Appalachian State
BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University signed three student-athletes in the early signing period for the 2009-10 academic year, head coach Matt Ginipro announced on Wednesday. Outside hitters Meghann Forshey and Kelsey Kuehner join libero/defensive specialist Courtney Rhein in next season's freshman class.
"The Class of 2009 represents our second recruiting class for Appalachian State Volleyball and we went out looking for very specific things in our new Mountaineers," said Ginipro. "First and foremost, we were looking for players who were going to help raise the program to the top of the SoCon and, more importantly, whose presence will create a winning culture in our gym every day. We also wanted to bring in players who were extremely competitive and had experience playing at a high level. All three of our signees fit that mold perfectly. Along with that, all three are amazing young women with fantastic personalities that will be fun to have on the court. We are very excited for Meghann, Kelsey and Courtney to don the Black and Gold and look forward to getting them on campus."
Meghann Forshey (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run High School) led her team to two state titles and earned first team all-district and all-region honors for coach Terra Balla's team as a senior in 2008. The 6-0 outside hitter also earned all-district honors as a sophomore and junior and was named to the second team all-region in 2007 as well. She earned the Coaches' Award as a junior and was named the 2008 District Player of the Year. Forshey plans to major in graphic design with a minor in business.
"Meghann brings us height and athleticism to our left side attack, along with the ability to hit multiple types of sets across the net. She has experience playing both on the left and in the middle, so I'm excited to think of the offensive possibilities we'll have with her on the court. Meghann won two state titles with her high school and they very nearly made it to their third championship match this year. That type of experience will be invaluable for our program."
Kelsey Kuehner (Solon, Ohio/Solon High School) was named to the all-district and all-conference teams as a senior for coach Liz Guard this season and was named to her district's all-star team. A four-time Scholar Athlete Award winner, she led her club team to a ninth-place finish at nationals. The 6-1 outside hitter earned district and conference honors as a junior and was named a Top 150 Senior Ace by PrepVolleyball.com. She plans to major in biology/pre-dentistry.
"Kelsey will be bringing some depth and much-needed height to our left-side attack. She is a long 6-1 outside hitter who I believe can develop into a consistent terminator for our program, along with being a big block for opposing teams to deal with on that side of the net. She comes in with great club experience and plays on a team with several other NCAA Division I signees. Kelsey had a very good senior high school season and looks to grow even more as a dominant outside hitter during her final club season this spring."
Courtney Rhein (York, Pa./Eastern York High School) was her team's captain this year and was named to the all-district and all-county teams. The 5-8 libero/defensive specialist tallied 336 assists and 169 kills as a setter for Eastern York, where she was named to the school's honor roll each of her four years. The York, Pa. native played basketball and ran track for two years in high school and was named the track rookie of the year for 2008. She is undecided on a major.
"I have known the Rhein family for nearly three years because I recruited Courtney's sister to Virginia. They are an amazing family and I couldn't be happier that they are going to be a part of ASU Volleyball. Courtney will add a great deal of ball control to our program as well as high level of competitiveness in the gym. She is also one of the strongest, most stable, players I have seen in the libero position and I look forward to adding her skills to our veteran back-row tandem of Heather Kale and Cassie Engelgau."
"I believe that the trio makes up a great recruiting class, and will possibly grow into one of the best Appalachian State Volleyball has seen in a while. They are the perfect players to come in and make an immediate impact in the rebuilding process of our program. I feel very fortunate to have been able to attract these players to Boone and hope that luck can continue in future classes."
The Mountaineers finished fifth in the Southern Conference North Division this season with a 3-15 mark in league play, 7-25 overall. Eleven players return for 2009 after the graduation of seniors Charissa Clearman and Carla Durham.
College of Charleston
CHARLESTON, S.C. ? The College of Charleston volleyball program has announced the signing of 6-2 middle blocker Kerstin Koehler (Weaverville, N.C.) for the 2009 season. She will join the Cougars as a freshman next season and is the first player to sign with the program this offseason.
