Women’s Volleyball Adds Two Signees
11/10/2021 9:30:39 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s volleyball program officially welcomed two additions on national signing day on Wednesday. Both Zaria Ragler and Chelsea Thorpe will be eligible to play in the fall of 2022.
“I expect our 2022 class to have an immediate impact on our program, both on and off the court,” said Ohio State Head Coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg. “They will work hard and challenge our returning players, which only makes us better as a unit. As young women, they fit who we are and what we are about at Ohio State. I am so happy that they are Buckeyes!”
Zaria Ragler, Middle Blocker, Gambrills, Md., Undecided
Middle blocker Zaria Ragler comes to Columbus from Gambrills, Md., where she played for Arundel High School and Metro VBC. Ragler helped Arundel to a state championship in 2019 and was named All-County Second Team and Capital Gazette First Team for her play. In 2021, she led her high school to a county championship and was named All-County First Team. Ragler is a member of the Athletic Leadership Council.
“We are extremely excited to have Zaria become a Buckeye,” said Oldenburg. “She brings determination and drive to our program by having a strong work ethic and desire to be better. As a middle, she will add speed and the ability to play at a high level above the net.”
Chelsea Thorpe, Outside Hitter, Chicago, Ill., Business
Outside hitter Chelsea Thorpe joins the Buckeyes from Chicago, where she played at Whitney Young High School and a member of the clubs Chicago Elite and First Alliance. The four-year starter at Whitney Young helped the team to three city championships and served as a two-year captain as she was named to three all-tournament teams. Prep Volleyball named Thorpe to the Frosh 59 list in 2018-29 and then the top 150 list in 2019-20 and 2020-21. In 2021, Thorpe was on the USA National Team Development Program’s U19 Summer Training Team and is an Under Armor All-American Selection Camp nominee. Thorpe is a four-year honors student and played bass guitar in a blues combo group as a sophomore. She also works with a program called Young Doctors, which works with doctors to teach the youth on the west side of Chicago about health.
“I am thrilled to welcome Chelsea to the Buckeye family,” said Oldenburg. “She is relentless in her pursuit to get better and will provide a presence at the net both offensively and defensively when she arrives on campus. I am excited to see her growth in our program.”
Be sure to come cheer on Ohio State women’s volleyball inside the Covelli Center this season. Season tickets and single match tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.com.
The NCAA Final Four will be held in Columbus at Nationwide Arena on Dec. 16 and 18. Visit HERE for more information.
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