Post by bearwatch on Nov 14, 2006 16:15:46 GMT -5
Nov. 14, 2006
WACO, Texas - The Baylor volleyball team has signed four more Texans - Ashley Byrd, Ashlie Christenson, Sarah Grace and Haley Thomas - to National Letters of Intent, head coach Jim Barnes announced Tuesday.
"This is the second full class we've brought in, and we feel it will help this program go to another level," Barnes said. "This class fills every need we have on the team, so we feel they will all be immediate impact players."
Grace is a 5-9 outside hitter/libero from Stratford High School in Houston. She is considered one of the top defensive players in the country, and was named to prepvolleyball.com's Defensive Dandies second team and ranks among the website's top 70 among 2007 recruits. This year, Grace earned All-Greater Houston honors and was named the district 19-5A most valuable player. She was also named to the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic All-Tournament Team in 2005-06 and is the valedictorian of her class.
"Sarah is a complete player, bringing outstanding ball control and defense to the court," Barnes said. "She's one of the most competitive kids I've ever seen play the game, and even though she's 5-9, she's a dynamic outside hitter as well."
Byrd is a 6-2 middle blocker for Ryan High School in Denton, where she was a two-time all-district and academic all-state selection. This season, she hit .469 with 443 kills, 298 blocks (2.53 per game) and 44 aces.
"Ashley has a huge wingspan and is a great blocker and quick attacker," Barnes said. "She should provide immediate impact as a freshman and be one of the top pure athletes in the Big 12."
Christenson is a 6-0 outside hitter from Cleburne High School in Cleburne. This year, she was named the district co-MVP, even after playing only defense after suffering an injury. As a junior, she recorded 414 kills, 123 digs, 74 blocks and 25 aces and was named to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram all-area first-team, was named the district's outstanding hitter and was the county offensive player of the year.
"Ashlie brings all the ingredients of a big-time outside hitter," Barnes said. "She's very quick-footed, has great agility, a great arm and jumps over 10 feet. She still needs more experience, but we feel she will step in at some point and be an All-Big 12 player for us."
Thomas, a 6-2 middle blocker from Jewett, will be a junior next season after transferring from Blinn College. She currently ranks fourth nationally in blocks with 1.90 per game. In high school, she was an all-state and first-team Super Cen-Tex selection.
"Haley is another tall, quick, athletic player with experience at middle blocker and right-side hitter," Barnes said. "She's a tremendous blocker and her experience at those positions will help our team after losing seniors in those spots."
The Bears will graduate four seniors this season - right-side hitter Nicole LeBlanc, middle blockers Desiree Guilliard-Young and Adeline Meira and outside hitter/defensive specialist Deja Sweeney. LeBlanc, Guilliard-Young and Sweeney were all starters.
With still a relatively young 2006 squad, Baylor returns a strong nucleus of players next season. Setter Taylor Barnes, middle blocker Anna Breyfogle and outside hitters Katie Sanders and Kelsey Smith each started in their first seasons at Baylor, while junior libero Kristen Schramek has anchored the defense the last three seasons.
Ashley Byrd
MB - 6'2"
Denton, Texas (Ryan)
Texas Advantage
Four-year letterwinner at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, for coach Cindy Williams...As a senior, was the district MVP, hitting .469 with 443 kills 298 blocks (2.53 per game) and 44 aces...As a junior, was a second-team all-district selection...Five-time Denton Chronicle player of the week...Named to the High Performance Team...Academic all-state selection...Two-time academic all-district honoree...Also lettered twice in basketball...Daughter of Caprice Byrd.
