JW
Jess Winstel
  • Milford, OH

Milford High School Graduate Jessica Winstel to Play Volleyball at Capital University

2014 May 16

Jessica Winstel, a Milford, OH, native and graduate of Milford High School, will join the Capital University volleyball program as a student-athlete this fall.

Capital is set to welcome 13 first-year student-athletes, including one transfer, to campus as members of the Crusaders, head coach Pam Briggs announced.

Briggs, who enters her 22nd season at the helm of the program, looks to continue the program's tradition of excellence with this year's recruiting class. Capital finished 15-15 a season ago and qualified for the program's 19th consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament, the second-longest active streak in the conference. Under Briggs' tutelage, the Crusaders have won two OAC regular season championships and an OAC Tournament title, and have reached the NCAA Division III Tournament twice.

See below for information on each member of the 2014 Capital volleyball first-year class. All 13 student-athletes have deposited and are committed to attend the institution.

Graysan Braun

Height: 6-0

Position: Right Side Hitter/Setter

Hometown/High School: Springfield, Ohio/Northwestern

Club Team: Champaign County Sharks

Braun earned honorable mention All-Central Buckeye Conference accolades in volleyball and was a two-time first team All-CBC selection as a cheerleader at Northwestern High School. She also garnered sportsmanship awards from the league in volleyball, cheerleading and softball. Braun was a member of National Honor Society and student council at Northwestern and was an honor roll student for her entire career.

Veronica Easler

5-7

Setter

North Fairfield, Ohio/St. Paul

NorthShore Volleyball Club

Easler was a two-time first-team All-Firelands Conference pick and a district all-star in volleyball at St. Paul High School. She ranked No. 1 in the state and seventh nationally in assists per set as a senior, and finished her career second on St. Paul's all-time career list in three statistical categories. Easler lettered three times in volleyball, twice in cheerleading and once in track and field during her career.

Kenna Gabor

5-9

Outside Hitter

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit

Academy Volleyball Cleveland

Becca Kapavik

6-0

Middle Hitter

Johnstown, Ohio/Newark Catholic

New Wave Volleyball Club

Kapavik was a two-time All-Licking County League selection, including first team during her senior season, and led Newark Catholic High School to the state semifinals during her final season. She also participated in track and field and basketball at Newark Catholic, winning the district championship in 2012 as a member of the girls' basketball team. Kapavik was also Academic All-Ohio for three years and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Taylor Lydy

5-10

Middle/Outside Hitter

Delaware, Ohio/Buckeye Valley

Club Pioneer

Lydy was an honorable mention All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference and All-Central District Division II selection as a volleyball player at Buckeye Valley High School. She also participated in soccer and basketball at Buckeye Valley.

Caitlin McDivitt

5-6

Defensive Specialist

Cortland, Ohio/Lakeview

Infinity Volleyball Club

McDivitt was a two-time Division II All-Ohio honoree and Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year at Lakeview High School. She also garnered first- and second-team all-district, first team all-conference and first team all-county accolades during her standout volleyball career. McDivitt lettered three years in volleyball and four years in softball at Lakeview.

McKenzie Mitchell

5-2

Defensive Specialist

Edmonds, Wash./King's

Kenyon College

Mitchell most recently played at Kenyon College, where she was a student-athlete in volleyball for two seasons. She appeared in 27 matches last season for the Ladies, posting team highs of 417 digs and 31 service aces for the year. Mitchell also appeared in 20 as a freshman and started eight matches, finishing with 177 digs, good for second on the team, and 20 service aces. At King's High School, she was a member of two state championship teams.

Mary Pesicka

6-0

Middle Hitter

Parma, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights

Pesicka participated in volleyball at Cuyahoga Heights High School, a member of the Chagrin Valley Conference.

Robyn Runkel

5-2

Defensive Speicalist

Steubenville, Ohio/Steubenville Catholic Central

Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball/Club Hollywood Volleyball

Runkel was a two-time All-District V honorable mention selection and a 2012 All-Ohio Valley Athletic Conference pick in volleyball at Steubenville Catholic Central High School. She lettered two years in volleyball at Steubenville.

Barbara Smith

5-8

Outside Hitter

Columbus, Ohio/Marion-Franklin

Janelle Watson

5-9

Outside Hitter

Bellevue, Ohio/Bellevue

Blackswamp Volleyball Club

Watson was an honorable mention All-Northern Ohio League honoree in volleyball at Bellevue High School. She was also a two time all-league selection and all-district pick in basketball at Bellevue. Watson lettered twice in volleyball and three times in basketball during her career.

Jessica Winstel

5-4

Defensive Specialist

Milford, Ohio/Milford

Cincinnati Volleyball Academy/Positively Charged Volleyball

Winstel earned first team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference and third team all-city accolades at Milford High School.

Devon Wirtz

5-9

Outside Hitter

Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville

Zone Volleyball Club

Wirtz was a two-year letterwinner in volleyball at Strongsville High School, a member of the Northeast Ohio Conference.