Reese Bates will join the Butler Bulldogs for the 2023 campaign; she was one of Kyle Shondell's first commits as he was hired to lead the program in the spring.
 
Bates brings prep experience playing multiple positions including libero, defensive specialist and setter.
 
"Reese has a work ethic known far and wide and a skill set to match," said Shondell. "Her versatility and drive will suit her well at Butler."
 
Arriving at Butler from Overland Park, Kan., she was a four-year starter at Blue Valley Southwest High School. Her career statistics include more than 500 digs and 500 assists along with a 97-percent serving rate that featured more than 100 career aces.
 
Bates earned multiple honors in her four years including the KC Metro Sports All-Star Team and Hyvee-Spectrum Athlete of the Week. She was a four-time AVCA Phenom, a four-time Top 100 Prep Volleyball honoree in Kansas, and a four-time All-Academic first team recipient in the state. On three occasions, she was part of the USAV Beach Open and participated in Kerri Walsh Jennings' first RAD Academy.
 
During her club career, Bates spent time with both Topeka Impact and the KC Power. Over the last three years, she was part of more than 120 club wins.
 
In addition to her work on the court, Bates was also a four-year letterwinner in track and field, leading her 4x400 relay team to the state meet. Graduating with better than a 4.0 GPA, Bates earned National Honor Society and Chinese National Honor Society accolades.
 
She was most recently recognized as the 2023 Children's Mercy Sports Medicine Center Rising Star Award Honoree for demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities, setting and achieving goals while making a special impact in the community.