Bradley University Athletics

Volleyball Adds Trio To 2021 Fall Roster

Josh Schwam

Volleyball 11/12/2020 9:45:00 AM

PEORIA, Ill. -- Fifth-year Bradley Volleyball Head Coach Carol Price-Torok made a trio of additions to the 2021 Fall roster with 6-0 outside Kaylenn Hunt (Oakland, Ill./Oakland), 5-11 setter Molly Mather (Oak Lawn, Ill./Marist) and 5-7 libero/defensive specialist Karina Simatos (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) each committing to join the Braves next fall.

A two-time all-conference honoree, Hunt was named team MVP last fall and has paced the Titans offensively each of her three seasons. She already owns the school career blocks record heading into her senior campaign and averaged 4.6 kills per set as a junior to lead her squad. In addition, Hunt collected 2.1 blocks per set in 2019. She has helped Oakland to a pair of conference and regional titles, along with a IHSA sectional crown during her freshman year.

"Kaylenn is a very talented multi-sport athlete," said Price-Torok. "Her background in track gives her a very natural fast-twitch jump on the volleyball court. She will bring a lot of versatility to our offense both with her speed and her ability to side out from any position. Her natural athletic ability coupled with her high energy and competitive drive makes her really fun to watch."

Hunt also lettered in both track and basketball, where she was part of a third-place state finishing team on the hardwood in 2019-20. On the track, she qualified for the state championship in the triple jump (twice), long jump and high jump; finishing fifth in the triple jump as a freshman and fifth in the long jump her sophomore season.

Mather was part of a state championship team for the Redhawks as a sophomore in 2018, in addition to helping Marist to a third-place state finish her junior campaign. A two-time team captain, she was named her team MVP last year in addition to earning a spot on the 2020 Under Armour All-America Watch List.

"Molly is a gritty, competitive and smart team player that knows what it takes to win," stated Price-Torok. "Adding her to our setting position will no doubt elevate the play in our gym. She has had success both in high school and club volleyball and those experiences with her leadership will continue to push this program forward."

The tournament MVP of the Midwest Crossroads Finale in 2019, Mather has served as team captain for her club team 1st Alliance each of the last four years and was named to the Ultra Ankle Watch List prior to her junior year. Her older sister Katie is a sophomore at Valley rival Loyola.

An all-conference performer last year, Simatos was named team MVP after helping the Tigers to regional and sectional titles as a junior in 2019. During her freshman season she was part of a team that finished third in the state and capped the year with a 33-4 record. Simatos also lettered in tennis.

"Karina is a born competitor that thrives in big-time matches," added Price-Torok. "She has a natural platform and a knack for passing the ball. Her ability to control the first contact will allow our offense to distribute the ball evenly. She is no stranger to high-level volleyball and will raise the level of competition in the gym immediately."

After earning PrepVolleyball All-Tournament honors, Simatos was named to the PrepVolleyball Dig Watch List and the PrepVolleyball Star Search.

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