SEATTLE – Like coaches everywhere, Jason Rhine is often looking to the future.
 
With that in mind, Rhine is bringing in seven new players to join his Seattle Pacific volleyball program this fall.
 
Rhine has announced the signing of outside hitters Grace Holstrom and Megan Omlid, outside / opposite Maiya Lester, middle blockers Maddie Benjamin and Audra Rose, setter Peyton Ensign, and defensive specialist / libero Madeline Eggerth.
 
The addition of those seven will bring SPU's roster to 16 players for the 2025 season. They will be joined by one senior, three juniors, four sophomores and one redshirt freshman.
 
 

"This is the biggest class we've had so far, and it's a really exciting one for us," said head coach Jason Rhine, who will be heading into his fourth year at the helm. "A lot of individual people came together and just seemed to be fitting what we were looking for both athletically and academically, and just the people the are – the character they're going to bring to our team and our team culture. "
 
This is the second consecutive year that Rhine has brought in a large class. Last season, six newcomers came aboard.
 
All seven of those coming in this year have Northwest roots: five from Washington, one from Oregon, and one from Idaho.
 
"Part of that is getting to know the area a little bit more and seeing some recruits as they're coming up through the system and being able to get to know the players and their coaches," Rhine said. "These are just the players we identified as the best matches for this year. We're excited that we're developing nearby and that some of the parents and families will be able to come and watch."
 
 
MADDIE BENJAMIN
6-4 / Middle blocker
Duvall, Wash.
Cedarcrest High School
 
About Maddie: Helped lead Cedarcrest to an undefeated Kingco season in 2024, going 12-0 in league, 15-3 overall. … Named Co-MVP of Kingco Conference Lake Division. ... Spent two years on the varsity and was named team captain as a senior.
 
Coach Rhine says: "We got to know her a little bit later in the process, but we're excited about some of the talent that she has – and obviously, height is part of that, She has been developing a lot in the last couple years as a player, and we're really excited to see that trajectory continue moving forward."
 
Reason she chose SPU:  "I chose SPU because of the beautiful campus and perfect location. SPU has the exact major that I want to study (exercise science) and the athletic program. I also love the atmosphere here."
 
 
MADELINE EGGERTH
5-7 / Defensive specialist / Libero
Twin Falls, Idaho
Canyon Ridge High School
 
About Madeline: Three-time All-Great Basin League selection. … Has been playing volleyball for 11 years.
 
Coach Rhine says: "She's playing setter for her club team, and has played outside and has played DS before. She's good at ball control and has a good volleyball IQ. She came to our camp last year and brought a lot of personality. We're excited about what she can do for the team."

Reason she chose SPU:  I chose SPU because of where in Seattle it is located, and because of the smaller welcoming community of the school -- as well as the competitive nature.
 
 
PEYTON ENSIGN
5-9 / Setter
University Place, Wash.
Curtis High School
 
About Peyton: Helped Curtis win the Washington Class 4A (large school) state championship in 2024, as well as South Puget Sound League titles in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and West Central District titles in 2021 and 2024. … Four-time All-SPSL first team selection. … Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association first-team All-State pick as a freshman and sophomore, and second team as a junior. … .Tacoma News-Tribune All-Area first team as a senior.
 
Coach Rhine says: "She's a little bit taller than the setters we've had the last couple years. That opens up possibilities down the line in terms of systems we can run and things that she can do hopefully offensively. We're excited to see the tempo she's setting at and the offense she's going to be able to run in the future."
 
Reason she chose SPU:  "The coaches and the team were very welcoming, and even though I live in Washington, this feels like a new area to me."
 
 
GRACE HOLSTROM
6-3 / Outside hitter
Olympia, Wash.
Olympia High School
 
About Grace: Helped Olympia reach the Washington state tournament all four years, as the Bears reached the Class 4A (large school) quarterfinals in 2024 after placing 8th in 2021, 6th in 2022 and 3rd in 2023. .. All-South Puget Sound Leage 1st team as a senior in 2024 and 2nd team as a junior in 2023.  … All-State in 2024 and honorable mention in 2023. … Three-year team captain..
 
