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University of Houston Athletics
Volleyball Adds Four on National Signing Day
11/13/2024 9:14:00 AM | Volleyball
Cougars add to their roster with a load of incoming freshmen talent
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Volleyball team signed four to its 2025 class as the signing period opened Wednesday.
"We are so proud to announce this special class," Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach Taylor McColskey said. "This is an incredible group of young women that will lead Cougar Volleyball to new heights. The class as a whole is one that we are immensely proud of. It's a group that should make an immediate impact on the court and in our team culture. Individually they are each unique in their physical gifts and volleyball skill. We are thrilled to have each of them join our family!"Â
Houston added a setter, a libero and a pair of outside hitters to its 2025 roster. Three of the four hail from outside the state of Texas with one arriving from Dallas-Fort Worth area.Â
TARA GREENBERRY | OUTSIDE HITTER | FLORISSANT, MISSOURI
Greenberry joins the Cougars after playing high school volleyball for Incarnate Word Academy under Coach Shane Weber and club volleyball for High Performance St. Louis under Coach Kevin Dunn.
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"Tara is one of the most physical athletes in this class," McColskey said. "We were so impressed with not only her arm but her commanding presence on the floor. She can score from anywhere on the court and will be an offensive force for us for many years. Tara was also the first one in this class to commit, believing in our vision for the future. She will certainly make an immediate impact on and off the court for us. Tara will be joining the team in January."
The Florissant, Mo., native tallied 1,391 kills while at Incarnate Word, posting a .519 kill percentage with a .406 hitting efficiency. In her sophomore season, she tallied 550 kills, breaking Incarnate Word's single-season record. Greenberry also added 253 blocks, including 108 solo stuffs, while producing 33 aces and 132 digs.
Greenberry was ranked at #46 among the class of 2025 by Prep Volleyball and as the top recruit out of Missouri by Prep Dig. VBRecruiter.com also named her a three-star recruit in the 2025 signing class.
Throughout her career, Greenberry collected multiple honors including being named a two-time Missouri Volleyball Coaches Association All-State selection (2022, 2023), two-time St. Louis Dispatch All-Metro Team honoree (2022, 2023) and a three-time First-Team All-District player (2021-2023). She was also chosen as a 2024 JVA All-National Team honoree.
Greenberry helped lead Incarnate Word to a MSHSAA Class 4 State Championship in 2023 and was the state runner-up in 2022.Â
GILLIAN PITTS | LIBERO | LITTLE ELM, TEXAS
A Texas native and VBRecruiter.com five-star recruit, Pitts arrives on Cullen Boulevard following a volleyball career with Prestonwood Christian Academy under Coach Ryan Mitchell and with the TAV 18 Black club team under Coach Carlos Ramos.
"I truly believe Gillian is the best libero in the 2025 class," McColskey said. "She played up a year on the best club team in the country & did so at an unbelievably high level. She is a special player that makes the people around her better. We are so excited for Gillian to join us in January."
During her four seasons at Prestonwood Christian, Pitts posted 1,993 digs, averaging 4.6 per set and 16.3 per match. She also added 251 assists and 97 aces. She is currently still playing as she and the Lions play in the TAPPS 6A State Semifinals on Nov. 15 prior to a potential championship match on Nov. 16.
Pitts was a two-time TAPPS District Defensive Player of the Year. She aided Prestonwood to a TAPPS 6A State Championship in both 2022 and 2023 with a runner-up title in 2021. She was also a 2024 PrepVolleyball Second Team Club All-American while winning the USA Volleyball 18s Junior National Championship with TAV Black in April.Â
TENESYN FRYE | SETTER | MERIDIAN, IDAHO
Frye arrives in Houston following a prep career with Mountain View High School under Coach Ryan Hoffman and a club career with Idaho Crush under Coach Caroline Bower.
"Tenesyn is a super physical setter that played at a really high level in club," McColskey said. "She runs a great offense and will improve the level of our gym the second she steps on campus. We are excited about what she can add to our offense with her size, physicality and volleyball IQ. We can't wait to get her on campus in January!"
In 337 sets of high school volleyball, Fyre tallied 1,386 assists and 611 kills, averaging 4.1 and 1.8 per set, respectively, while splitting time between setter and outside hitter. She also added 112 blocks, 586 digs and 117 service aces during her four years at Mountain View.
Frye was selected for the 2024 AVCA All-America Watch List and was a 5A First-Team All-State selection in her junior year. She was also a two-time Prep Volleyball Club All-American and was ranked as a four-star recruit by VBallRecruiter.com.Â
Coming from an athletic family, Frye's father, Rawley, played baseball and basketball for the University of Jamestown from 1988-1992.Â
AUBREY SEARS | OUTSIDE HITTER | RUSSELLVILLE, KY.
Sears arrives in Houston following a prep career with Logan County High School and a club career with SKEVA, both under Coach Caleb Sheffield.
"Aubrey has a special arm," McColskey said. "We loved watching take huge rips no matter the situation. In recruiting this position, we knew we needed an arm that can score points at will, and we think we found that in Aubrey. We are excited to see Aubrey develop into a strong 6-rotation outside for us and make a huge impact on this program."
Sears tallied 2,027 kills while with Logan County, averaging 4.4 per set with a .462 kill percentage. She also amassed 151 aces, 135 blocks and 581 digs during her high school career.
Sears helped lead Logan County to the KSHAA State Quarterfinals in her junior year as well as the KSHAA Region 4 Semifinals in 2022. She was recognized as the 2024 4th Region Athletic Directors Association Volleyball Athlete of the Year.Â
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