With the 2024 season complete, we look ahead to the 2025 season, in particular the six incoming freshmen that signed a National Letter of Intent last year to join the Arizona Beach Volleyball family. 

The six athletes hail from four different states ranging from Illinois to California and have accomplished a lot during their prep careers.  

Below is a little bit more about each of the signees as they prepare to start their college careers at Bear Down Beach:

Madeline Walker

5-9 | Defender

Dallas, Texas 

Highland Park High School

• 2x National Champion (AVP East Coast & BVCA Nationals)

• Was the BVCA 16U National Champion in 2022, the AVP East Coast National Champion in 2021 and the BVCA Best Club National Champion in 2021 & 2022

• Played for Madsand Club in Plano, Texas. During her career at Madsand, the club earned Best Club in 2021, 2022, & 2023 (BVCA Points)

• Potential career ambition: children's therapist or working in pastoral care

• Enjoys playing pickleball, playing with her dog and spending time with friends

• Reason for choosing Arizona: "I chose the University of Arizona for the great team culture, the amazing coaching staff, & the opportunity to pursue a higher education."

Katie Lambeth

5-11 | Split Blocker

Phoenix, Ariz.

Sandra Day O'Connor High School

• Played high school indoor and beach volleyball and lettered in both for 3 years as an outside hitter and a split blocker for beach volleyball

• Named to 6A 1st Team All-Region for high school beach in 2024 and 2nd Team All-Region for high school indoor in 2023

• 3x state champion for Arizona High School Beach Volleyball Division 1 (2022-2024)

• State champion for Arizona High School Indoor Volleyball 6A in 2023

• Ranked 5th in the nation in the BVCA Club v Club in 2023

• High School Athlete of the Month in May 2024

• p1440 Fab 50 athlete (2024)

• Named to 6A All Academic 1st team for High School Indoor and Beach Volleyball from 2021-2024 

• 2nd in the nation for assists in high school beach volleyball in 2024 (148)

• 3rd in the nation for hitting percentage in high school beach volleyball in 2024 (.541)

• 5th in the nation for kills in high school beach volleyball in 2024 (148)

• Qualified for Indoor Volleyball nationals 4 times

• Has a twin brother also attending University of Arizona

• Started a small business at 14 and found a passion for entrepreneurship

• Potential career ambition: starting her own business in a creative field (preferably Interior design)

• Reason for choosing Arizona: "UofA was my absolute dream school and have wanted to play beach volleyball here ever since I was little!"

Leah Norris

5-11 | Blocker

Naperville, Ill. 

Naperville North High School

• Received All-Conference first team honors during her senior year of high school

• Made the Dupage Valley Conference All-Academic Team all four years of high school

• Named an Illinois State Scholar for the 2023-24 academic year

• Received a highschool award for Outstanding English Department Freshman and Sophomore

• Academic Achievement Award for 8 semesters

• Named a Naperville North Booster Club Scholar

• Part of her high school's National Honors Society during junior and senior year and Spanish National Honors Society during junior year

• Competed in neighborhood swim team for the past 11 years

• Potential career ambition: Engineering

• Enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading a book outside and going on runs and walks

• Reason for choosing Arizona: "I decided to attend the University of Arizona because of the amazing coaching staff, the culture, and the community atmosphere. The campus immediately felt like home and the team was so welcoming. Also, Arizona has a great Engineering School that I look forward to attending!"

Sophia Winter

5-11 | Split Blocker

Chico, Calif.

Pleasant Valley High School

• Won Northern California high school championship in 2023 while playing for Pleasant Valley High School with fellow freshman Sadie Moore

• Played four seasons of indoor volleyball and four seasons of beach volleyball at Pleasant Valley High School

• Selected for all star team senior year of high school in 2024

• Selected for first team in 2024

• During beach volleyball career, played in 115 sets, had 304 kills, 38 blocks, 189 digs and 35 aces

• Grandfather played football and ran track at the University of Washington

• Enjoys hanging out with friends, working out, swimming and hiking

• Reason for choosing Arizona: "I loved the facilities here at Arizona and how the town seems to love the college. I also really enjoy the beach volleyball coaching staff."

Sadie Moore

5-11 | Blocker

Chico, Calif.

Pleasant Valley High School

• Played indoor volleyball and beach volleyball for all four years of high school

• Earned All-Conference honors junior and senior years of high school

• Won Northern California High School Club Championship in 2023 while playing for Pleasant Valley High School with fellow freshman Sophia Winter

• Enjoys hanging out with friends, playing pickleball, baking and swimming

• Reason for choosing Arizona: "I chose Arizona because of the positive environment. When I first visited, Steve Walker made me feel so welcomed and it seemed like a great fit for me."

Dissy Brinkerhoff

5-9 | Defender

Queen Creek, Ariz.

American Leadership Academy Gilbert North High School

• Named to All-Region 2nd Team in 9th, 10th, 12th grade

• Named to All-Region 1st Team in 11th grade

• Named to All-State 2nd Team in 11th and 12th grade

• Earned 5th place at BVCA Nationals CVC for VolleyForLife Volleyball Club

• Graduated from American Leadership Academy Gilbert North High School with Summa Cum Laude Honors

• Set the record for most aces in a game for indoor volleyball at her highschool

• Won state championships for indoor volleyball in 2023

• Potential career ambition: Psychology or Chiropractor

• Enjoys hanging out with friends and cliff jumping

• Reason for choosing Arizona: "Because I love the environment and everyone in the beach volleyball team."