Butler University Athletics

2024 - Sophomore Season: Appeared in 21 matches...competed in 52 sets...recorded 61 digs...ranked fifth on the team with 13 service aces...set a new career-high with four service aces vs. Providence (10/13)...earned a season-high nine digs vs. Seton Hall (10/18).

2023 - Freshman Season: Appeared 26 matches…played in 95 sets…posted 158 total digs and 23 assists…finished third on the team with 19 serving aces…registered a season-high 13 digs at Providence, (10/13)…tied for most serving aces in a match by a Bulldog this season with four vs. DePaul (10/21).

PRIOR TO BUTLER: A four-year starter at Blue Valley Southwest, Bates' career statistics include more than 500 digs and 500 assists along with a 97-percent serving rate that featured more than 100 career aces. She earned multiple honors 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. In club play, Bates spent time with both Topeka Impact and the KC Power. 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, she earned National Honor Society and Chinese National Honor Society accolades. Bates 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, and making a special impact in the community.

ON CHOOSING BUTLER: "Butler felt like home and the perfect fit for me. It has everything I want in a school including great academics, amazing coaching (Coach Shondelle is amazing and has a great volleyball IQ and the perfect coaching style), facilities, perfect campus, and the Big East conference. I feel that I can be a part of great team accomplishments, and I feel Butler can get me to the next level in all areas of life. He has a plan, and I believe Butler is the right one for me."

COACH SHONDELL'S OUTLOOK: "Reese has a work ethic known far and wide and a skill set to match. Her versatility and drive will suit her well at Butler!”

PERSONAL: Bates is the daughter of Shannon and Randy Bates and has one sibling, Austin Ray.