 2022
Father, Jimmy, played college basketball at Dawson Community College
Brother, Logan, plays college basketball at Southern Arkansas University
Reason for choosing Arizona: "It's been my dream ever since I was a little girl to be able to play collegiate volleyball, so to be able to do that at the University of Arizona is a dream come true. It's also amazing because it's so close to home but just far enough away that I'm able to be independent."
Potential career ambition: a marketing representative helping a company create a global brand and growing their business because I love being creative.

Stephanie Rondon Davila

5-10 | Split Blocker

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Colegio Maristas de Guaynabo

Finished third at King of the Court at Miami in 2023
Took third place at the AVP America East Coast Championships in 2021 and second place in 2022
Logged a second place finish at the Olympic committee Beach Gams in Puerto Rico in June 2022
Finished 17th at 2022 FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Turkey while representing Puerto Rico
Also represented her home country at the Norceca Open in 2022
Finished third at the Puerto Rico High School Athletic Alliance (PRHSAA) tournament in 2021 and 2022
Father, Antonio, played indoor volleyball as a student at Rutgers
Reason for choosing Arizona: "I decided to attend the University of Arizona because it has excellent athletic and academic programs and they treat the student-athletes really well."
Potential career ambition: I would like to look into a career in sports medicine.

Tanon Rosenthal

6-0 | Defender

Hermosa Beach, Calif.

Mira Costa High School

Named to the Fab 50 list by VolleyballMag.com
Played three seasons of indoor volleyball and one year of beach volleyball in high school
Named all-district twice and First Team All-Bay League as a senior
Indoor team went 38-5 as a senior and advanced to the state semifinals
Played club beach volleyball for MBsand out of Manhattan Beach, Calif., where she won BVCA tournaments twice
Father, Mike, played football at Notre Dame and eight seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings (1999—2006)
Mother, Lindsay, played volleyball at Notre Dame
Reason for choosing Arizona: "I loved the program and coaches as well as the overall culture of the university and the city of Tucson."

Ashlyn Zilliken

6-2 | Blocker

McKinney, Texas

Bishop Lynn High School

Named to the Fab 50 list by VolleyballMag.com
Played four seasons of indoor volleyball in high school
Won TAPPS Sand Volleyball state championship in 2021 and 2022
Earned TAPPS Second Team All-District as a senior and honorable mention as a junior
Advanced to indoor state championship game as a senior, and received all-tournament team honors
Played club beach volleyball with MadSand in Plano, Texas
Placed fifth at BVCA pairs national championships
Competed on the 2021 Fall Training Series USA Volleyball
Reason for choosing Arizona: The volleyball program and coaches are very strong, but the atmosphere of the school and the campus are great and it offers a variety of majors.
Potential career ambition: interest in criminal law, psychology or human studies

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