Ashlie Christenson
OH - 6'0"
Cleburne, Texas (Cleburne)
Texas Advantage
Two-year letterwinner at Cleburne High School in Cleburne, Texas, for coach Floyd Rogers...Led the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back district titles...Advanced to the regional semifinals as a senior and the regional quarterfinals as a junior...As a senior, posted 259 kills, 374 digs, 26 aces and 32 blocks, but was injured for 21 matches and did not play on the front row...Earned district co-MVP honors...As a junior, recorded 414 kills, 123 digs, 74 blocks and 25 aces en route to Texas Girls Association All-State Team honors...Also named to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram all-area first-team, was named district 8-4A's outstanding hitter and was named the county offensive player of the year...Named the MVP of the Northwest Tournament...Played club volleyball for Texas Advantage, where she helped lead her team to the 2004 American national championship and an 11th-place finish at the 2005 Open Nationals...Also earned one letter in soccer...Off the court, named to the A-B honor roll and was a member of the student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 4-H and volunteered for Whistle Stop Christmas...Daughter of John and Kim Christenson.
Sarah Grace
OH/L - 5'9"
Houston, Texas (Stratford)
Team Texas
Three-year letterwinner at Stratford High School for coach Becky Palermo...Prepvolleyball.com Top 70 recruit...Prepvolleyball.com Defensive Dandies second team...As a junior, was an all-state selection and named to lonestarvolleyball.com's all-state second team...Also named All-Greater Houston and was the district 19-5A MVP...Named to USA Volleyball Junior Olympic All-Tournament Team in 2005-06...Earned all-tournament honors as "best passer" at 2005 USA High Performance Championships.. Named MVP of the 2005 Pearland and 2006 Spring Branch Tournaments...Named to the all-tournament teams at the 2006 Kingwood Tournament and the 2005 Cy-Fair Tournament...As a sophomore, was and all-district selection and was named to the Lone Star regional team...Off the court, was the valedictorian of her class, was an academic all-district selection and a member of the National Honor Society...Daughter of Kenny and Susie Grace.
Haley Thomas
MB/RS - 6'2"
Jewett, Texas (Leon/Blinn College)
Ranks fourth nationally with 1.90 blocks per game...Was a four-year letterwinner at Leon High School...Named to the all-state team...Earned first-team Super Cen-Tex and first-team Brazos Valley honors...Selected as district MVP...Off the court, was the valedictorian of her class and a member of the National Honor Society...Daughter of Douglas "Cricket" and Brenda Thomas.
WACO, Texas - The Baylor volleyball team has signed four more Texans - Ashley Byrd, Ashlie Christenson, Sarah Grace and Haley Thomas - to National Letters of Intent, head coach Jim Barnes announced Tuesday.
"This is the second full class we've brought in, and we feel it will help this program go to another level," Barnes said. "This class fills every need we have on the team, so we feel they will all be immediate impact players."
Grace is a 5-9 outside hitter/libero from Stratford High School in Houston. She is considered one of the top defensive players in the country, and was named to prepvolleyball.com's Defensive Dandies second team and ranks among the website's top 70 among 2007 recruits. This year, Grace earned All-Greater Houston honors and was named the district 19-5A most valuable player. She was also named to the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic All-Tournament Team in 2005-06 and is the valedictorian of her class.
"Sarah is a complete player, bringing outstanding ball control and defense to the court," Barnes said. "She's one of the most competitive kids I've ever seen play the game, and even though she's 5-9, she's a dynamic outside hitter as well."
Byrd is a 6-2 middle blocker for Ryan High School in Denton, where she was a two-time all-district and academic all-state selection. This season, she hit .469 with 443 kills, 298 blocks (2.53 per game) and 44 aces.
"Ashley has a huge wingspan and is a great blocker and quick attacker," Barnes said. "She should provide immediate impact as a freshman and be one of the top pure athletes in the Big 12."
Christenson is a 6-0 outside hitter from Cleburne High School in Cleburne. This year, she was named the district co-MVP, even after playing only defense after suffering an injury. As a junior, she recorded 414 kills, 123 digs, 74 blocks and 25 aces and was named to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram all-area first-team, was named the district's outstanding hitter and was the county offensive player of the year.
"Ashlie brings all the ingredients of a big-time outside hitter," Barnes said. "She's very quick-footed, has great agility, a great arm and jumps over 10 feet. She still needs more experience, but we feel she will step in at some point and be an All-Big 12 player for us."
