DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake volleyball and head coach Darrin McBroom announced the signings of a trio of student-athletes as part of National Signing Day.
 
The Bulldogs have signed Izzy Earley, Katie Quick, and Caroline Smith to National Letters of Intent.
 
IZZY EARLEY | MIDDLE HITTER | NOVI, MICH. l NOVI HS
Hailing from Michigan, Earley comes to Des Moines having an impressive senior season at Novi High School. So far on the season she has helped led her team to an overall record of 24-11 and is hitting at a clip of .369.
 
"Izzy is an athlete that exudes passion and energy," McBroom said. "Her love for the game and for competition is self-evident and are core values for our program. Additionally, I am very impressed with Izzy's belief in herself and drive for improvement.  She is not one to be overlooked or underestimated.  She is a versatile athlete who can play on the right side or the middle and probably anywhere we needed her. However, middle is where she excels and where we expect to see her compete in our gym. Unquestionably, she will make our gym better and the people around her better.  She is full of enthusiasm for our program and for Drake. We look forward to having her in the Bulldog family."
 
KATIE QUICK l SETTER l ANKENY, IOWA l ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
A local product from Ankeny, Quick has been a team captain for Ankeny Christian for the past two seasons and has been a First Team All-Conference selection her entire high school career. She helped lead Ankeny Christian to three straight state championships her sophomore through senior seasons and was also named the Class 1A Player of the Year as a junior. Quick is career record holder at Ankeny Christian for both assists and aces totaling 3,266 assists and 483 aces in her career.
 
"I am very excited to have Katie joining our program, McBroom said. "It is always nice when we can bring a local athlete into the Bulldog family and she has actually been involved with our program for many years coming to camps when she was a youngster. We've had the opportunity to see what she can do on the court over the past few years, and she was outstanding at our setter's camp a couple of summers ago. She brings great energy, athleticism and attitude to the court.  Additionally, she has won numerous state championships with her high school team. She knows how to win, and she expects to win.  Finally, she is a young woman of strong character, and these are all values upon which we want to continue to build the Bulldog program. I believe Katie will impact our program and the people in it in very positive ways."
 
CAROLINE SMITH l OUTSIDE HITTER l NEW LENNOX, ILL. l LINCOLN WAY WEST HS
Smith has played a pivotal role in leading her team to back-to-back regional championships in the state of Illinois. Offensively, she has led her conference in kills for two consecutive seasons totaling 634 kills over that span. As a senior, Smith was a First Team All-State selection and was also named to the 2024 AVCA National Watch List.
 
"Caroline had a very unique recruitment experience with Drake." McBroom said. "There are so many ways in which it may not have worked out, but I am so thankful it has worked and that we can now claim Caroline as a Drake Bulldog. Caroline possesses a high degree of athleticism. She has played a key role in her high school program and plays for one of the best club team/programs in the county. The level of training and competitiveness that she has experienced has certainly prepared her to step in and compete in our gym from day one. Additionally, she has demonstrated a willingness to serve her teams in whatever capacity is most needed. Although she is primarily a pin hitter, she played middle for her club team in the 2023 season, and she looked as comfortable there as she is on the outside. She is a great example of grace and power combined. She will be great for our program and we look forward to getting her in the gym."