Southeast Missouri State volleyball team signs former Woodland star Rachel Poole

Southeast Missouri State coach Julie Yankus announced the signing of Woodland graduate Rachel Poole on Wednesday.

Poole, a setter, earned all-conference and all-region honors during her 2015 season at Jefferson College, which competes in the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference. She was also a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) second team All-American after tallying 1,303 assists. She averaged 11.33 assists per set, which ranked fourth in the NJCAA.

On top of that, Poole added 235 digs and had a .414 hitting percentage on 302 attempts.

"Her success at the junior college level has prepared her for this level in so many ways," Yankus said about Poole in a press release. "I'm excited to see how her leadership and experience contribute to her role as a setter.

"Rachel comes from a family full of volleyball players so her knowledge of the game is much higher than a lot of athletes her age. She is athletic and scrappy, so I know she will be fun to watch."

Poole was an all-conference, all-region and All-Southeast Missourian selection during her senior season at Woodland. She was also a finalist for Semoball Awards Volleyball Player of the Year in 2014.

The fifth signee for the 2016 season, Poole joins fellow Southeast newcomers Emily Boggetto, Alyssa Wolslegel, Krista Berns and Mikayla Kuhlmann.

The Redhawks begin their season at home with the Redhawks Invitational on Aug. 26-27. They'll host New Orleans, Illinois-Chicago and Louisiana Tech.