EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE volleyball signed four players for the 2025 season, welcoming Mackenzie Higgins (Mason, Ohio), Charlotte Dudik (Indianapolis, Ind.), Georgia Bresnahan (Westfield, Ind.) and Ashlyn Schulze (Osceola, Wis.), announced Head Coach Kendall Paulus.
 
"This class is athletic, versatile and determined," Paulus said. "They work hard and are fantastic teammates. They are driven academically and athletically and want to be pushed at the highest level in both areas. We are not just bringing in talented players with this class, but also great people."
 
Higgins a 5'7" libero, joins the Cougars from Ursuline Academy, where she played volleyball all four years and helped her team to a 19-8 record in her senior year. She was also recognized as the all-district second team after her team finished runner-up in the 2024 Ohio state championship. Higgins also received the leadership and hardest worker award and was the senior all-star match representative.
 
"Mackenzie is coming in as a libero/DS," Paulus stated. "She has a lot of high-level experience coming in. We love how fast and dynamic she is. She can take up a lot of court as both a passer and defender. She moves well and has a great feel for the ball. Her court presence and leadership will add value right away. She loves to learn, compete and is extremely driven both on the court and off."
 
Dudik a 5'10" outside, comes to Edwardsville from Bishop Chatard High School. Here she played volleyball and was a high jumper for her track and field team. In her senior year she helped her volleyball team to a 21-9 record. She also set a record in the high jump of 5'7".
 
"Charlotte is coming in as an opposite/outside hitter," Paulus said. "She is super athletic and has a high ceiling. She has a diverse background in athletics and dance that will aid in her growth. Her attack and block height make her a great right-side option. She jumps so easily and has really worked to expand her range of shots. She has a ton of personality and is a fun person to be around. Her energy is contagious and makes her a fun person to play next to."
 
Bresnahan a 5'10" outside comes to SIUE from Westfield High School. During her final year of volleyball her team had a 26-2 record. She was also recognized to the all-conference first team and was a 17U AAU all-American in 2025. Bresnahan was also a part of the national honor society.
 
"Georgia is a 6-rotation, outside attacker," Kendal Paulus said. "Her front and back court play are equally impressive. She's disciplined, dynamic and has amazing footwork. She knows how to move the ball around as an attacker which allows her to score at a high rate. Her court IQ is one of her best strengths. She plays with a fun mix of composure and competitiveness. She works her tail off and is dialed in on every point. To be named an AAU All-American is a huge accomplishment and is a testament to the hard work she puts in."
 
Schulze a 6'1" middle, joins the team from New Richmond High School. Here she played volleyball and helped captain her team to a 26-9 record in her senior year. She also set records in kills, total points, kill per set, aces and points per set. Schulze was recognized for the top 5 percent honor roll and was an all-conference player for volleyball.
 
"What's fun about Ashlyn is that she can also play outside and 6 rotations," Paulus states. "She can hit all tempos across the net, and we've seen her be successful at all of them. She can hit off both 1 and 2 feet. Her arm is powerful and has a lot of range that will add a lot of dynamic options to our middle position. She has great blocking footwork and a strong net presence. She works hard and has a high court IQ.
 
Higgins, Dudik, Bresnahan and Schulze mark the first additions to Paulus's 2026 roster.
 
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