MOREHEAD, Ky. – Entering into its first season as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, Morehead State beach volleyball adds Maya Alves as a member of the team's 2020 signing class.

"I am incredibly excited to share with Eagle fans the newest addition to our beach volleyball family," said head coach Jaime Gordon. This woman is an outstanding student-athlete of the highest character."



A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Alves joins Morehead State from a stout Knoxville Catholic volleyball program. As a member of the Irish, she competed in four Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association State Title Games, winning the TSSAA Division I-AA crown as a freshman. Throughout her high school career, Alves was a part of 112 victories as Knoxville Catholic averaged 28 wins per season.

Competing as an outside hitter, Alves recorded 844 career kills, 477 digs, 119 service aces, and 64 total blocks during her storied career. During her career, she twice exceeded 200 kills in a season with her best total coming as a senior, collecting 287 terminations. Alves also twice totaled 150 or more digs in a campaign, scooping up a career-best 177 during her sophomore season.

Her play on the court also garnered her numerous recognitions, including TSSAA Division II East Region All-Tournament Team honors, TSSAA District III-AA All-Tournament Team honors, and TSSAA Region II-AA All-Tournament Team honors. Alves also served as team captain during her senior season, guiding KCHS to a 27-8 record.

At the club level, Alves competes for the K2 Volleyball Club and head coaches Jason and Chris Hames. The Knoxville-based program has seen 100 alumni compete at the next level, as Alves is the fifth K2 alum to compete in collegiate beach volleyball.

"Maya possesses an amazing passion for volleyball. It is in her DNA, and the love that she has for it is infectious. She embraces challenges and will take the beach by storm. Her experience and excellence as a six-rotation outside will translate well to the sand. She has a great head for the game and has always been extremely strategic in her approach to the position. Strong communication skills along with a sincere connection with her teammates will aid this exciting journey into the next chapter of her volleyball career," added Gordon.

Entering its fourth season of competition, Morehead State volleyball transitions into the Ohio Valley Conference after spending two seasons as a Division I Independent and one season in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The program's fifth single-sport signee, Alves is Morehead State's first during the OVC-era of beach volleyball.