During the offseason, Coastal Carolina’s women’s volleyball team gained four new transfers after looking to replace offensive production transfers.
The Chanticleers secured Natalie Hughes, Jonna Spohn, Hatteras (Hattie) Welker and Talia Johnson, following the transfer of setter Jalyn Stout and middle blocker Emily Fowler.
Hughes, a right-side hitter transferring from San Diego State University, brings seasoned experience to the Chanticleers offense.
“I’m coming to a program where right off the bat I’m gonna make an impact, I want to win and want just a super competitive atmosphere,” Hughes said. “I’ve played for a bunch of different types of coaches, but this coaching staff just brings out our strengths and the bonds and relationships they’ve already formed with us [transfers] only being here for three weeks.”
During her three seasons at San Diego State, she gathered 282 kills and 137 total blocks. During her high school career, she recorded over 1100 kills and set a school record with 353 blocks.
Jonna Spohn, a defensive specialist transferring from The University of Maryland, adds depth to Coastal’s back row. Spohn collected 347 digs during her time in the Big Ten Conference and completed her high school career with 1,300 digs.
“I always want to raise the standard no matter where I’m at in my play, but I also want to leave behind the being too hard on myself and be able to really acknowledge when I do good things,” Spohn said. “I feel like that’s a reason I’m at Coastal, because I feel that the coaches will create a space where I can do that.”
Spohn faced Coastal twice during her time at Maryland, including the 2023 Maryland Tournament and a regular season game last season.
Hattie Welker, a middle blocker transferring from Eastern Michigan University, has spent two seasons strengthening her ability to block and adapt to high pressure situations. From those two seasons, Welker totaled 237 blocks, even setting a school record for most blocks held by a freshman with 99 blocks.
“I think everyone was a little unsure with the other two girls leaving and stuff, but I think coming in, we have a lot of talent,” Welker said. “Even in the past three weeks, playing together and stuff, a lot of it just feels right and I think that we’re gonna have a good team.”
