Chambana Sun

Illinois volleyball head coach Chris Tamas has announced the addition of two new players to the Fighting Illini volleyball program for the 2024 season. Ashlyn Philpot and Laynie Smith will join the team, bringing their skills and experience to the Orange and Blue.

"This class has a ton of experience winning at a high level, both in club and high school," said Tamas. "They have been invited to our National Team Development Program over the last several years with the nation's top prospects. They are not only great players but great people and will add to the culture and values of Illini volleyball and Illinois athletics. They will have an impact on the program from day one and will be a tremendous addition to the Illini FamILLy."

Ashlyn Philpot hails from Greenville, North Carolina, where she played for DH Conley High School and Triangle Volleyball Club as a middle blocker. Standing at 6-4, Philpot was named the No. 44 prospect by Prep Volleyball for the Class of 2024. Her accolades include winning an NCHSAA 3A state championship in 2020, earning All-State honorable mention honors in 2021, receiving all-conference recognition in 2020 and 2021, being named a U17 club All-American by Prep Volleyball in 2023, and earning a JVA All-National team nod in 2023.

Coach Tamas described Philpot as "an elite level blocker with great reading ability and lateral speed" who is "a non-stop worker both on the competition court and in the practice gym." Philpot expressed her excitement about joining Illinois: "I chose Illinois because the coaching staff is amazing as well as the people and the environment. Also, I've always wanted to play in the Big Ten."

Laynie Smith comes from Durham, North Carolina, where she attended Chapel Hill High School and also played for Triangle Volleyball Club. As an outside hitter/opposite standing at 6-3, Smith was named to Prep Volleyball's top-125 for the Class of 2024. She is an AVCA First Team All-American with four varsity letters under her belt. Smith has been recognized as all-state three times, all-conference four times for both volleyball and basketball, appeared on AVCA watch lists, made it to Prep Volleyball nationals' all-tournament teams twice, and was selected for Under Armour All-American games.

Tamas praised Smith's versatility: "Laynie is perhaps one of the more versatile players I have seen... She has embraced whatever the team has needed her to do to win." Smith shared her enthusiasm: "I chose Illinois because I have always dreamed about playing in the Big Ten, and I loved campus and the great coaching staff."