Stony Brook, N.Y. – Stony Brook volleyball head coach Coley Pawlikowski is thrilled to announce that three fantastic student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Seawolves for the 2015 season. McKyla Brooks, Morgan Kath and Taylor Wilson will suit up for Stony Brook as freshmen next fall.

“We are excited about this class,” Pawlikowski said. “McKyla, Morgan and Taylor bring tangibles that will better our group on all levels on and off the court. They are all competitive and hungry to win and love the battle along the way. All around, FIT is really important to us, and this class is a good example of what our group has become and represents. We are excited and proud to have them join us!” 

McKyla Brooks – 5-8 – MH/OH – Buffalo, N.Y./Frontier High School/Niagara Frontier VBC

• Three-year letterwinner and starter at Frontier High School, where she captained the team her senior year

• Helped Frontier High School to 41-12 record in three seasons, including 15-4 mark and New York State quarterfinal berth as a junior in 2013 

• Paced squad in blocks in 2012 and ‘13

• Efficient hitter posted hitting percentages of .300 as a sophomore, .333 as a junior and .367 as a senior

• Volleyball accolades: All-State (2013), All-Western New York (2012, ‘13), All-Tournament (2012, ’13, ’14), Outstanding Offensive Player (2012, ’13)

• Played club volleyball for Niagara Frontier VBC for coaches Gary Hill, Steven Pierce and Dave Smietana

• Two-sport standout also lettered in track & field; claimed the New York State crown for outdoor triple jump and was nationally ranked in the high jump and triple jump in 2013

• Will also compete for the Stony Brook track and field program (jumps)

• Intends to major in athletic training 

“McKyla is exceptionally athletic and physically gifted. Her strength and versatility to run a quick or second-tempo offense is exciting and position her to contribute in multiple positions. McKyla is easy off the ground and has raw talent that we are really excited to work with and mold over her career as a Seawolf. The level that she plays above the net, coupled with her versatility, make her an exciting addition to our offense.” 

Morgan Kath – 5-10 – S – Milwaukee, Wis./Muskego High School/Milwaukee Sting VBC

• Team captain and three-year letterwinner in volleyball at Muskego High School

• Tallied 3,078 assists during high school career, ranking in the top five in the state with 1,057 assists in 2014 

• Helped Muskego High School qualify for state tournament in all three seasons and post runner-up finishes as a freshman and senior (2011, ’14)

• Led team to conference and sectional championships in 2012

• Volleyball Accolades: All-State second team (2013), All-State honorable mention (2012), All-Area third team (2013), All-Area honorable mention (2012), All-Conference first team (2012, ‘13), Junior Volleyball Association Watch List – Setter (2013), National Volleyball High School Watch List (2013), MaxPreps/AVCA Player of the Week (2014), AVCA Player of the Week (2013), Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel Athlete of the Week (10/30/2014), Wisconsin Sports Network Illustrated Highlight (2014), Mizuno Cup All-Tournament Team (2013), Badger Region High Performance Team, Youth International Team – first-place finish (2012), Badger Region High Performance Team, Silver Division, First-Place Finish 

• Played club volleyball for Milwaukee Sting for head coach Jamie McCourt

• Multi-sport star also lettered in track & field and is a three-time state qualifier in the 4x400 and one-time state qualifier in the 4x200; helped 4x400 relay team to fourth-place finish in state championship meet in 2014

• Mother, Kathi, was a four-year letterwinner in track & field at University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse (1983-87), where she was an All-American in high jump 

• Member of National Honor Society

• Plans to major in Biology

“We are excited about the athleticism, size, leadership and even-keel confidence that Morgan will bring to our group. She has a winning way about her that is incredibly stabilizing for teams. As a setter, she likes to be in control of the offensive situations she creates for her attackers. She embraces the challenge to orchestrate and leads her teams through her work ethic and effort.”  

Taylor Wilson –6-0 – MB/OH – Corydon, Ind./Our Lady of Providence High School/Union Volleyball VBC

• Four-year letterwinner for Our Lady of Providence High School

• Served as team captain in 2014

• Has totaled 1,616 kills, 683 blocks and 449 digs during high school career

• Comes to Stony Brook after leading Our Lady of Providence to back-to-back Indiana State Championship crowns 

• Led squad to 35-4 record and runner-up status in Indiana State Championship in 2012

• Paced team in blocks and kills as a freshman (454 kills, 136 blocks), sophomore (437 kills, 175 blocks) and junior (378 kills, 146 blocks)

• Volleyball Accolades: All-State first team (2011, ’12, ’13), All-Area first team (2011, ’12, ’13), Varsity MVP (2011, ’12), Mental Attitude Award (2013)

• Played club volleyball for Union Volleyball VBC under the direction of Andy Cavins and helped squad to a No. 15 national ranking

• Is a Student Ambassador and member of Students Against Drunk Driving 

• Intends to major in business 

“What initially drew us to Taylor was her fierce, competitive nature on the court and the flat-out will to win! Taylor is a high-energy, fist-pumping, point-scoring teammate who has a knack for making those around her better and challenging her teammates to rise up to meet her energy and passion. In her position, she is smart and scores the ball by out-working opponents. She takes pride in running pin-to-pin to block and always is an option offensively as she wants to score the ball.”