Volleyball Southern Conference

Davidson Adds Three Volleyball Recruits

DAVIDSON, N.C. - Davidson volleyball head coach Tim Cowie recently announced he has received national letters of intent from Jenna Dykstra, a 5-11 setter from Manhattan Beach, Calif., Jenny Mills, a 6-0 outside hitter from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Elizabeth Williamson, a 6-1 opposite from Austin, Texas for the upcoming 2003 season.

As a senior at Marymount High School, Dykstra was named to the All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) team while leading her squad to its third straight California state volleyball title. En route to the team's league, CIF and state championships, Dykstra was presented with the Sunshine Leagues 2002-03 Sportsmanship Award as well as the CIF Sportsmanship Citizenship Award. As a junior, Dykstra was an all-league selection while leading her team to its second state championship.

"Jenna is a gifted setter with great leadership skills," Cowie said. "We're very excited about her potential."

Dykstra's accomplishments are evident in the classroom as well. As a member of the California Scholarship Federation, she was named an Scholastic All-CIF selection. With awards of distinction in English, Dykstra graduated magna cum laude from Marymount. Dykstra is a member of the Sports Shack 18's club team and the daughter of Joe and Lisa Dykstra.

Mills led the Colorado 5A high school division in kills as a senior while helping Air Academy High School to a district title and the highest state placing in school history. The two-time high school captain was a three-year member of the all-district team and was twice named regional and state honorable mention.

"Jenny's experience playing on a national club team will help her transfer to playing at the collegiate level very quickly," added Cowie. "Her ability to play outside as well as her experience playing middle this past club season will make her a great asset to our program."

In the classroom, Mills competed in and won the state DECA competition for sports and marketing entertainment as a senior. Her club team, Pikes Peak Magenta, twice placed in the top 10 nationally. She is the daughter of Gene and Sally Mills.

A three-time all-conference first team member, Williamson earned team MVP honors in her senior campaign. Williamson's list of accolades also includes making the All-South Zone first team three years running and being named to the St. Mary's Hall Invitational all-tournament team last year.

"Liz has a tremendous amount of experience playing on one of the top junior clubs in Texas," Cowie said. "She should be able to help us immediately because of her experience."

Williamson is a member of the Austin Juniors 18's club team which won the 2003 Tour of Texas. Completing 10 terms on her school's honor role, the senior class president is the daughter of Charlotte Ward-Williamson of Austin, Texas, and Ralph Williamson and Marsha Huie of San Antonio, Texas.

Last season, the Wildcats finished 23-11 overall and third in the Southern Conference with a 15-5 league mark. Davidson opens the 2003 campaign at the Duquesne/Robert Morris Invitational in Pittsburgh, Pa., on August 29 and 30.