LOGAN, Utah – Utah State volleyball head coach Rob Neilson announced on Friday the signing of Kelsey Watson (Ballwin, Missouri/Loyola Chicago) and Jill Schneggenburger (Irvine, California/Colorado). Both players join the Aggie squad after helping lead their previous teams to NCAA Tournament berths last season.
 
Watson, a 6-1 middle blocker, spent the last three seasons at Loyola Chicago where she appeared in 77 career matches, averaging 1.62 kills and 1.0 blocks per set. Last season, Watson was second on the Rambler squad with 95 blocks, including a team-best 87 block assists. She was third in hitting percentage with a .323 mark (164-49-356). She helped lead Loyola to a 25-9 overall mark in 2022, including 17-1 in Atlantic 10 action, as the team won the A-10 and competed in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
During her career, Watson has had at least five blocks in 26 matches, including a career-best nine blocks twice in 2022, and had double-digit kills in eight, including a career-high 17 kills vs. DePaul on Sept. 17, 2022. She's hit at least .350 with a minimum of five attempts 24 times in her career, including a career-best .700 (8-1-10) at Rhode Island on Oct. 22, 2022.
 
"Signing Kelsey and getting her to campus has been a quick transition and we are thrilled with what she brings to our program," Neilson said. "Kelsey is a bright and ambitious player who is excited to learn and grow and give new perspective to our culture. She's got a big arm, a ton of skill and has a history of great production at an outstanding mid-major program. Aggie fans will love watching Kelsey hammer quick sets in the Estes."
 
Schneggenburger, a 6-0 outside hitter, spent the last four years at Colorado, where she started every match the last two seasons. She appeared in 105 total matches, averaging 1.48 kills, 2.09 digs and 0.5 blocks per set during her career. Last season, Schneggenburger logged 140 kills, averaging 1.23 per set, 258 digs, 69 blocks, 19 service aces and 13 assists. She helped lead Colorado to a 20-11 mark, including 12-8 in the Pac-12, as the Buffs made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
 
During her career, Schneggenburger recorded 10-plus digs in 30 matches, including a career-best 16 against Rice on Dec. 1, 2022, and 10+ kills in 18, including a career-high 12 kills twice. She also logged five-plus blocks six times, including a career-high seven against Denver on Aug. 27, 2022.
 
"I coached Jill during her 18s club year, and she was one of the top outside hitter prospects in her class," Neilson said. "She will come to Logan with a ton of experience playing in the Pac-12 and as one of the best passers in conference. She plays with the power, range and IQ that make her a perfect complement for our system and how we want to play. We love her personality and are excited for the characteristics she adds to our group. We can't wait to get started with Jill on our team."  
 
Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at /USUVolleyball or on Instagram, @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
 
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