GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The University of Florida volleyball signing class, set to don the Orange and Blue for the 2016 season, expanded to nine this spring with the addition of two walk-ons in
Chanelle Hargreaves and
Camille Nieves, and a transfer in 2015 USA Volleyball Junior National Team member
Caroline "CK" Knop.
The trio of Gators
joins an impressive group of six who signed NLIs in the fall signing period and helps addresses a number of needs for a Florida squad that departed five starting seniors following the 2015 campaign.
If the name Hargreaves sounds familiar, it should, as Chanelle is the younger sister of former Gator All-American and first round NFL Draft pick Vernon Hargreaves.
The Orange and Blue have already benefitted from an early enrollee in the signing class,
Mia Sokolowski, who stepped on campus in January to train with the Gators through the spring semester.
CAROLINE "CK" Knop
5-8 | DS | Pasadena, Calif. | La Salle College Prep | Club: San Gabriel Elite
CK High School Accolades
- California Interscholastic Federation Div. 1A Champions 2012 and 2013
- CIF Runner Up in 2011 and CIF
- CIF Semifinalist in 2010
- Undefeated League Champions 2010-2013
- All CIF Southern Section First or Second Team member 2011-2013
- Del Rey League MVP 2013
- First Team League 2011-2013
- Durango Fall Classic All Tourney Team 2013
CK Club and National Team Accolades
- Member of the USA Volleyball Women's Junior National Team in 2015
- Won Gold alongside Gators Rhamat Alhassan and Carli Snyder at the 2015 European Global Challenge in Croatia
- 2014 Women's Junior National training Team
- Selected as libero with the Girls Youth National Training Team in 2013
- Played for San Gabriel Elite from 2007-2014
- Participated in USA Volleyball's GJNC's five years, the last three of which were in 16 Open, 17 Open and 18 Open
- Captained or co-captained all three teams
- Highest finish was 3rd in 17 Open
- Named to the 17 Open Junior Nationals All Tournament Team
CK Off the Court Notables
- Daughter of Kurt and Paula Knop
- Spent the first two seasons of her career at the University of Michigan, where she started as a six-rotation outside hitter and led the team in total attacks and finished second in kills
- First Scholar (GPA over 3.7) 2010-1014, National Honors Society 2011-2014 and California Scholarship Federation 2011-2014
- Named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2014 and MVP of the Bobcat Classic in 2015
- Younger sister Katherine is an incoming freshman playing volleyball at the University of California, Berkeley
- Earned 16 Varsity Letters in four years of high school: played Volleyball, Golf, Basketball and Softball
- Golf made CIF playoffs twice and she was named to First or Second Team All-League from 2010-2012
- Basketball team made second round or better in 2012-2014, she was named First or Second Team All-League from 2012-2014
- Softball made CIF Playoffs in 2012-2014, was named First or Second Team All-League from 2012-2014
- Involved at school and in the community as Co-Commissioner and Rally Committee member at La Salle 2012-2014, also served as part of the La Salle Ambassador Program and worked with the LA Regional Food Bank outreach team from 2010-2014
- A member of the Pasadena National Charity League from 2008-2014, volunteering over 100 hours each year -- loved working with the children involved at the Friends of Foster Children and Kidspace Museum and also worked at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center and served as an umpire in the Sierra Madre Girls Softball Association
What they're saying about CK:
"In life, there are people that come and go, and then there are those that stick with you. For those who have coached, taught, played with, or been a fan of CK, I am sure that she has left a lasting impression on them. She has certainly left a lasting impression on me, and I am sure that the Gator fan base will love seeing her play in Gainesville this coming fall. Throughout my time coaching CK, both collegiately and with the USA Junior National Team, I have seen CK take on a couple of different roles – Outside Hitter and Libero -- She has always embraced the role that was best for the team. There is no question, in my humble opinion, that CK can be one of the best liberos in the country. She has the athletic ability, the drive, the mindset and the support to continue to raise her game up to the next level. I am excited to follow CK's career to Florida…She will make a wonderful Gator!"
