SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State head volleyball coach Steven McRoberts made another addition to the 2020 roster Wednesday, announcing that Natalie Thomas, a 6-foot-1 outside and right side hitter from Yuba City, Calif., by way of Feather River College, will join the Bears for the upcoming season.

Thomas had a solid two-year junior college career in Quincy, Calif., helping the FRC Golden Eagles to a 35-2 record as a sophomore and the school's first ever California Community College Athletic Association championship. She had at least 10 kills in all three state tournament contests, including 13 in the title match, to earn all-tournament honors. For the season, Thomas had 276 total kills (2.40/set) on .298 hitting as an all-Golden Valley Conference selection.

Thomas helped Feather River to a 22-8 record and 10-0 conference mark her freshman season and was a two-year varsity starter at Yuba City (Calif.) High, where she twice earned all-league honors, was the team's offensive MVP as a senior, and received a regional all-star game invitation.

Coach Mac on Thomas:
"I think Natalie will come in and compete right away. She is a great attacker and blocker. Bringing in another pin player with college experience is huge for us. Natalie is a great fit for the culture we want to create at Missouri State."



Previous Spring Signees

Reagan Casey (MB, 6-0, Fr., Buda, Texas, Hays High)
Casey had 216 kills, 111 blocks and 38 aces for Hays High as a senior, earning second-team all-district honors while helping the Rebels to a district runner-up finish. She is also a talented track and field athlete, high jumping 5-foot-6 or higher each of her first three high school seasons on the way to regional or district titles each year.

Coach McRoberts on Casey:
"Reagan is a great athlete, as she is a high jumper for the track team as well. She adds some much-needed depth to our middle blocker position. Reagan gets off the floor quickly and she has a fast arm. As a coaching staff, we are excited to see her growth on the court because we believe she has a high ceiling."


La'Treva Kennedy (MB, 5-11, So., College Station, Texas, Bryan High/Western Nebraska CC)
Kennedy was an all-region selection during her one junior college season, helping the WNCC Cougars to a 28-9 overall record and 14-2 conference mark on the way to a regional semifinal appearance. Individually, Kennedy had 182 kills on .248 hitting, ranked second on the team with 75 total blocks, and piled up 229 total points. Kennedy attended Bryan (Texas) High School, where she was a two-time all-district selection and helped the Vikings to district or area championship matches her final three seasons. She was also a guard on the basketball team for three seasons.

Coach McRoberts on Kennedy:
"We are extremely excited to add Treva to our Bear family! We have tracked her progress from high school through her one year at the junior college level. Treva really elevated her game with the training she received at Western Nebraska and she fills a big need for us in 2020 and beyond."