Gators ink three to their incoming 2023 class
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The nationally-ranked Florida volleyball program welcomes its 2023 signing class on Wednesday, as three high school seniors became Gators.
“Around the country the ‘23 class will be unique because they had to go through the recruiting process, the initial stages during COVID,” said Head Coach Mary Wise. “We feel so fortunate that we are able to sign this collection of elite, talented players that have won, and have been recognized by USA volleyball as well, for their high potential.”
Below are the details of the three signees’ – Madi Gravlee, Kira Hutson and Kennedy Martin – high school and club accolades.
Madi Gravlee | 6-4 | OH | Hometown: Vero Beach, Fla. | High School: Vero Beach | Club: High Tide/Gainesville Juniors
Gravlee’s High School Accolades
* Three-year varsity starter
* Two-year captain
* First Team selection
* Led her team to its first Regional Final in 2020
Gravlee’s Club Accolades
* Team Captain 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
* Gasparilla Champion U15 2019
* Florida Regional Champions U16 2020
* Finished 5th at 2022 AAU Nationals
* First Team All-American Honors 2022
* JVA First Team All-American
Gravlee’s USA High Performance Accolades
* 2021 USAV Indoor National Training
* 2022 USVA Indoor National Training
* 2021 USAV Beach National Training
* 2022 USAV Beach National Training
Why Gravlee Chose Florida
* “Growing up with my parents’ history in UF athletics, I have had the opportunity to be around the University of Florida. The incredible program both athletically and academically became a dream. I have continued to strive for excellence in academics and athletics, making Florida a perfect fit. I am so grateful for this opportunity and hope to continue to represent the program well. Go Gators.”
“This is a first for us. How fortunate am I to be at the same school that I am now going to coach one of our former Gator’s daughter? Julie Stanhope played here in the 90s and she was a terrific little blocker for. I’ve known of Madi for a long time – I think I first met her when she was 11 or 12 when she was playing lacrosse, trying all the sports. But you could tell she was going to be a long drink of water. She’s a very accomplished beach player as well as indoor player. Unfortunately, she had a shoulder injury in high school, but fully recovered from that. A six rotation outside hitter. Six foot four. Plays well above the top of the net. Physical hitter, there is no limit to what Madi’s career can look like by the time she’s done.” – Head Coach Mary Wise
Kira Hutson | 6-3 | OH | Hometown: Aurora, Ill. | High School: Metea Valley High School | Club: Team One Volleyball
Hutson’s High School Accolades
* 2021 First Team All-State
* 2021 First Team All-Area
* 2021 DVC All-Conference First Team
* 2021 DVC MVP
* 2021 First Team PrepVolleyball All-American
* 2021 PrepVolleyball Athlete of the Month
* 2021 NCTV Newcomer of the Year
* 2021 State champions
* 2021 season kills record holder (502)
Hutson’s Club Accolades
* 2020 1st Nike Presidents’ Day Challenge 16 primer
* 2021 1st Jva world challenge 18 primer
* 2021, 2022 Two-time All-Tournament Team Nike Presidents’ Day Challenge
* 2022 ranked #11 overall by PrepVolleyball
* 2022 ranked #1 in Illinois
Hutson’s USA High Performance Accolades
* 2022 Gold medal at U19 Pan Am Cup
* 2021-22 NTDP Invitee
Hutson’s Off-the-Court Accolades
* 2021 Illinois Principal Association Outstanding Student & School Citizen
* 2021 academic All-Conference
* Apart of Captains Council, which works with sport within her school and bringing up school spirit while also reaching out to the community by talking to kids at the middle schools that feed in Metea Valley
* Also participated in basketball, soccer and gymnastics
Why Hutson Chose Florida
* “I chose Florida because of the amazing coaching staff and the winning culture they have built. Along with having a winning program it has rigorous academics that will set me up for success in the future.”
“Kira’s situation was unique, as was all the players in this class because they were going through the recruiting process during COVID. We weren’t able to bring Kira on campus and that is one of the many reasons why we feel so fortunate that she chose Florida. We got eyes on her early on. And then, of course we couldn’t go off campus for the longest time. Kira is a special talent. This is a six rotation outside hitter who has such a great feel for the ball control. She’s a big jumper who has got a really high-top end and we feel so fortunate that she chose the Gators.” – Head Coach Mary Wise
Kennedy Martin | 6-6 | Pin Hitter | Hometown: Fort Mill, S.C. | High School: Nation Ford High School | Club: FC Elite
Martin’s High School Accolades
* 2022 AVCA High School All-America First Team
* 2022 Wando Invitational MVP
* 2021 All State/All Conference
* 2021 D1 Wisconsin Appleton North HS
* 2021 Post Crescent All-Area First Team
* 2021 Wisconsin Female Athlete of the Year Nominee
* 2020 All State/All Conference D1 WI, De Pere High School.
Martin’s Club Accolades
* 2022 Ultra Ankle JVA All-National Team
* 2020 Ultra Ankle JVA All-National Team
* 2020 AVCA Phenom List
* 2020 Prep Volleyball #24,
* 2020 Frosh 59 list
* 2021 Ten Foot Club – touching 10’9
* 2021 USAV 5th place Nationals
* 2022 USAV 3rd place Nationals
* 2022 Prep Dig #18 National Rating
* 2022 Under Armour MVP Award
Martin’s USA High Performance Accolades
* 2022 U19 NTDP Team
* 2021 U18 USAV NTDP
Martin’s Off-the-Court Accolades
* Father, Ruvell, played in the NFL for eight seasons and also coached for the Green Bay Packers from 2020-2022
* Attached a different school during each year in high school due
* Volunteers with youth volleyball camps in her local area
Why Martin Chose Florida
* “I visited four schools prior to my official visit at Florida. After 24 hours on campus it felt like home. The coaches, staff and team were organized and personable. I loved it and knew it was my perfect place to continue my volleyball career.”
“Kennedy first came to one of our clinic’s years ago. We could tell when we met her father, seeing the DNA, that she was going to be an athletic type and then watched her throughout her career. She’s six foot six. She has a great reach where she hits the ball at a really high contact point. It’ll be tough to defend. She’s a right-handed player who we project to play in the opposite position. She’s going to make opponents life’s tough in terms of how high she gets the ball and what her blocking will do to disrupt the other teams’ offense.” – Head Coach Mary Wise
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