Coach Rhine says: "She was one of our first recruits in this class, and she has been fun to watch. We're excited to see how she continues to develop as a solid passer as well as an attacker."
 
Reason she chose SPU:  "I was attracted to this school because of the beautiful campus, the city it's in, what it offers – housing, small class size, and majors – and the fact that it's close to my home. I knew I wanted to stay close, and this was the perfect fit. I also have heard great things about the graphic design program here."
 
 
MAIYA LESTER
6-0 / Outside hitter / Opposite
Issaquah, Wash.
Liberty High School
 
About Maiya: Helped the Patriots reach the Washington Class 3A (medium / large school) state tournament the past two years, placing 5th in 2024 and 7th in 2023. … Named to the All-State team and to the All-State Tournament team as a senior. … .Won the state tournament Sportsmanship Award as a junior. … Plays tennis during the spring, reaching the district tournament with her doubles partner in 2024.
 
Coach Rhine says: "She hit a lot of the things we were looking for. She has a high GPA and a lot of her teammates and coaches spoke really highly of her in terms of who she is as a teammate and competitor. She has played a lot of outside and right side and has a lot of flexibility in terms of what she can bring to us on the court."
 
Reason she chose SPU:  "I picked SPU for numerous reasons. Not only is it close to home and has a beautiful campus, but the nursing program and the proximity to local hospitals excite me. Getting the opportunity to play volleyball was a dream come true because it meant I could chase my athletic goals while also going somewhere that would have amazing academic opportunities."
 
 
MEGAN OMLID
5-9 / Outside hitter
Stanwood, Wash.
Lakewood High School
 
About Megan: Four-year varsity starter, three-year captain, three-time team MVP. … Three-time All-Northwest Conference selection, including a 1^st team, a 2^nd team, and an honorable mention. … Hit the 1,000 mark for both kills and digs. … Also plays basketball and does track & field, placing 4^th at district in the high jump and running on the 6^th-place 4-by-100 relay in the Washington Class 2A (medium / small school) state meet in 2023. … Has played on the varsity girls golf team, as well.
 
Coach Rhine says: "She has played up in club before and has had a lot of experience at a solid level of volleyball, and has had some success in high school, as well. She's a good passer, a good defender, and is creative with her shots since she is a little smaller on the outside and she has had to deal with a lot of that already. She'll have a fun set of skills coming into our gym."
 
Reason she chose SPU:  "When I visited for volleyball, I absolutely loved the campus and how clean and pretty it was. I also loved how everyone was so nice and supportive."
 
 
AUDRA ROSE
6-2 / Middle blocker
St. Paul, Ore.
St. Paul High School
 
About Audra: Helped St. Paul reach two Oregon Class 1A (small school) state finals and two third-place matches, placing 2^nd twice and third twice during her four years. … Three-time All-State Tournament selection, including twice on the 1^st team and once on the 2^nd team. … Casco League MVP and team MVP. … Also plays basketball, being named Casco League MVP twice. … Team MVP. … All-State 2^nd team selection. … Oregon School Activities Association Player of the Week for Feb. 26-March 3 of this season. … Placed 7^th at state track & field in the shot put as a sophomore.
 
Coach Rhine says: "She has been a really steady player for her club and her team. She has continued to develop well through her high school career. She brings a lot of good physicality to the middle position and will provide great competition and depth in practice and hopefully in matches."
 
Reason she chose SPU:  "It is an inner city school and I have spent my whole life in a small town. It has that small-town feel with it being a smaller college."

With eight seniors who saw the bulk of the playing time last fall having graduated, becoming a regular part of the 2025 rotation figures to be wide open for any of the 16 Falcons expected in camp come August.
 
"There are a lot of positions that are going to be interesting that we have to figure out," Rhine said. "There'll be a lot of competition. We're excited for that and for the fun opportunities for everyone on the team."
 

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