Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders ink three on Signing Day
November 08, 2022 | Women's Volleyball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head volleyball coach Tony Graystone has announced the addition of three signees to the 2023 class as Abby Dickinson, Kate Hansen and Courtney O'Brien have signed their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Abby Dickinson | DS/L | 5-8 | Orlando, Fla. | Olympia High School
Abby Dickinson is one of two defensive specialists signing with the Red Raiders for the 2023 season. An Orlando, Florida native, Dickinson is a four-year letterwinner for the Olympia High School Titans.
During her senior stint, she led her team to a 2022 District Championship and 21 wins on the season. So far this year, DIckinson has accumulated 370 digs and 177 kills in just 86 sets played. As a junior, Dickinson also posted 366 digs and 323 kills and also totals 115 aces in her career.
The future Red Raider eclipsed over 1,000 digs as she totals 1,235 over her high school career. Dickinson is a two-time All-Metro and All-Academic selection (2020-21), while being honored with the Titan Award in 2021 and the Defensive Award in 2020.
"Abby is a fearless defender with great touch and instincts," Graystone said. "I fully expect her to make an impact right away and improve our first touch."
Kate Hansen | MB/RS | 6-3 | Weatherford, Texas | Weatherford High School
Kate Hansen is a middle blocker and right side from Weatherford, Texas and a four-year letterwinner for the Weatherford High School Kangaroos.
During her freshman season, Hansen helped her team to a 34-6 record and a regional semifinals appearance. She was named District MVP, to the TGCA All-State Team and to the FROSH 59, an award given to the best varsity-playing freshmen in America. Additionally, Hansen broke the single-season school record with 148 total blocks.
In her sophomore stint, Hansen and the Roos went undefeated in district for the first time in school history, while advancing to the regional quarterfinals. She was selected to the TGCA All-State 6A Team, named to the TSWA 6A All-State Second Team and honored with the District 3-6A Offensive Player of the Year award.
Following a successful sophomore season, Hansen had another impressive year after breaking the single-season school record in blocks for the second time after totaling 149. She was also named to the TGCA All-State 6A Team, was a First-Team All-State selection by PrepDig, was named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List and won the District 3-6A Blocker of the Year award.
In her senior season, the future Red Raider helped her team to a Co-District Championship. Hansen also broke the single-game school record with 27 kills in a match, while eclipsing over 1,000 kills in her career. Hansen also plays club ball with TAV 17 Black. She helped the TAV 16 Black team to a Girls Junior Open National Championship (GJNC) and aided the TAV 14 Black team to a GJNC Open runner-up finish.
"Kate is one of the highest-rated prospects we've signed at Tech and we're very excited about her future as a Red Raider," Graystone said. "Kate has great size and length, is a next-level blocker and is a terminal attacker."
Courtney O'Brien | DS/L | 5-11 | Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch High School
Courtney O'Brien is a defensive specialist from Katy, Texas who is joining the Texas Tech volleyball program as a freshman next fall.
A letterwinner at Cinco Ranch High School, O'Brien is a First-Team All-District selection and aided her team to a second-place finish in district her senior season, while also helping the team reach their fourth-consecutive Regional Quarterfinals.
O'Brien has had an impressive senior campaign, totaling 495 kills on a .323 hitting clip, 17 blocks and 416 digs on the season. Over her high school career, she's collected 1,206 kills, 75.0 blocks, 1,044 digs and 172 aces. Just this year alone, O'Brien posted 105 aces in 109 sets played.
O'Brien plays for the Houston Skyline volleyball club where she was named the 16 Royal and 17 Royal MVP, while also helping the club team to a GJNC Open National Championship in 2019. Courtney joins her sister, Maddie, on the Red Raider volleyball team.
"Courtney has played at a very high level for a long time and worked with some great coaches," Graystone added. "She's a fighter, super competitive, and I know she's going to be a great fit and someone we can build around."
