UTSA announces trio of signeesUTSA announces trio of signees
Jeff Huehn/UTSA Athletics
Volleyball

UTSA announces trio of signees

SAN ANTONIO -- UTSA volleyball has added a trio of signees for the 2021 fall season, it was announced by head coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff. 
 
UTSA added three strong newcomers for the 2021 season, including Jordan Brown (El Paso, Texas), Brooke Hirsch (Katy, Texas) and Audrey Smith (Mission, Texas). The trio join a six-member signing class which includes previously announced signees including Courtney Aulbaugh (Houston, Texas), Mekaila Aupiu (Spring, Texas) and Tiana Davis (Houston, Texas). 
 
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Jordan, Brooke and Audrey to our program," Neugebauer-Groff said. "Combined with Courtney, Mekaila and Tiana we think this is an instant impact group of newcomers who will do great things on the court and in the classroom at UTSA. Each of these young women bring something unique and special to our program and have the ability to step right in and contribute. We are eager to get them in the gym and start working towards accomplishing our team and their individual goals."
 

Jordan Brown, OH/MB, 5-8, El Paso, Texas (El Dorado High School/Ranger College)
Joins the Roadrunners after two seasons at Ranger College … Coached at Ranger by Nicole Smith and Ashley Mahan … member of the Dean's List as a freshman … Was a three-sport letterwinner at El Dorado High School in El Paso playing basketball for three seasons and running track for four … coached at El Dorado by Roel DeAnda … helped lead El Dorado to the Bi-District Championship and District Championship as a senior … played club volleyball at 915 United in El Paso and Dynasty Volleyball in Kansas … Personal: Daughter of Robert and Carla Brown … has two brothers, Deshon (25) and Chance (nine) and a sister Brittany (26) … Born in Columbia, S.C. and considers Fort Knox, Ky., her hometown … interested in pursing a nursing major and a career as an OBGYN. 
 
Groff on Brown … 
"Jordan is a great athlete that has had a great junior college career. We are excited to add her to our roster. She will add depth on the pins and will have an ability to help us immediately."
 

Audrey Smith, S, 5-7, Mission, Texas (Sharyland Pioneer High School/Texas Tech)
Comes to San Antonio after opening her career with three seasons at Texas Tech … as a freshman in 2018, appeared in six matches with eight sets played … totaled five digs and a service ace as a freshman, adding two assists … had a serve to clinch the match at UTRGV … as a sophomore, appeared in 12 matches … set career highs in assists (three) against Lehigh, adding a pair of digs … had an assist in each of her first four matches of the year … notched a dig against West Virginia and Texas … notched two aces, coming vs. Abilene Christian and UIW … earned Academic All-Big 12 First-Team honors … appeared in one match for Texas Tech in 2020 as a junior – the fall conference season – against West Virginia … starred at Sharyland Pioneer High School for coach Laura Cavasos … led team to the area round of the playoffs in all four seasons … dual-sport athlete that lettered in track & field … on the 2017 Under Armor All-America Watch List … earned 2016 TAVC Class 5A All-State first-team honors … named first-team all-area and District 31-5A Setter of the Year in 2016 … served as team captain as a senior … named first-team all-district in 2016 … tabbed District 31-5A Newcomer of the Year in 2014 … played club volleyball at RGV Venom … earned academic all-district honors in 2016. Personal: Full name is Audrey Joyce Smith … born in McAllen, Texas … daughter of Roland and Melissa Smith … has a brother, Michael (32) and sisters Erin Matej (30) and Elise Keller (26) … grandfather played football at Rice … brother played football at Texas Lutheran University and sister Erin rode equestrian at Texas A&M …  
 
Groff on Smith … 
"Audrey brings great experience to our roster. She is a versatile player who saw time at Texas Tech as a setter, defensive specialist and server. She will be valuable on and off the court and will be relied on to be a leader in our program."
 

Brooke Hirsch, L/DS, Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch High School)
Played at Cinco Ranch High School, where she earned all-district honors as a junior and senior … a 2020 candidate for the VYPE Preseason Libero of the Year Award … on the Under Armor All-America Watch List in 2020 … led Cinco Ranch to a district championship in 2019 … nominee for the 2019 AVCA Phenom List … A top-five digs leader in the 2018 Tour of Texas … qualified for the 2017 and 2018 USAV Beach Volleyball nationals … earned three varsity letters at 6A Cinco Ranch … led team to the 2017 19-6A Freshman District Championship with an undefeated season … participated in the 2016 USA Volleyball High Performance … Personal: Daughter of Robert and Tori Hirsch … has two brothers, Blake and Ryan … both brothers played football at Houston, winning an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2015, also helping the Cougs to the Peach Bowl Championship … father played football at Texas Tech … member of PALS and represented Cinco Ranch High School as a member of the Superintendents Student Leadership Circle … interested in pursing a career in business, education or coaching following her career. 
 
Groff on Hirsch …  
"Brooke is a great athlete that adds depth in our back row. She had a great career in the Houston area and can have a tremendous impact on our team."
 
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