An accomplished player at North Buncombe High School, Koehler is expected to add to an already impressive Charleston frontline that includes 6-0 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Elyse Chubb, a trio of 6-2 players in Sarah Havel, Ginny Phillips and Jennifer Darty as well as 6-0 setter Cole Dawley, all of whom contributed extensively at the net.
"I am very excited about the addition of Kerstin to our program” said Charleston head coach Jason Kepner. “She is a very gifted athlete who has the ability to dominate at the net and has a great work ethic and attitude towards her teammates”.
Last season, Koehler earned MAC Conference Player of the Year honors and was the Blackhawks Player of the Year as she led the team to the fourth round of the North Carolina State Playoffs for the first time in school history. She finished the 2008 campaign with 349 kills, a .610 hitting percentage, 77 blocks and 22 aces to go along with a .960 serve percentage.
As a junior, she totaled 165 kills, 98 blocks, 58 digs, 32 aces and 13 assists while hitting .409 to earn MAC All-Conference and WNC Honorable Mention. Kerstin was also named a Scholar Athlete as NBHS advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.
In her first year of varsity competition as a sophomore, Koehler was the team’s “Rookie of the Year” as well as an All-Conference and WNC Honorable Mention selection. That season she compiled 96 kills and 39 blocks.
In addition to her high school playing career, Kerstin is also a member of the Biltmore 18-under club team that qualified for the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic Championships in Dallas, Texas last year.
“Above all else Kerstin is an incredible person and will add to our team chemistry” added Kepner. “She will be a great role model and will represent this program well."
The daughter of Joanie and Tim Koehler, Kerstin will join the College of Charleston as a freshman for the 2009 season.
The Citadel
CHARLESTON, S.C. ? The Citadel Volleyball program and head coach Carolyn Geiger announced on Monday the signing of three players to a National Letter of Intent. Emily Dalton, Jessica Maxwell and Cassie Uribe will join the Bulldogs for the 2009 season. Maxwell and Uribe attend the same high school that current Bulldog Tatum Jestila attended.
“I am excited to announce the signing of three talented and academically strong student-athletes during the early signing period,” said Geiger. “All three players come from strong high school and club programs.”
Dalton, a 5-10 outside hitter from Cary, Ill., attends Cary-Grove High School, where she earned three varsity letters in volleyball. Her 2008 Cary-Grove team was crowned the Fox Valley Conference Champions after recording a 31-6 overall record and a 9-1 conference record. She was a member of the 2007 Regional Fox Conference championship team and the 2006 Fox Conference championship team that completed an undefeated season. Dalton played for Club Fusion and will major in Health, Exercise and Sport Science.
Maxwell, a 6-0 middle blocker from Scottsdale, Ariz., attends Notre Dame Prep High School, where she was a member of the Arizona 4AII State Championship team and the Black Canyon Region Championship team. Maxwell was a 2008 All-Region First Team selection and a 2007 All-Region Second Team selection. She played for the Arizona Juniors and will major in psychology or criminal justice.
Uribe, a 5-11 outside hitter from Scottsdale, Ariz., attends Notre Dame Prep High School, along with Maxwell. She was a member of the Arizona 4AII State Championship team and the Black Canyon Region Championship team. Uribe was a 2008 and a 2007 All-Region First Team selection. This past season, she was selected as Player of the Year for her region and was the Most Valuable Player for the Millennium Tournament. She played for the Arizona Sky and will major in business administration, criminal justice or Spanish.
“Jessica and Cassie are still leading their high school team on a quest for a state championship,” Geiger added. “They are a solid combination on the front row and anchor the team in the back court. All three will bring added height and depth to our team. All three young ladies will help us build this program and will be a valuable member of the Corps of Cadets next year.”
