Charley Niego’s motto is, “It’s not how big you are but how big you play.” At 6-foot-1, Niego has good size, but her talent and skill on the volleyball court makes her larger than life.

The 2016 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year led her Mother McAuley High School team to the Illinois Class 4A state title as a junior, hitting close to .400 with 498 kills, 473 digs, 69 blocks, and 25 aces. The 2016 Mighty Macs were named the top team in the country by virtually every outlet that ranks high school volleyball teams. 

Charley Niego

Position: Outside Hitter

Height: 6-1 

High School: Mother McAuley (Chicago, IL)

Club: Michio Chicago

College Commitment: Notre Dame

This fall, Mother McAuley lost to rival Marist in the state quarterfinals and ranked 13th in the most recent Flo50 High School Rankings, but Niego improved her individual game significantly. She led the team with 456 kills, 81 blocks, and 366 digs. Her hitting percentage was .402 and she added 42 aces to her stats line.

Niego committed to Notre Dame during her sophomore year, and next fall she’ll be reunited with former McAuley teammate Ryann DeJarld, who was the Fighting Irish’s starting libero this season.

Notre Dame head coach Jim McLaughlin can’t wait to have Niego join his team, which just made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012. On signing day, he said this about his future outside hitter: 

“I wish Charley was here today. Charley has a complete skill set at this point in her development and has very good physical abilities. Her arm is fast and she hits a very heavy ball, but what I appreciate most about her is her intensity and energy. The best players that I’ve coached have had a unique level of intensity and energy. Charley has that special gift and if she uses it correctly, there will be no limits on how far she takes her ability.” 

See Niego and the other First Teamers in action at the Under Armour All-America Match on December 15, 2017, LIVE only on FloVolleyball.