-- Erin Virtue | Coached CK with the USA Volleyball Junior National Team
CHANELLE HARGREAVES
5-4 | DS | Tampa, Fla. | Wharton High School | Club: Tampa United Volleyball Academy
Hargreaves High School Accolades
- Four-year varsity letterman at Wharton High School
- 2016 Hillsborough County Volleyball Player of the Year
- Led Hillsborough County in digs in 2015
- A 2014 and 2015 Team Captain at Wharton High School
- A 2013, 2014, & 2015 First Team All-Conference selection
- 2013 & 2015 High School MVP
Hargreaves Club and National Team Accolades
- Qualified for Open Junior Nationals in 2012, 2014 and 2015
Hargreaves Off the Court Notables
- Daughter of Vernon and Jackie Hargreaves
- A four-time Honor Roll student
- Ran track in 2013 & 2014, awarded the Coaches' Award in 2014
- Father, Vernon Hargreaves, played football at the University of Connecticut and in the European Football League
- Brother, Vernon Hargreaves, played football at the University of Florida and was a First Round NFL Draft pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Sister, Carina Hargreaves, earned her Bachelor and Master's degrees from UF & is now employed at the University of South Carolina working with the football department
- Involved in the community with CATS, a program working with underprivileged elementary school, and as a volunteer for middle school camp
What they're saying about Hargreaves:
"Chanelle has off the charts footspeed and a fight to the whistle mentality. She is a player who leaves it all on the court and can't get enough extra reps. She was named team captain because she leads by example, and her teammates know that her support of the team and of them as individuals is genuine. I have truly loved working with her this season. I look forward to her being challenged at UF and working hard to contribute to the program's future successes. She definitely will leave her mark at Tampa United and is a great example for future United players!"
-- Madeline Gonzalez | Head Coach, Tampa United 18
CAMILLE NIEVES
5-7 | DS | Montverde, Fla. | Montverde Academy | Club: Top Select Volleyball Academy
Nieves High School Accolades
- Awarded 2016 Ezmark All-American
- 2016 Senior Captain at Montverde Academy
- Four-year Varsity Letter Winner
- 2013 Perfect Serve Award
- 2012 Metro Champions
Nieves Club and National Team Accolades
- Seven-time USA Volleyball National Qualifier
- 2015 led the team to a third-place finish at the Mideast Qualifier
- 2014 led the team in the 16 Open Final Four at the Big South Qualifier
- 2013 Beast of the Southeast 15 Open Champions
- 2013 finished 3rd in the Big South Qualifier in 15 Open
- Awarded 2012 Highest GPA on Club Team
Nieves Off the Court Notables
- Daughter of Oscar and Gloria Nieves
- 2015 Principals Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
- Member of the National Honor Society
- Member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars
- Member of the Student Government Association
- Member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Awarded December 2014 High School Student of the Month
- Heavily involved in the community with Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Surfers for Autism, and Shelter for Battered Women
- Also participated in four other sports: swimming, gymnastics, tennis & fencing
What they're saying about Nieves:
"Camille transferred to Montverde Academy as a senior, due to a family move. Camille made an instant impact in our program, even before she stepped foot onto the court. While volunteering as an assistant coach at our summer camp, Camille demonstrated a poise and leadership ability well beyond her years. She was a natural with the kids, and made their camp experience memorable with her encouragement and ability to teach the game. Camille led our varsity team in serve reception and in digs. She became a leader instantaneously. Her ability to see the game, and be in the right place at the right time is unparalleled at the high school level. Camille made a lasting impression on our volleyball program at Montverde Academy. I have no doubt in my mind that Camille embodies everything that a Florida Gator is. She is tough. She is dedicated. She is talented. And she is driven! I anticipate with great excitement watching Camille flourish as a Florida Gator!"
-- Rachel Adams | Head Coach, Montverde Academy
