Virginia Tech volleyball signs four to NLIs

Signees hail from Georgia, Indiana, Nevada and Oklahoma

November 8, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head volleyball coach Jill Wilson has announced that four prospective student-athletes have signed their National Letters of Intent in the fall signing period to join the Hokies for the 2018-19 academic year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Talyn, Sarah Jane, Angel and Peyton to our family,” Wilson said. “They each bring different strengths as players and a commitment to building our program in the ACC. This class has great leadership potential and will have an immediate effect specifically on the offensive side of the ball.”

Talyn Jackson (Highlight Video)
5’11” – S/RS
Gardnerville, Nev.
Douglas HS
Silver State Volleyball Club

High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner … Coached by Suzi Townsell at Douglas … Named to the Class of 2018 Senior Aces Top 150 … Tabbed Soph79 by PrepVolleyball.com … Recognized Frosh59 by PrepVolleyball.com … USA Volleyball High Performance Indoor Girls’ Select National A1 Team member … NIAA All-State selection … NIACC All-State 4A Academic Team … 2017 All-League Player of the Year … Ranked first in NIAA in hitting percentage in 2017 … Led Douglas in assists and service aces every year … Three-time All-League honoree … Racked up four triple-doubles and 20 double-doubles in prep career … MaxPreps/AVCA High School National Player of the Week for the state of Nevada … Led Douglas to a Regional Championship in 2014 … Team captain in 2017.

Personal: Talyn Ashlee Jackson … Born Feb. 9, 2000 … Daughter of Mark and Kathy … Sister of Tre … Planning on majoring in business … Will enroll on Blacksburg’s campus for the spring semester.

“Talyn combines athleticism with a fast pace offense,” Wilson said. “We will have a huge advantage to have her enrolled in the spring semester to get working on her setting offense and benefit from our strength training program. Talyn is a driven player that isn’t afraid to dream big for the future of our program and being in setter role, that leadership will be vital.”

Sarah Jane Lynch (Highlight Video)
6’2” – S
Roswell, Ga.
Mount Pisgah Christian HS
A5 Volleyball Club

High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner … Coached by Leah Longoria at Mount Pisgah Christian … Named to the Class of 2018 Senior Aces Top 150 … First team GHSA All-State in 2016 … Honorable mention GHSA All-State in 2014 … Two-time All-Area selection … Team MVP in 2016 and 2014 … Guided A5 to the 2016 USA Volleyball National Championship crown in 16-U Open Division, while being named to the all-tournament team … Tabbed AAU All-American in 2016 after leading A5 to the AAU National Championship in 2016 … Broke two program records in kills (310) and hitting percentage (.310) as a freshman … Named to PrepVolleyball.com Frosh59 list … Three-year member of the National Honor Society … Georgia Certificate of Merit Scholar … President of Mount Pisgah Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society … Mount Pisgah Honors Scholarship Program Recipient.

Personal: Sarah Jane Lynch … Born April 21, 2000 … Daughter of John and Valerie … Sister of Michael … Planning on majoring in general engineering.

“Sarah Jane comes from a top level club where she has learned how to compete and win at the highest level,” Wilson said. “She maintains such poise throughout matches which will spread to her teammates. Her fast release of the ball and composure have given her an incredibly natural perspective on the game.”

Angel Robinson (Highlight Video)
6’0” – MH/RS
Norman, Okla.
Norman North HS
Oklahoma Peak Volleyball Club

High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner … Coached by Stephanie Kane at North Norman … Guided North Norman to the OSSAA 6A State Championship match two years in a row, finishing runner-up in 2016 and 2017 … Also led the Timberwolves to an unblemished record in conference play and a 31-4 overall record in 2017 … 2017 OSSAA All-State Big West selection … 2017 OSSAA All-State Tournament Team selection … Team captain in 2017 … Earned the most driven athlete award … Tabbed most improved player her ninth grade season.

Personal: Angel Shareese Robinson … Born March 6, 2000 … Daughter of Melvin and Patrice … Sister of Joi … Planning on majoring in sports psychology.

“Angel has incredible potential to be a huge threat at the net,” Wilson said. “With some training and experience, she has the chance to be a difference maker. One of the things that stood out the most about Angel is she not only has the untapped athleticism but she goes out of her way to do the little things and be a great teammate.”

Peyton Yelich (Highlight Video)
6’3” – MB
Crown Point, Ind.
Crown Point HS
Ignite Elite Volleyball Club

High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner … Coached by Allison Duncan at Crown Point … IHSAA All-State selection … Two-time all-conference pick … Two-time All-Area honoree … Led Crown Point to two perfect seasons in conference play, garnering two conference titles and two sectional and regional crowns … Guided Crown Point to the IHSAA State Championship match … Three-time Indiana All-Star Team member … IHSAA North vs. South MVP … Three-time Blocker of the Year … 2016 AVCA Phenom List honoree … Led Ignite Elite to a third-place finish at the 18U Open Divisions in Gold … PrepVolleyball.com’s Preseason High School All-American Watch List … Under Armour All-American Watch List … Team captain in 2017.

Personal: Peyton Yelich … Born Sept. 13, 1999 … Daughter of Al and Mylissa … Sister of Jake and Alyson … Grandfather, Al Yelich, played football at Illinois … Grandfather, Eddie Swiss, was an international hockey and softball player, then became a trainer internationally … Brother, Jake Yelich, currently plays football at Tennessee and is a long snapper … Cousin, Griffin Oakes, plays football at Indiana and owns the most made field goals in program history … Undecided on intended major.

“Peyton is a huge addition as she brings incredible versatility to our program,” Wilson said. “She is a physical and smooth player that I believe can play any position along the front row. Having that versatility will be very valuable and we are excited to increase our creativity with offensive options with Peyton. She is a selfless worker that is committed to doing whatever is best for her team.”

Tech will hit the road this weekend, taking on Notre Dame on Friday at 7 p.m. ET and Louisville on Sunday at 2 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.

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