After adding three hitters to its freshman class in November, the Illinois volleyball team has rounded out its 2013 recruiting class.

The Illini announced the signings of defensive specialist Danielle Davis and setter/defensive specialist McKenna Kelsay on Thursday. The duo joins outside hitters Michelle Strizak and Katie Roustio and middle blocker Katie Stadick for the entire class.

“I am excited to welcome Danielle and McKenna to our program,” said head coach Kevin Hambly in a press release. “They will both be great culture kids and great teammates and will compete to get on the floor immediately. They, along with the other three players, make for a great 2013 that will bring a lot of competitiveness and depth to our gym. I can’t wait to get them all in the gym.”

Both players are in-state recruits, as Kelsay is from St. Francis High School in Wheaton, Ill., and Davis is from Bloomington, Ill.

Kelsay slides into the backup setter role behind sophomore Alexis Viliunas. With setter Annie Luhrsen graduating, there was a need for setter depth on the roster. Kelsay was named All-Area by the Daily Herald, as well as one of the top-50 prospects in the state, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. She provides a lot of versatility on the court by also being able to play defensive specialist or libero.

“McKenna is a tremendous athlete, and if she was taller, she would be coveted as a 5-1 setter,” Hambly said, referring to the 5-1 offensive formation his team runs. “She can play both libero and setter and will be looked at to do both for our program. I am excited about the leadership and competitiveness she will bring to the program.”

Davis fills a void left by defensive specialist Jackie Wolfe but will have to compete with the current Illini defensive specialists to see the court. The Illini already have two on the roster in Julia Conard and Courtney Abrahamovich, both of whom were used at times last season.

At Bloomington Central Catholic High School, Davis was named all-area and all-conference each of her four years there. This past season, she was named area volleyball Player of the Year.

“Danielle is a great attacker at the high school club level, but for us she will be looked at to be more of a ball-control, back-row player,” Hambly said. “She is a great passer and defensive player and will add tremendous depth to our libero/defensive specialist group.”

Stephen can be reached at sbourbo2 @dailyillini.com and @steve_bourbon.