By: James Garcia, Sports Information Director
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University volleyball team added four incoming freshmen to its roster in preparation for the 2020 season. They join a squad that graduated one senior at the end of last season and returns four All-MEC honorees.
Two of the new signees hail from West Virginia. Alex Darby is a defensive specialist that won a state championship at Spring Valley High School and was named MSAC Player of the Year.
She is joined by Kiersten Eggleton from nearby St. Albans High School. Eggleton was twice selected First Team All-State and was part of teams that advanced to regional and state playoffs for the first time in school history.
The other two new additions to the roster come from Ohio. Peri Martin was a setter and team captain for a Gallia Academy High School squad that won three consecutive conference and sectional championships. She currently holds the school record for assists.
Natalie Beer is the other Ohioan to join the Yellow Jackets in 2020. She was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection at Lexington High School where she was a part of two conference championships and a district championship.
Meet the New Yellow Jackets
Natalie Beer
"Nat has grown 2-3 inches this year and presents a great block with her height. She is a highly intelligent student-athlete both on and off the court."-Head Coach Kris Kern
Year: Freshman
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 6-1
Previous School: Lexington High School
Hometown: Lexington, Ohio
High School: First Team All-District 6, First Team All-OCC (Senior) ... First Team All-OCC, Third Team All-District 6 (Junior) ... Second Team All-OCC, Third Team All-District 6 (Sophomore) ... three-year varsity letter winner ... 2x OCC Champions (Freshman & Junior) ... District Champion, Regional Runner-Ups (Sophomore)
Personal: Daughter of Fred and Tiffany Beer ... Sibling(s): Fred V and Logan ... Major: Nursing ... Favorite TV Show: Dance Moms ... Favorite Food: Mac n Cheese ... Favorite Movie: A Quiet Place ... Favorite Music: 90's Alternative ... Favorite Pro Athlete: Kerri Walsh Jennings ... Favorite Pro Team: Columbus Crew ... Favorite Celebrity: Channing Tatum ... Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, working out, and spending time with family ... Biggest Influence: My parents ... Best Advice: Treat others how you want to be treated ... One Word to Describe Me: Loyal ... Dream Job: Nursing Practitioner
Alex Darby
"Alex was a key contributor to Spring Valley's state championship! She is a six rotation player with amazing instincts and adds tremendous skill to our roster."-Head Coach Kris Kern
Year: Freshman
Position: Defensive Specialist
Height: 5-9
Previous School: Spring Valley High School
Hometown: Huntington, W.Va.
High School: MSAC Player of the Year, AAA All-State Captain ... 4x First Team All-MSAC, 3x First Team All-State, 1x Second Team All-State ... Spring Valley Team Captain (2019) ... W.Va. State Champions (2018)
Personal: Daughter of Leah Workman ... Sibling(s): McKenzie Darby ... Major: Undecided ... Favorite TV Show: Prison Break ... Favorite Food: Wendy's ... Favorite Movie: Ralph Breaks the Internet ... Favorite Music Artist: Chris Brown ... Favorite Pro Athlete: Patrick Mahomes ... Favorite Pro Team: New York Liberty (WNBA) ... Favorite Celebrity: Robin Williams ... Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, listening to music, going on car trips ... Biggest Influence: My mom ... One Word to Describe Me: Ambitious
Kiersten Eggleton
"Kiersten is an extremely athletic setter. She starred in three sports at St. Albans and is very capable of playing a variety of positions at State."-Head Coach Kris Kern
Year: Freshman
Position: Setter
Height: 5-10
Previous School: St. Albans High School
Hometown: St. Albans, W.Va.
High School: Senior - First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State, All-Tournament Team (State Championship), Team Captain, advanced to State semi-finals ... Junior - First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State, All-Tournament Team (State Championship), Team Captain, Sectional Champions, Regional Champions ... Sophomore - First Team All-Conference, All-State Honorable Mention, Team Captain, appeared in state championship for first time in school history ... Freshman - First Team All-Conference, appeared in regional championship for first time in school history ... holds school record for kills
Personal: Daughter of Rex and Robin Eggleton ... Sibling(s): Bryce Eggleton ... Major: Pre-Professional Sports Studies ... Favorite TV Show: The Office ... Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese ... Favorite Movie: Captain America: Civil War ... Favorite Music Artist: Luke Combs ... Favorite Pro Athlete: Tim Tebow ... Favorite Pro Athlete: Tim Tebow ... Favorite Pro Team: Pittsburgh Steelers ... Favorite Celebrity: Will Ferrell ... Hobbies/Interests: Playing basketball, working out, and watching baseball ... Biggest Influence: My parents and my Christian faith ... Quote That Inspires Me: Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ... One Sentence to Describe Me: I am very intense, competitive, hardworking, and ambitious ... Dream Job: Physical Therapist
Peri Martin
"I'm excited to welcome the second member of the Martin family to our program! Peri was one of the top setters in Ohio and is an outstanding athlete."-Head Coach Kris Kern
Year: Freshman
Position: Setter
Height: 5-8
Previous School: Gallia Academy High School
Hometown: Gallipolis, Ohio
High School: Varsity Volleyball: 2016-19; Captain, 2017-19; All-OVC Academic Achievement Award, 2016-19; All-OVC, 1st Team, 2017-19; All-District, 1st Team, 2017-19; District 13 Offensive Player of the Year, 2019; All-Ohio, Honorable Mention, 2018; All-Ohio, 2nd Team, 2019; All-Ohio Senior All-Star Player, 2019; GAHS Volleyball Record Holder for 2,000 Assists; Gallia Academy Fall Female Scholar-Athlete Award; Wendy's Student-Athlete of the Week, 2018-19 ... OVC League Champions: 2016-19; Sectional Champions: 2016-19; District Champions Runner-Up: 2016
Personal: Daughter of Rick and Leanna Martin ... Sibling(s): Jarrett and Grace Martin ... Major: Engineering ... Favorite TV Show: New Girl ... Favorite Food: Steak ... Favorite Movie: Hidden Figures ... Favorite Music Band: Old Dominion ... Favorite Pro Athlete: Sydney McLaughlin ... Favorite Pro Athlete: Sydney McLaughlin ... Favorite Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys ... Favorite Celebrity: Jennifer Aniston ... Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, swimming, and reading ... Biggest Influence: My sister, Grace ... Best Advice Received: If it will not matter in 5 years, do not worry about it for 5 minutes ... One Word to Describe Me: Driven ... Dream Job: NASA Engineer
