HAMILTON – Colgate University Head Volleyball Coach
Ryan Baker has announced four additions to the Class of 2027 who will join the two-time defending champion Raiders.
Colgate's highly touted incoming class features strength in multiple areas with the four student-athletes filling three different positions and hailing from four different states. The newcomers join the two-time defending Patriot League champions coming off another historic run to the NCAA tournament with 13 players returning to the squad in 2023.
"We are very excited about these four student-athletes joining our program," said four-time Patriot League Coach of the Year Ryan Baker. "Each of them has been playing high-level junior club volleyball and will certainly elevate our gym. All of them have come from winning programs and understand what goes into winning. We truly feel they will be a very impactful class during their time here."
The four incoming freshmen are listed below in alphabetical order.
Milan Bayless
Outside Hitter | 5-11
La Mesa, Calif. | Cathedral Catholic | Coast Volleyball Club
Before Colgate
Two-year varsity letterwinner as an outside hitter at Cathedral Classic…garnered All-CIF Second Team and All-Western League First Team honors as a senior…helped lead her team to the Western League, San Diego Section CIF Open Division, CIF Regional Southern Section Open Division, and CIF Open Division State championships in 2022…named to the 2022 Durango Fall Classic All-Tournament Team…competed on the club circuit for Coast Volleyball Club of the Southern California Volleyball Association…two-time Scholar-Athlete and member of Quill & Scroll Honors Society and the Black Student Union.
Personal
Born: Milan Marciana Bayless in San Diego, Calif.
Family: Daughter of Theresa and Michael Frazier…has two brothers Jovan Bayless and Quentin.
Milan on choosing Colgate: "When I first visited Colgate, I've never been to a place where I've felt more welcomed. With the amazing program built by the coaches, players, and the top-tier athletics program, I know I'll have a promising future in volleyball and wherever my career path takes me."
Coach Baker on Milan: "Milan is a very fluid athlete who has played for one of the best high school and club programs in the country. She gets off the ground with ease and has a strong volleyball IQ already. She is very capable of being a solid six-rotation player for us. Overall, she is a happy, positive person who will add great energy to our program."
Claire Dewine
Setter/Right Side | 6-1
The Woodlands, Texas | The Woodlands | Houston Juniors Volleyball
Before Colgate
Garnered AVCA Second Team All-American laurels as a senior in 2022…Two-time First Team All-State selection (2020, 2022), GHVCA Setter of the Year after compiling 696 assists during her senior season…also posted an 0.484 hitting percentage and averaged 1.7 blocks per match to earn All-State honors…registered a 0.475 career hitting percentage…helped lead her team to a third-place state finish in 2022…played club volleyball for the Houston Juniors…2022 AVCA Best and Brightest First Team member…served as a new student ambassador…member of Leadership Council and Spirit Committee.
Personal
Born: Claire Maren Dewine in Sun City, Ariz.
Family: Daughter of Julie and John Dewine…has one brother Darby.
Claire on choosing Colgate: "When making my decision I was looking for a school that not only had competitive volleyball but also had very good academics. Colgate was the best of both worlds."
Coach Baker on Claire: "Claire has great strength as a setter. She has a very unique ability to locate from all different areas on the court because of her hand strength. Claire can also hit and put up a solid block that gives us options offensively. She is playing for a premier club and is getting better each time I see her compete."
Ava Schabes
Setter | 5-10
Chicago, Ill. | Whitney M. Young Magnet
1st Alliance Volleyball Club and Adversity Volleyball Club
Before Colgate
Four-time Chicago Super Conference Champion as a four-year starter at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School…graduates as the school's career assists leader after compiling 1,823 during her four-year high school career…garnered 2022-23 AVCA All-Region (Region 6) honors…ranked third in the state of Illinois with 809 assists during her senior season… three-time AVCA Phenom (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22) selection…four undefeated conference seasons en route to four championships…named to AVCA Best & Brightest First Team…PreVolleyball Academic All-American and Illinois State Scholar…four years recognized as a Whitney M. Young Principal's Scholar High for a 4.75 GPA or higher.
Personal
Born: Ava Grace Schabes in Chicago, Ill.
Family: Daughter of Katy and Matt Schabes…has one sister.
Ava on choosing Colgate: "I chose Colgate because it offers the perfect combination of strong academics and highly competitive athletics. When I first came to visit the campus, Colgate felt like home. I was drawn to the closeness of the players, the dedication of the coaching staff, the winning team culture, and the supportiveness of the entire Colgate community."
Coach Baker on Ava: "Ava is fast, relentless, and able to get her hands on a lot of balls. She does a really good job of keeping her hitters in rhythm from many different areas on the court. Ava plays hard and is always focused, which is something you want in your setter position. I look forward to working with her."
Frances Torres
Outside Hitter/Right Side | 6-0
Clarksburg, Md. | Veritas Scholars Academy | Metro Volleyball Club
Before Colgate
Under Armour All-American while competing on the club circuit for Metro Volleyball Club of Washington, D.C…selected for Florida Fest All-tournament Team in 2022-23…two-time selection for the USA Girl's Future Select National Training Program…helped guide the team to a fifth-place national finish, the best finish in program history…qualified for GJNC Open Division in 2023…senior captain…helped lead Veritas Scholars Academy to a state championship in 2019…two-time Dean's List honoree.
Personal
Born: Frances Nicole Torres-Esperanza in Indianapolis, Ind.
Family: Daughter of Wendy Esperanza-Crespi and Jose Torres-Vorshirm…has one brother, Gabriel, and one sister, Camila.
Frances on choosing Colgate: "I chose Colgate for its top-notch academics and competitive athletic programs. The beautiful campus with a calm scenery, family environment, and student-to-teacher ratio were all key factors in my decision. Playing in the Patriot League makes it easier for my family to drive to many of the games, which was a bonus."
Coach Baker on Frances: "Frances is a tremendous athlete with a good amount of strength and pop on the ball already. She has been well-trained and is very skilled. Frances is very focused and competitive which is something that stood out to me most in the recruiting process. She has the right mentality to be very successful."
