Freshman Portal Spotlight

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Ashlyn Blazer — Outside Hitter | Redshirt Freshman | Club: MAVS KC | Transfer from Florida International

Ashlyn Blazer arrives in the transfer portal after her freshman season at FIU with a development background that stands out. A product of MAVS KC, one of the Midwest’s most consistently competitive club programs, Blazer was trained in an environment that emphasizes efficiency, tempo, and point-scoring discipline;traits that translate quickly to the college game.

That foundation carried into her high school career at Mill Valley (Kan.), where she helped lead the program to back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024. Known for her ability to score at a high rate without forcing swings, Blazer finished the 2023 regular season with the highest hitting percentage in the state of Kansas, a reflection of shot selection and system awareness developed at the club level.

Blazer earned state honorable mention recognition, Second Team Sunflower League honors, and was a four-time KVA All-Academic Team selection, underscoring both on-court consistency and off-court reliability. As a portal prospect, she brings a MAVS KC pedigree built on repetition and accountability, paired with proven efficiency against high-level Midwest competition.

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Taylor Cook — Setter  | Club: Dallas Skyline | Transfer from Missouri

Taylor Cook enters the transfer portal after her freshman season at Missouri with an accomplished high school résumé for her position. A product of Dallas Skyline, Cook was developed in a fast-tempo, system-driven club environment that emphasizes decision-making, location, and offensive balance; traits that translate directly to the collegiate level for setters.

At Prestonwood Christian Academy (Texas), Cook compiled 2,500+ career assists while guiding the Lions to a 113–7 overall record and three consecutive TAPPS 6A state championships (2022–24). Her senior season capped that run with TAPPS 6A Setter of the Year, First Team All-State, and AVCA Honorable Mention All-American honors, underscoring her impact as a floor leader and offensive organizer.

Cook’s consistency across multiple seasons—earning all-district and all-state recognition at every stage of her high school career—reflects both durability and growth. As a portal prospect, she brings a Dallas Skyline-trained setter’s skill set built around tempo control, hitter connection, and composure in high-volume match environments.

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Reese Dunkle — Middle Blocker | Club: Circle City | Transfer from Stanford

Reese Dunkle enters the transfer portal after her freshman season at Stanford with a development profile built on consistency, leadership, and high-level defensive production. A product of Circle City, Dunkle was trained in a club system known for physical middles, disciplined blocking schemes, and point-scoring at the net;an environment that shaped her into a reliable presence in the middle.

At Center Grove High School (Ind.), Dunkle was a four-year letterwinner and team captain as both a junior and senior, helping lead the program to four sectional championships, four county titles, and a regional championship in 2024. She capped her senior season with AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Region, and County Player of the Year honors, while also finishing as a finalist for Indiana Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

Dunkle’s impact shows up clearly in the record book, she graduates as Center Grove’s all-time blocks leader with 486, a marker of both timing and defensive awareness. As a portal prospect, she offers a Circle City-developed middle with proven durability, leadership experience, and a track record of controlling the net against top Midwest competition.

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Azaria Sweet — Libero/DS | Club: NKYVC | Transfer from UNC Wilmington

Azaria Sweet enters the transfer portal after her freshman season at UNC Wilmington with a defensive résumé built on volume, consistency, and court awareness. A product of NKYVC, Sweet developed in a club system that emphasizes first contact, reading attackers, and extended rally control—cornerstones of high-level libero play.

At Boone County, Sweet closed her high school career as the program’s all-time leader in digs with 2,044, a five-season mark achieved under head coach Michelle Papas. Her defensive reliability earned her All-District Tournament honors in both 2023 and 2024, along with All–Northern Kentucky Conference recognition.

Sweet was also named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List in consecutive seasons (2022, 2023) and earned NKGVCA Division I Second Team honors, reflecting her reputation as a high-motor defender trusted in pressure situations. As a portal prospect, she brings a NKYVC-trained libero skill set defined by range, discipline, and match-to-match steadiness.

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Surima Akat — Outside Hitter / Opposite | Club: Fenerbahce & M.E Marmara Akademi | Transferring from Texas Tech

Surima Akat brings an international pedigree to the transfer portal after her freshman season at Texas Tech. Developed across multiple competitive programs in Turkey, including Irmak Schools, Fenerbahce, and M.E Marmara Akademi, Akat honed her game in club environments that emphasized versatility, high-level tactical awareness, and competing under pressure.

She represented Turkey at the 16U National Team in 2019 and 2021, while helping her club and school teams consistently finish near the top of their leagues. During the 2021–22 season, she helped Fenerbahce to second place in the Turkey 17U League and third place in the Istanbul 17U League, while Irmak Schools also finished third. The 2023–24 season saw similar success, with Akat helping M.E Marmara Akademi to a fourth-place finish in the Istanbul Women’s Second League, a quarterfinal and semifinal run, fifth in the 19U league, and third with Irmak Schools.

Beyond her on-court success, Akat was recognized as a scholar athlete at Irmak Schools, reflecting a balance of academic and athletic excellence. As a portal prospect, she brings international experience, adaptability across multiple positions, and a proven track record of competing in high-stakes matches.

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Izzy Orton — Setter | Club: Texas Fury Volleyball Club | Transfer from Auburn

Izzy Orton enters the transfer portal after her freshman season at Auburn with a résumé defined by versatility, leadership, and high-level court awareness. A product of Texas Fury Volleyball Club, Orton was trained in a competitive, system-focused environment that emphasizes setter decision-making, tempo control, and connecting hitters in high-pressure situations.

At Hutto High School (Texas), Orton compiled over 2,000 assists, 1,100 kills, 1,300 digs, 200 aces, and 200 blocks, earning recognition as a three-time All-District honoree and four-time team MVP. She appeared on the AVCA Phenom Watch List three times and was recognized as one of Prep Dig’s Texas Top 70 for the class of 2025, while also earning accolades as one of LoneStarPreps.com’s top passers in 2024 and 2025.

Orton’s club success includes a 2022 USAV National Championship and a Texas Fury Impact Scholarship, underscoring her experience in elite tournament play. As a portal prospect, she brings a Texas Fury-trained setter’s skill set, combining floor leadership, technical versatility, and experience competing at the national level.

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Athena Cox — Middle Blocker | Club: Coast Volleyball Club | Transferring from California Baptist

Athena Cox enters the transfer portal after her freshman season at Cal Baptist, where she appeared in five matches before a season-ending injury. Despite limited collegiate experience, Cox’s foundation comes from a strong developmental background in Coast Volleyball Club, a program known for producing disciplined, physically capable middles who thrive in both offensive and defensive roles.

Cox prepped at Academy of Our Lady of Peace, where she was a San Diego Section CIF Champion in 2023 and earned All-Western League and All-CIF honors during her high school career. She was recognized as a CIF San Diego Section All-Star in 2025 and also claimed an Eastern League Championship in beach volleyball, highlighting her versatility across indoor and outdoor play. A four-time scholar-athlete, Cox combines on-court skill with academic dedication.

As a portal prospect, she brings a Coast Volleyball Club-trained middle blocker skill set grounded in timing, court awareness, and adaptability, poised to contribute once fully healthy.