University of Memphis Athletics
Nov 12, 2026 | Volleyball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis head volleyball coach Cheri Lindsay Jones welcomes five freshmen to the 2027 roster that includes two middle blockers, two outside hitters and a libero/defensive specialist.
Kaylin Bailey | Freshman | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Cypress, Texas | Waller High School
Bailey arrives in Memphis after a standout career at Waller High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner and set the program's single-season digs record during the 2024 campaign. On the club circuit with Houston Juniors, she helped lead her squad to the 2026 Open Division title at the Show Me National Qualifier and earned a spot on the 2024 USAV All-Tournament Team.
Coach Lindsay Jones''s Thoughts: "Kaylin is a quick, instinctive defender who brings an outstanding ability to read the game. She has phenomenal serve-receive skills and a relentless, scrappy mentality that makes her a difference-maker in the backcourt. She is the type of competitor who makes everyone around her better."
Sara Buoni | Freshman | Right Side/Outside Hitter | Johns Creek, Ga. | Johns Creek High School
Buoni joins the Tigers as a four-year varsity letterwinner at Johns Creek High School, where she helped guide the Gladiators to a region championship in 2025. A 2025 All-State honoree and four-time First Team All-Region selection, Buoni surpassed the 1,000-career kill milestone as a senior and collected team Offensive MVP honors in 2024 and 2025. Competing for M2 Volleyball Club and A5 Volleyball Club, she was also named an AVCA All-America nominee in 2026.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Sara is a crafty and versatile attacker who knows how to find ways to score. She brings a strong offensive presence from the right side and pairs that with an impressive blocking ability. Her ability to create matchup problems will make her a valuable addition to our team."
Kaylie Davis | Freshman | Outside Hitter | Frisco, Texas | Independence High School
Davis comes to the Bluff City following a decorated career at Independence High School, where she served as team captain and was a four-year starter. A three-time First Team All-District selection (2023–25), Davis set an individual single-match record with 37 kills against Heritage in 2026 and helped lead the Knights to a five-set upset of state fourth-ranked Liberty during her junior season.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Kaylie is a true six-rotation outside hitter who brings value to every phase of the game. She is a competitor who can score points, contribute in serve receive, and make plays defensively. Her versatility and all-around skill set will be a tremendous asset to our program."
Keegan Flowers | Freshman | Middle Blocker | Fort Worth, Texas | Southwest Christian School
Flowers heads to Memphis with four varsity letters following a standout career at Southwest Christian School, where she set the school's all-time career kills record. She earned 2023–24 Second Team All-District honors before collecting First Team All-District, First Team All-State and Offensive Player of the Year recognition in 2024–25, followed by All-SPC MVP honors in 2025–26. At the club level with TAV under Jon Nasgowitz, she won the 17 Open National Championship and was previously an AAU All-Star in 2023 with Peak Volleyball Club.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Keegan is a dynamic middle blocker who brings tremendous versatility to our offense. She has the ability to attack from anywhere on the court, making her a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. Her athleticism and offensive range will add another dimension to our team."
Micah Rusher | Freshman | Middle Blocker | Spring, Texas | Oak Ridge High School
Rusher joins Memphis after earning six varsity letters as a two-sport athlete in volleyball and track and field (high jump) at Oak Ridge High School. A two-time Blocker of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Academic All-District selection for the War Eagles, Rusher also starred for TAV Houston, garnering 2025 Defensive Player of the Year honors and winning the 210 Showdown championship in 2026.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Micah is a dominant presence at the net who brings physicality, strength, and an aggressive mentality to the middle position. Her ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively will make her an exciting addition to our program."
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Volleyball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Kaylin Bailey | Freshman | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Cypress, Texas | Waller High School
Bailey arrives in Memphis after a standout career at Waller High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner and set the program's single-season digs record during the 2024 campaign. On the club circuit with Houston Juniors, she helped lead her squad to the 2026 Open Division title at the Show Me National Qualifier and earned a spot on the 2024 USAV All-Tournament Team.
Coach Lindsay Jones''s Thoughts: "Kaylin is a quick, instinctive defender who brings an outstanding ability to read the game. She has phenomenal serve-receive skills and a relentless, scrappy mentality that makes her a difference-maker in the backcourt. She is the type of competitor who makes everyone around her better."
Sara Buoni | Freshman | Right Side/Outside Hitter | Johns Creek, Ga. | Johns Creek High School
Buoni joins the Tigers as a four-year varsity letterwinner at Johns Creek High School, where she helped guide the Gladiators to a region championship in 2025. A 2025 All-State honoree and four-time First Team All-Region selection, Buoni surpassed the 1,000-career kill milestone as a senior and collected team Offensive MVP honors in 2024 and 2025. Competing for M2 Volleyball Club and A5 Volleyball Club, she was also named an AVCA All-America nominee in 2026.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Sara is a crafty and versatile attacker who knows how to find ways to score. She brings a strong offensive presence from the right side and pairs that with an impressive blocking ability. Her ability to create matchup problems will make her a valuable addition to our team."
Kaylie Davis | Freshman | Outside Hitter | Frisco, Texas | Independence High School
Davis comes to the Bluff City following a decorated career at Independence High School, where she served as team captain and was a four-year starter. A three-time First Team All-District selection (2023–25), Davis set an individual single-match record with 37 kills against Heritage in 2026 and helped lead the Knights to a five-set upset of state fourth-ranked Liberty during her junior season.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Kaylie is a true six-rotation outside hitter who brings value to every phase of the game. She is a competitor who can score points, contribute in serve receive, and make plays defensively. Her versatility and all-around skill set will be a tremendous asset to our program."
Keegan Flowers | Freshman | Middle Blocker | Fort Worth, Texas | Southwest Christian School
Flowers heads to Memphis with four varsity letters following a standout career at Southwest Christian School, where she set the school's all-time career kills record. She earned 2023–24 Second Team All-District honors before collecting First Team All-District, First Team All-State and Offensive Player of the Year recognition in 2024–25, followed by All-SPC MVP honors in 2025–26. At the club level with TAV under Jon Nasgowitz, she won the 17 Open National Championship and was previously an AAU All-Star in 2023 with Peak Volleyball Club.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Keegan is a dynamic middle blocker who brings tremendous versatility to our offense. She has the ability to attack from anywhere on the court, making her a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. Her athleticism and offensive range will add another dimension to our team."
Micah Rusher | Freshman | Middle Blocker | Spring, Texas | Oak Ridge High School
Rusher joins Memphis after earning six varsity letters as a two-sport athlete in volleyball and track and field (high jump) at Oak Ridge High School. A two-time Blocker of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Academic All-District selection for the War Eagles, Rusher also starred for TAV Houston, garnering 2025 Defensive Player of the Year honors and winning the 210 Showdown championship in 2026.
Coach Lindsay Jones's Thoughts: "Micah is a dominant presence at the net who brings physicality, strength, and an aggressive mentality to the middle position. Her ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively will make her an exciting addition to our program."
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Volleyball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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