Abby Dickinson | DS/L | 5-8 | Orlando, Fla. | Olympia High School
Abby Dickinson is one of two defensive specialists signing with the Red Raiders for the 2023 season. An Orlando, Florida native, Dickinson is a four-year letterwinner for the Olympia High School Titans.
During her senior stint, she led her team to a 2022 District Championship and 21 wins on the season. So far this year, DIckinson has accumulated 370 digs and 177 kills in just 86 sets played. As a junior, Dickinson also posted 366 digs and 323 kills and also totals 115 aces in her career.
The future Red Raider eclipsed over 1,000 digs as she totals 1,235 over her high school career. Dickinson is a two-time All-Metro and All-Academic selection (2020-21), while being honored with the Titan Award in 2021 and the Defensive Award in 2020.
"Abby is a fearless defender with great touch and instincts," Graystone said. "I fully expect her to make an impact right away and improve our first touch."
Kate Hansen | MB/RS | 6-3 | Weatherford, Texas | Weatherford High School
Kate Hansen is a middle blocker and right side from Weatherford, Texas and a four-year letterwinner for the Weatherford High School Kangaroos.
During her freshman season, Hansen helped her team to a 34-6 record and a regional semifinals appearance. She was named District MVP, to the TGCA All-State Team and to the FROSH 59, an award given to the best varsity-playing freshmen in America. Additionally, Hansen broke the single-season school record with 148 total blocks.
In her sophomore stint, Hansen and the Roos went undefeated in district for the first time in school history, while advancing to the regional quarterfinals. She was selected to the TGCA All-State 6A Team, named to the TSWA 6A All-State Second Team and honored with the District 3-6A Offensive Player of the Year award.
Following a successful sophomore season, Hansen had another impressive year after breaking the single-season school record in blocks for the second time after totaling 149. She was also named to the TGCA All-State 6A Team, was a First-Team All-State selection by PrepDig, was named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List and won the District 3-6A Blocker of the Year award.
In her senior season, the future Red Raider helped her team to a Co-District Championship. Hansen also broke the single-game school record with 27 kills in a match, while eclipsing over 1,000 kills in her career. Hansen also plays club ball with TAV 17 Black. She helped the TAV 16 Black team to a Girls Junior Open National Championship (GJNC) and aided the TAV 14 Black team to a GJNC Open runner-up finish.
"Kate is one of the highest-rated prospects we've signed at Tech and we're very excited about her future as a Red Raider," Graystone said. "Kate has great size and length, is a next-level blocker and is a terminal attacker."
Courtney O'Brien | DS/L | 5-11 | Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch High School
Courtney O'Brien is a defensive specialist from Katy, Texas who is joining the Texas Tech volleyball program as a freshman next fall.
A letterwinner at Cinco Ranch High School, O'Brien is a First-Team All-District selection and aided her team to a second-place finish in district her senior season, while also helping the team reach their fourth-consecutive Regional Quarterfinals.
O'Brien has had an impressive senior campaign, totaling 495 kills on a .323 hitting clip, 17 blocks and 416 digs on the season. Over her high school career, she's collected 1,206 kills, 75.0 blocks, 1,044 digs and 172 aces. Just this year alone, O'Brien posted 105 aces in 109 sets played.
O'Brien plays for the Houston Skyline volleyball club where she was named the 16 Royal and 17 Royal MVP, while also helping the club team to a GJNC Open National Championship in 2019. Courtney joins her sister, Maddie, on the Red Raider volleyball team.
"Courtney has played at a very high level for a long time and worked with some great coaches," Graystone added. "She's a fighter, super competitive, and I know she's going to be a great fit and someone we can build around."
Volleyball v No. 20 TCU: Highlights
Saturday, November 22
Volleyball v West Virginia: Highlights
Wednesday, November 12
Tony Graystone Postgame Interview
Wednesday, October 29
Volleyball v Arizona: Highlights
Wednesday, October 29