TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's volleyball head coach Danijela Tomić announced the signings of McKenzie Johnson, Elliott Mickelberry and Ava Ledebuhr to the 2025 roster.
For more information on each athlete, see the individual capsules below.
McKenzie Johnson | Libero | Rockwall, Texas (LA Tech)
Johnson joins the Bearcats as a grad transfer from Louisiana Tech. She played in 301 sets across 87 matches, totaling 1,341 digs, 107 aces and 248 assists in her career. She holds LA Tech's program records for career digs per set (4.46), single-season digs per set (5.24) and single-match digs (37). She also ranks fifth all-time in total digs for the Bulldogs (1,341). She was an All-Conference USA selection and named to the All-Freshman Team.
Coach Tomić on Johnson: "McKenzie adds experience, veteran leadership, and depth to our defensive unit. She broke multiple school records during her time at LA Tech, and her consistency and skills will immediately elevate our defensive and serve-receive."
Elliot Mickelberry | Middle Blocker | Lafayette, Colo. (Centaurus High School)
Mickelberry is a 6-foot-2 middle blocker who played for Centaurus High School. As a junior, she ranked 27th in the state for blocks and first in the league. She followed that up with All-Conference honors in her final season. She played for Norco Volleyball Club, where she finished second in the state and earned a national bid. In addition to volleyball, she was a varsity tennis player from 2022 to 2025.
Coach Tomić on Mickelberry: "Elliott is still young to the game, but her athleticism and growth potential are incredibly exciting. She has shown rapid development in a short period of time, and we believe she has the tools to grow into a high-impact player in our conference."
Ava Ledebuhr | Libero | Naperville, Ill. (Benet Academy)
Ava Ledebuhr, a 5-foot-8 libero, wrapped up her high school career at Benet Academy. Ledebuhr helped guide Benet to back-to-back second-place finishes at the IHSA State Championships during her junior and senior seasons, posting records of 39-3 and 40-2, respectively. She was key in securing consecutive Conference, Regional, Sectional, and Super-Sectional championships. She was named Most Improved Player as a senior and was twice honored as Best Defensive Player. She also played for the No. 1-ranked club in Illinois in 1st Alliance. In addition to indoor volleyball, Ledebuhr competes in beach volleyball.
Coach Tomić on Ledebuhr: "Ava has excellent court awareness, and her background in beach volleyball adds a layer of versatility and ball control that will be a strong asset in our system. She brings energy, a work ethic, and a relentless competitive drive."
For more information on each athlete, see the individual capsules below.
McKenzie Johnson | Libero | Rockwall, Texas (LA Tech)
Johnson joins the Bearcats as a grad transfer from Louisiana Tech. She played in 301 sets across 87 matches, totaling 1,341 digs, 107 aces and 248 assists in her career. She holds LA Tech's program records for career digs per set (4.46), single-season digs per set (5.24) and single-match digs (37). She also ranks fifth all-time in total digs for the Bulldogs (1,341). She was an All-Conference USA selection and named to the All-Freshman Team.
Coach Tomić on Johnson: "McKenzie adds experience, veteran leadership, and depth to our defensive unit. She broke multiple school records during her time at LA Tech, and her consistency and skills will immediately elevate our defensive and serve-receive."
Elliot Mickelberry | Middle Blocker | Lafayette, Colo. (Centaurus High School)
Mickelberry is a 6-foot-2 middle blocker who played for Centaurus High School. As a junior, she ranked 27th in the state for blocks and first in the league. She followed that up with All-Conference honors in her final season. She played for Norco Volleyball Club, where she finished second in the state and earned a national bid. In addition to volleyball, she was a varsity tennis player from 2022 to 2025.
Coach Tomić on Mickelberry: "Elliott is still young to the game, but her athleticism and growth potential are incredibly exciting. She has shown rapid development in a short period of time, and we believe she has the tools to grow into a high-impact player in our conference."
Ava Ledebuhr | Libero | Naperville, Ill. (Benet Academy)
Ava Ledebuhr, a 5-foot-8 libero, wrapped up her high school career at Benet Academy. Ledebuhr helped guide Benet to back-to-back second-place finishes at the IHSA State Championships during her junior and senior seasons, posting records of 39-3 and 40-2, respectively. She was key in securing consecutive Conference, Regional, Sectional, and Super-Sectional championships. She was named Most Improved Player as a senior and was twice honored as Best Defensive Player. She also played for the No. 1-ranked club in Illinois in 1st Alliance. In addition to indoor volleyball, Ledebuhr competes in beach volleyball.
Coach Tomić on Ledebuhr: "Ava has excellent court awareness, and her background in beach volleyball adds a layer of versatility and ball control that will be a strong asset in our system. She brings energy, a work ethic, and a relentless competitive drive."