Colorado University Athletics
Clayton Joins Buffs Squad
January 16, 2019 | Volleyball
Reigning SoCon Player of the Year signs with Colorado for 2020 season
BOULDER – 
The University of Colorado women's volleyball team has signed junior transfer Leah Clayton from East Tennessee State University, head coach Jesse Mahoney announced earlier this week.
"We couldn't be more excited to bring Leah into the Colorado program," Mahoney said. "She is a true six-rotation player that can execute all the skills at a high level, but what really stood out to me in watching Leah at ETSU is her competitive spirit. She's the type of player who goes hard every play regardless of the score. She knows what it takes to play at a high level and she will fit in well with the culture that we are continuing to build here in our program."
Clayton had a remarkable season with the Bucs, highlighted by being named the Southern Conference Player of the Year after hitting 503 kills. She helped ETSU to a 28-7 overall record as a junior and a first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. She was also named to the AVCA Southeast All-Region team. This was the first at-large bid of any sport for ETSU. The outside finished her junior season 50th in the nation in the kills per set and first in her conference. She was also 24th in the nation in total points and total kills.
In just two seasons with East Tennessee State Clayton make a huge impact with more than 850 kills. Last season she averaged more than four kills per set and hit .233 from the pin. She also served up 26 aces and had 344 digs for second on the team. Clayton contributed 52 total blocks as well.
Clayton was named the SoCon Player of the Week twice last season, including after posting an upset of No.22-ranked Washington State with a career-high 25 kills. She had 13 double-doubles to lead the Bucs as well. Clayton helped lead East Tennessee State to back-to-back SoCon Championship matches, winning the tournament her junior season.
Prior to transferring to ETSU, Clayton played for Liberty University her freshman season. There she was named the VaSID State Rookie of the Year as well as the Big South Freshman of the Year. At liberty Clayton had 346 kills and 242 digs, bringing her to more than 1,000 kills in her collegiate career and more than 800 digs. She led Liberty as a freshman in kills and averaged more than four kills per set with a .182 hitting percentage.
Clayton graduated from Westover Christian Academy in Danville, Virginia, where she was a stellar two-sport athlete in volleyball and basketball. She had more than 2,000 kills in her prep career and scored more than 1,000 points in basketball.
Due to NCAA eligibility rules, Clayton must sit out the 2019 season. She will be in jersey in the 2020 season and join Colorado's large recruiting class of 2019 and the rest of the squad as the new players return after a season of experience.
#8 for Eastern Tennessee State University, Leah Clayton
The University of Colorado women's volleyball team has signed junior transfer Leah Clayton from East Tennessee State University, head coach Jesse Mahoney announced earlier this week."We couldn't be more excited to bring Leah into the Colorado program," Mahoney said. "She is a true six-rotation player that can execute all the skills at a high level, but what really stood out to me in watching Leah at ETSU is her competitive spirit. She's the type of player who goes hard every play regardless of the score. She knows what it takes to play at a high level and she will fit in well with the culture that we are continuing to build here in our program."
Clayton had a remarkable season with the Bucs, highlighted by being named the Southern Conference Player of the Year after hitting 503 kills. She helped ETSU to a 28-7 overall record as a junior and a first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. She was also named to the AVCA Southeast All-Region team. This was the first at-large bid of any sport for ETSU. The outside finished her junior season 50th in the nation in the kills per set and first in her conference. She was also 24th in the nation in total points and total kills.
In just two seasons with East Tennessee State Clayton make a huge impact with more than 850 kills. Last season she averaged more than four kills per set and hit .233 from the pin. She also served up 26 aces and had 344 digs for second on the team. Clayton contributed 52 total blocks as well.
Clayton was named the SoCon Player of the Week twice last season, including after posting an upset of No.22-ranked Washington State with a career-high 25 kills. She had 13 double-doubles to lead the Bucs as well. Clayton helped lead East Tennessee State to back-to-back SoCon Championship matches, winning the tournament her junior season.
Prior to transferring to ETSU, Clayton played for Liberty University her freshman season. There she was named the VaSID State Rookie of the Year as well as the Big South Freshman of the Year. At liberty Clayton had 346 kills and 242 digs, bringing her to more than 1,000 kills in her collegiate career and more than 800 digs. She led Liberty as a freshman in kills and averaged more than four kills per set with a .182 hitting percentage.
Clayton graduated from Westover Christian Academy in Danville, Virginia, where she was a stellar two-sport athlete in volleyball and basketball. She had more than 2,000 kills in her prep career and scored more than 1,000 points in basketball.
Due to NCAA eligibility rules, Clayton must sit out the 2019 season. She will be in jersey in the 2020 season and join Colorado's large recruiting class of 2019 and the rest of the squad as the new players return after a season of experience.
#8 for Eastern Tennessee State University, Leah Clayton
Players Mentioned
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