ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team and head coach Mary Tendler announced the addition of three future Phoenix on Thursday, November 14.  
 
Ellie Hunt (San Ramon Valley / Danville, Cal.) April Rice (Lemont High School / Lemont, Ill.) and Alexandra Schultz (Eden High School / Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada) will join the Phoenix for the 2025 season.
 
"We are so excited to welcome Ellie, April, Allie and their families to Elon University," said Tendler. "All three fit the positional needs we have within our program and excel in the classroom. They are driven to compete and win at the highest level."
Ellie Hunt • Danville, Cal. • San Ramon Valley • Right Side • 6-0
A four-year varsity player at Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley, Hunt was part of the North Coast Section Championship teams in 2021 and 2022. She was recognized as SRV Volleyball Athlete of the Month in November 2023 and September 2024 and was also named the 49ers Cal-High Female Athlete of the Week in September 2024. Hunt played club volleyball for NorCal Volleyball Club and Vision Volleyball Club 18 Gold, with her NorCal 16 Black team finishing 21st in the top division at nationals.
 
"Ellie constantly competes against top level teams, which has enabled her to improve each year and will allow her to transition easily to the college level," Tendler said. "She is a smart player that has the size and athleticism to score points as both a blocker and hitter at the pin."
 

April Rice • Lemont, Ill. • Lemont High School • Setter • 5-11
A four-year letter winner and starter at Lemont High School, Rice was a four-time conference champion and three-time IHSA regional champion. She earned All-Conference Team honors three times in the South Suburban Conference. In 2024, she received First Team All-State recognition from the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association. Rice was a four-time invitee and participant in the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program. She was also named to the AVCA Phenom List in 2022 and 2023 and was selected for the All-American Watch List in 2024.
 
"April can impact a match in many ways. As a physical, left-handed setter she will be an offensive threat that can create great opportunities for her teammates to score," Tendler said. "She strives to be great in everything she does and plays with a high level of confidence."
 

Alexandra Schultz • Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada • Eden High School • Outside Hitter • 6-0
A three-year varsity player at Eden High School, Schultz was a three-time Zone Champion and SOSSA Champion in 2021. During her time at Eden, she also claimed titles at the Eden Tournament, Simcoe Tournament, Ancaster Tournament, and St. Jean Brebeuf Tournament. Schultz played club volleyball with Rapids Volleyball Club and Defensa Volleyball Club. She won Gold at the Canada Cup for Team Ontario and at the President's Day Challenge.
 
"Allie is so passionate about the sport of volleyball; she just loves to train and compete," Tendler said. "She has the athletic ability and the skill set to be a productive 6-rotation player and there is no doubt that she will just keep getting better and better."