USC's 2007 class

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[ftp]http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/110806aaa.html[/ftp]

Women's Volleyball Signs Four Players For 2007 Season

Mick Haley and staff add size and versatility with recent recruiting class.

Nov. 8, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- Four top high school women's volleyball players -- 6-3 middle blocker Zoe Garrett (Laguna Beach/Laguna Beach HS), 6-2 outside hitter Kimmee Roleder (Pasadena/Pasadena HS), 5-10 outside hitter/libero Geena Urango (Los Alamitos/Los Alamitos HS) and 6-4 middle blocker Lauren Williams (Houston, Texas/Stratford HS) -- have signed national letters-of-intent to play for USC in 2007, head coach Mick Haley announced today.

"This gives us a great set of players to back us up and provide depth for the 2007 season," said Haley. "I think each one of these players can challenge for playing time immediately. We now add a quality left side hitter, two solid middle/right side players who can fill the blocking and attacking spots and a wonderful playmaker."

Garrett competed with the U.S. National Team in September at the TV Azteca Cup in Mexico and also played for the U.S. Junior National Team that finished first during the 2006 NORCECA Tournament qualifier in Monterrey, Mexico. This year, her club team (18 Mizuno Long Beach) placed second in the 18 Open Division at the Junior Olympics in Atlanta.

As a 2005 junior, she earned all-league first team honors and led Laguna Beach High to the league championship. She also was a member of the 2005 U.S. Youth National A2 Team.

"Zoe continues to improve and excite everyone with her dedication and hard work," said Haley.

Roleder earned tri-most valuable player honors last season at Pasadena (Calif.) High of the Pacific League and was a first team all-league selection in her freshman and sophomore seasons. She earned most valuable player honors for the 2006 Gladstone and Gabrielino Tournaments and is currently the team captain at Pasadena, as well as with her club team (Point West Mizuno VBC).

"Kimmie probably has the greatest upside to be one of the top left-side hitters in the history of our program," said Haley. "She has a classic arm swing, great feet and a tremendous desire to be the best in the nation."

Urango was a teammate of Garrett on the 2006 U.S. Junior National Team and member of the 2005 U.S. Youth National Team. As part of two CIF championship squads at Los Alamitos (Calif.) High, she earned All-CIF Tournament and All-CIF first team honors. She plays club volleyball for TCA and was a teammate of current USC freshman setter Taylor Carico when the team won the 18 Open Division at the 2006 Junior Olympics.

"Geena continues to be one of the most popular high school and club players in Southern California because of her immense intensity and spirit," said Haley. "She will come in with the opportunity to play on the left side and challenge for the libero position."

Williams was a member of the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Youth National Team. Last season, she earned all-state honorable mention recognition as well as All-Greater Houston second team and all-district first team honors. This season, she has 318 kills (3.2 kpg) and 129 blocks (1.3 bpg). She plays club volleyball for the Texas Tornados.

"Lauren has a world of talent and upside that we feel as a coaching staff has not even been close to being touched as of yet," said Haley. "She can provide immediate help with us in terms of scoring points as well as net defense."

USC, which has won six national championships in its history, is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation with a 21-3 overall record and 10-3 mark in the Pac-10 Conference.

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It will be an exciting 2007 season with these freshmen providing depths at the various hitting positions. They are coming in with great credentials similar to Ross's and Burdine's freshmen classes, and hopefully will contribute to making USC very competitive and challenging for the Pac10 and NCAA titles again.

[GatorVball]

A very good class for the Trojans. Don't know much about Roleder, but the other 3 are extremely talented.

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Someone posted the Top 10 Senior Aces, and Roleder is listed there, above Garrett (see below, originally posted by CalHornFan [ftp]http://volleytalk.proboards88.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1162538628[/ftp]).

PrepVolleyball.com 2007 Senior Aces

1. Alix Klineman, 6-5 OH -- Uncommitted
2. Juliann Faucette, 6-2 OH -- Texas
3. Jennifer Doris, 6-5 MB -- Texas
4. Lauren Gibbemeyer, 6-2 MB -- Minnesota
5. Brook Dieter, 6-1 OH -- Minnesota
6. Kimmie Roleder, 6-2 OH -- USC
7. Arielle Wilson, 6-3 MB -- Penn State
8. Zoe Garrett, 6-2 MB -- USC
9. Ali Troost, 6-1 RS -- San Diego
10. Katie Mills, 6-3 MB -- UCLA


Also, I just checked out Point West Mizuno Club's website, and the 18s Head Coach and Assistant Director is none other than Rob Machan.

Stacy Venski is coaching the 15s team.

[SakiBomb25]

I've heard good things about Roleder - I think she might be the sleeper in the class, though she was ranked No. 6 in prepvolleyball.com's Senior Aces. But I think when all is said and done, she'll be the crown jewel of the Trojan's class.

[roofed!]

The only potential problem is that the lack of depth at the setting position. After 2-3 years of a surplus of setters, only Carico is the scholie setter. Kendall Bateman will only be coming into the team in 2008. I guess Chelsea Wilson (walk-on) will be the back-up setter (currently designated as DS/S) and I hope that Carico will be healthy all through 2007!

Also, given there are 3 seniors (Dillon, Freeburg and Seilhamer), I wonder where the 4th scholie will come from?

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Haley tends to recruit scholar-athletes and many of his players are actually on academic scholarships which gives him more choices for who will receive athletic scholies.