Xavier University Athletics
Volleyball Inks Three New Players on Signing Day
11.14.24 | Volleyball
Jenna Barhorst, Julia Grace and Ava Tilden will join the Musketeers for the 2025 season.
CINCINNATI - Head Coach Christy Pfeffenberger announced the addition of three new signees to the Xavier volleyball program for the 2025 season.
"All three in our 2025 class have been around the game for a long time. They all grew up around the sport and in the gym," said Pfeffenberger. "They have an energy about them that will be really fun to coach!"
Jenna Barhorst is a setter from Fort Loramie, Ohio, where she attends Fort Loramie High School.
At Fort Loramie, Barhorst is a four-year letter winner accumulating 2,900 assists, 600 digs, 2888 kills, 160 aces and 130 blocks. The 5'10 setter is a three-time All-County 1st Team and District 9 1st Team selection, a two-time 1st Team All-Ohio and AAU Nationals All-American and was the District 9 Player of the Year. She led Fort Loramie to the 2024 Division 7 State Championship with a 28-1 record in her senior year. Barhorst played for Premier Academy where she won a national championship her sophomore year and finished runner-up her junior year.
"I am thrilled for Jenna to join the family," said Pfeffenberger. "She has a pure competitive fire about her that will complement our gym."
Barhorst plans to major in dental hygiene and business at Xavier. She is the daughter of Jeff and Krista Barhorst and has two siblings, sister Caleigh and brother Carson. Her father Jeff played baseball at Walter State and mother Krista played volleyball at Kentucky. Her sister Caleigh played volleyball at Toledo.
Julia Grace is a libero and defensive specialist from Villa Hills, Kentucky, where she attends Notre Dame Academy.
Grace was a four-year starter on varsity at Notre Dame Academy where she holds the all-time career dig record with 1,471 total digs. She was named to the KY State All-Tournament Team two years in a row and was named the KVCA Defensive Player of the Year and KVCA Region 9 Player of the Year with a spot on the KVCA All-State 1st Team her senior year. She was a 2nd Team All-State Selection her junior year as well as the 2023 NKA Div 1 Most Outstanding Player and Region 9 Player of the Year. Grace was named to the 2023 MaxPreps All-America 2nd Team and is a two-time PrepVolleyball All-American.
"Julia Grace! I am beyond excited to have her on our roster," said Pfeffenberger. "You can tell she truly loves the game and plays lights out."
Grace is currently undecided in her major at Xavier. She is the daughter of Corey and Courtney Grace and has three siblings, Emma, Micah and Mia. Her father Corey played basketball at Thomas More and mother Courtney played volleyball at DePauw. Her sister Emma is an outside hitter on the Xavier volleyball team.
Ava Tilden is an outside hitter from Crescent Springs, Kentucky, where she attends Notre Dame Academy with future Musketeer Julia Grace.
At Notre Dame Academy, Tilden was a four-year varsity player where she recorded 1,244 career kills. She was named to the 2024 KVCA First Team All-State as well as earning the Regional MVP and a spot on the 2024 District All-Tournament Team. As a junior, Tilden was First Team All-State as well as part of the 2023 Regional All-Tournament and District All-Tournament Team. She was named to the 2023 AVCA Phenom Watch List and the 2022 JVA Watch List.
"Ava has a high IQ and an intensity that is seen in her play," said Pfeffenberger. "She is an incredible teammate and a gritty attacker."
Tilden is currently undecided in her major at Xavier. She is the daughter of Amanda and Chris Tilden and has two siblings, Kaia and Archer.