Elon
ELON, N.C. ? Elon University head volleyball coach Mary Tendler announces the addition of three members to the 2009 Elon volleyball team. Carly Ledbetter, Celia Eddy and Alison Deatsch each signed with the Phoenix during the fall early signing period.
“We are excited to welcome Carly, Celia, and Ali to Elon University and our volleyball program,” Tendler said. “All three players bring the necessary skills and physical ability that we need to improve as a team.”
Ledbetter, a 5’10” outside hitter, was the first member of the 2009-10 signing class. She is a native of Hilton Head, S.C. where she enjoyed a standout career at Hilton Head Island High School. The 2008 3A State and Region 8 3A Player of the Year, she was also nominated for both the Gatorade Player of the Year and Wendy’s High School Heisman. She was named to the South Carolina High School Sports Report all-state team in both 2006 and 2008. Ledbetter also garnered all-region honors from 2005-08 and was a South Carolina all-state team member. In 2005 and 2008, Ledbetter was selected to the Palmetto All-State first team and was a four-time selection to the Wando High School all-tournament team. While prepping at Hilton Head Island High School, she led her team to the 2005 and 2008 Region Championship and to the state finals. Ledbetter was also a member of the 2005 and 2008 palmetto region championship club team that made an appearance at the national tournament in Dallas, Texas in 2008. She was also a member of the VSA Women’s Junior National A2 Team. Ledbetter is the daughter of Melissa Ledbetter.
Tendler on Ledbetter: “Carly has the skills, quickness, and jumping ability to be effective in both the front and back row. She has a very upbeat personality and an intense desire to win. She will bring some excitement to the court.”
Joining the Phoenix from Gulf Breeze High School in Gulf Breeze, Fla., Eddy is a three-time member of the Pensacola News Journal first team. A 6’3” middle blocker, she also earned all-area all-star recognition following her senior year and was a member of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s 2008 volleyball all-star team. She helped to lead her high school team to the District 1-4A championship match and regional quarterfinal match in 2006 and 2008. A National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar with Distinction and the President of Gulf Breeze’s National Honor Society, Eddy was a four-year volleyball scholar athlete. Eddy is the daughter of Edwin and Janet Eddy.
Tendler on Eddy: “Celia will bring a bigger blocking presence to our team. Her size and mobility will really help us out defensively. Offensively, she is a smart player with the ability to power through a block. I look for her to be a dominate player at the net.”
Deatsch, a 5’5” libero from York High School in Elmhurst, Ill., comes to Elon after helping her team to an undefeated season, a conference championship and a regional championship. She was named to the DuPage County all-area team and is a member of the West Suburban-Silver all-conference team. Deatsch is an all-academic team member and was selected to the Benet Invite all-tournament team, while also being selected to the Sun Times all-area third team. Deatsch is the daughter of Dale and Martha Deatsch.
Tendler on Deatsch: “Ali will compete for the libero position vacated by Kelley Blakewood. Ali has got a lot going for her. She is very quick, she anticipates well, and she plays high-level volleyball all year round. She is the most experienced of our three signees.”
Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Chattanooga volleyball coach Lisa Rhodes announced Friday that both Christina Teter and Heather Parman have signed national letters of intent to play for the Lady Mocs.
Parman, a 6-foot senior at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, will be looked upon to play outside hitter, while Teter is a 6-foot-2 inch middle blocker from Red Bank High School in Signal Mountain, Tenn.
"I see these two fitting in for us very nicely going into next season," Rhodes said. "We are losing a middle blocker after this season and we also had a player leave before this season started, so they are filling positions for us. I believe this is a great recruiting class and we are not only excited to have two great players, but two local players."
Parman and GPS are fresh off the Bruisers’ 2008 Division AA State Championship in won back on Oct. 31. In the championship game, Parman finished with a triple-double, compiling 25 kills, 22 assists, and 14 digs.
“We are excited to have Heather sign with us,” Rhodes said. “She is probably one of the strongest hitters in the area and can play all the around.”