Thomas, a 6-2 middle blocker from Jewett, will be a junior next season after transferring from Blinn College. She currently ranks fourth nationally in blocks with 1.90 per game. In high school, she was an all-state and first-team Super Cen-Tex selection.
"Haley is another tall, quick, athletic player with experience at middle blocker and right-side hitter," Barnes said. "She's a tremendous blocker and her experience at those positions will help our team after losing seniors in those spots."
The Bears will graduate four seniors this season - right-side hitter Nicole LeBlanc, middle blockers Desiree Guilliard-Young and Adeline Meira and outside hitter/defensive specialist Deja Sweeney. LeBlanc, Guilliard-Young and Sweeney were all starters.
With still a relatively young 2006 squad, Baylor returns a strong nucleus of players next season. Setter Taylor Barnes, middle blocker Anna Breyfogle and outside hitters Katie Sanders and Kelsey Smith each started in their first seasons at Baylor, while junior libero Kristen Schramek has anchored the defense the last three seasons.
Ashley Byrd
MB - 6'2"
Denton, Texas (Ryan)
Texas Advantage
Four-year letterwinner at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, for coach Cindy Williams...As a senior, was the district MVP, hitting .469 with 443 kills 298 blocks (2.53 per game) and 44 aces...As a junior, was a second-team all-district selection...Five-time Denton Chronicle player of the week...Named to the High Performance Team...Academic all-state selection...Two-time academic all-district honoree...Also lettered twice in basketball...Daughter of Caprice Byrd.
Ashlie Christenson
OH - 6'0"
Cleburne, Texas (Cleburne)
Texas Advantage
Two-year letterwinner at Cleburne High School in Cleburne, Texas, for coach Floyd Rogers...Led the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back district titles...Advanced to the regional semifinals as a senior and the regional quarterfinals as a junior...As a senior, posted 259 kills, 374 digs, 26 aces and 32 blocks, but was injured for 21 matches and did not play on the front row...Earned district co-MVP honors...As a junior, recorded 414 kills, 123 digs, 74 blocks and 25 aces en route to Texas Girls Association All-State Team honors...Also named to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram all-area first-team, was named district 8-4A's outstanding hitter and was named the county offensive player of the year...Named the MVP of the Northwest Tournament...Played club volleyball for Texas Advantage, where she helped lead her team to the 2004 American national championship and an 11th-place finish at the 2005 Open Nationals...Also earned one letter in soccer...Off the court, named to the A-B honor roll and was a member of the student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 4-H and volunteered for Whistle Stop Christmas...Daughter of John and Kim Christenson.
Sarah Grace
OH/L - 5'9"
Houston, Texas (Stratford)
Team Texas
Three-year letterwinner at Stratford High School for coach Becky Palermo...Prepvolleyball.com Top 70 recruit...Prepvolleyball.com Defensive Dandies second team...As a junior, was an all-state selection and named to lonestarvolleyball.com's all-state second team...Also named All-Greater Houston and was the district 19-5A MVP...Named to USA Volleyball Junior Olympic All-Tournament Team in 2005-06...Earned all-tournament honors as "best passer" at 2005 USA High Performance Championships.. Named MVP of the 2005 Pearland and 2006 Spring Branch Tournaments...Named to the all-tournament teams at the 2006 Kingwood Tournament and the 2005 Cy-Fair Tournament...As a sophomore, was and all-district selection and was named to the Lone Star regional team...Off the court, was the valedictorian of her class, was an academic all-district selection and a member of the National Honor Society...Daughter of Kenny and Susie Grace.
Haley Thomas
MB/RS - 6'2"
Jewett, Texas (Leon/Blinn College)
Ranks fourth nationally with 1.90 blocks per game...Was a four-year letterwinner at Leon High School...Named to the all-state team...Earned first-team Super Cen-Tex and first-team Brazos Valley honors...Selected as district MVP...Off the court, was the valedictorian of her class and a member of the National Honor Society...Daughter of Douglas "Cricket" and Brenda Thomas.
??nuff said!!!!