The Ooltewah, Tenn. native has also been named to first team all-city, region, and state teams for her accomplishments at GPS.
Teter and the Lady Lions also finished wrapping up its season a few weeks ago, as the team advanced to the Class AAA semifinals. At Red Bank, Teter has been an all-district player the last two seasons.
"I feel like Christina has barely touched her potential," Rhodes claimed. "She is going to be an extremely strong front row player for us in the future."
UNC Greensboro
GREENSBORO, NC ? UNC Greensboro's volleyball team added Olivia Humphries to its roster during the early signing period, announced today by head coach Shawn Garus.
Humphries, a middle blocker from Charlotte, NC, has earned four varsity letters for coach Betty Berry at Myers Park High School. Berry is a former Spartan herself, as she played on the volleyball team for UNCG in the late 1970s. Humphries was named to the all-conference team after her junior and senior seasons. She was also named the conference player of the year and to the conference senior all-star team for her efforts during her senior year.
"I am excited to be adding Olivia to our program," Garus said. "She is one of the elite players in the state, and we're looking forward to her playing for the Spartans. Olivia is long, lean and moves well on the court. I think she fits really well with our returning players."
This past season, UNCG went 26-10 and finished second in the North Division of the Southern Conference. Kayren Finney and Branagan Fuller were named first-team All-SoCon, while Kaitlyn Nortz was named to the second-team. Junior Catherine Hanners also had a great season as she finished tied for fourth nationally with 0.62 aces per set.
Wofford
SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Head volleyball coach Corey Helle announced the signing of three players to National Letters of Intent on Monday afternoon to join the Terrier Volleyball program for the 2009 season. The recruiting class consist of libero Reagan Styles (San Antonio, Texas), outside hitter Rachel Woodlee (Greer, SC) and middle blocker Arden Anderson (Shelby, NC). All three have earned all region and all state accolades and are considered to be among the top players in their region.
“As a class, it addresses some needs and gives us needed depth in three positions,” Helle said. “We feel Reagan, Rachel and Arden can come here and make an impact for us as early as next season.”
Anderson, a 6’3 middle hitter, comes to Wofford via the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy in Mooresboro, N.C. The Shelby, N.C. product was the team MVP in 2007 and 2008. She was a member of the Club South 16-1 National team that finished in 9th place at the AAU nationals and 11th place at the Junior Olympics. Anderson was also a member of the 2004 All-State basketball team. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club and plans to major in pre-med. Anderson is the daughter of former NBA player Richard Anderson and Altman Anderson.
Styles, a 5’3 libero, will join the team from San Antonio, Texas where she was a four year starter on the varsity squad at The Episcopal school of Texas. She was selected to the TAPPS District 5A All-State second team her junior year and first team all-state her senior year. In 2007, she led the city of San Antonio in digs per match with 6.3 per set and in 2006 with 6.1 digs per set. Off the court, Styles boast a 4.0 GPA and is currently ranked number four in her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was awarded the Bishop Johnson Bible prize for excellence in Old and New Testament as well being a Princeton Book Prize nominee. Styles is the daughter of Greg and Jennifer Styles.
Woodlee will join the Terriers by way of Mauldin, S.C. The 6’1 outside hitter was a four year varsity starter at Mauldin high school where she picked up 2008 4A All-State honors as well as Region II 4A All-Region. Woodlee received the Martin Luther King award for excellence in athletics along with the Maverick Award for Leadership in Volleyball in 2007. She is a member of the National Honor society and an AP Scholar with Distinction. Woodlee served as a Junior Marshall in 2007 and was a Palmetto Fellows recipient in 2008. At Wofford, Woodlee plans to major in business economics. She is the daughter of Timothy and Joan Woodlee.
“I know fans of Wofford volleyball will enjoy watching this class develop and contribute over the next four years,” Helle said. “We have three super student-athletes that combine skill and athleticism with great competitiveness. Each of them will be counted on to keep moving Wofford volleyball forward.”