Post by bearwatch on Feb 17, 2007 15:41:27 GMT -5
Former Bears Sign Professional Volleyball Contracts
LeBlanc, Odion continue careers in Europe
Stella Odion helped lead her team to the Final Cup in the Croatian First League.
Feb. 16, 2007
Waco, Texas - Former Baylor volleyball standouts Nicole LeBlanc and Stella Odion have signed professional contracts to continue their playing careers with European clubs. Leblanc recently signed to play in Austria, while Odion is beginning the second half of her first season in Croatia.
"Everyone here at Baylor is very happy and proud of Nicole and Stella" said head coach Jim Barnes. "They had very good careers as Bears and with hard work have developed into professional players."
LeBlanc, a 2006 senior, has signed to play with Kader 06/07 in the Budesliga Damen, the top volleyball league in Austria, located in Feldkirch, Austria. LeBlanc started all 130 matches of her career, and became just the 11th player in Baylor volleyball history to record 1,000 career kills. She finished her career ranked sixth all-time with 1,410 kills. She finished her career with 1,127 digs, becoming just the sixth player in school history to record 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs.
In 2006, LeBlanc led the Bears with 383 kills and was second on the team with 352 digs. She recorded double-digit kills on 23 occasions in 2006, and topped the 20-kill plateau two times. LeBlanc also recorded 17 double-doubles, during the 2006 season, bringing her career total to 36 career double-doubles.
Odion, a senior during the 2005 season, plays with OK Kastela DC in the Croatian First League. Her team, which finished in eighth and ninth place the previous two seasons, reached the Final Cup after the first half of the season, placing third overall.
During the 2005 season, Odion led Baylor with a .304 hitting percentage, and was second on the team with 364 kills. She also led the team with 131 total blocks (15 solo blocks). Her senior season, Odion recorded double-digit kills on 22 different occasions, reaching the 20-kill mark in her final match. She recorded a hitting percentage of .343 or better 14 different times, with a season-high mark of .579 (13-2-19) at Texas A&M.
Barnes notes that the volleyball program will continue to grow as more players sign professional contracts. "Some of the current players have the same aspirations, so this certainly motivates them" said Barnes. "We're proud to have that type of talent on our team and to develop them as players and people."
LeBlanc, Odion continue careers in Europe
Stella Odion helped lead her team to the Final Cup in the Croatian First League.
Feb. 16, 2007
Waco, Texas - Former Baylor volleyball standouts Nicole LeBlanc and Stella Odion have signed professional contracts to continue their playing careers with European clubs. Leblanc recently signed to play in Austria, while Odion is beginning the second half of her first season in Croatia.
"Everyone here at Baylor is very happy and proud of Nicole and Stella" said head coach Jim Barnes. "They had very good careers as Bears and with hard work have developed into professional players."
LeBlanc, a 2006 senior, has signed to play with Kader 06/07 in the Budesliga Damen, the top volleyball league in Austria, located in Feldkirch, Austria. LeBlanc started all 130 matches of her career, and became just the 11th player in Baylor volleyball history to record 1,000 career kills. She finished her career ranked sixth all-time with 1,410 kills. She finished her career with 1,127 digs, becoming just the sixth player in school history to record 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs.
In 2006, LeBlanc led the Bears with 383 kills and was second on the team with 352 digs. She recorded double-digit kills on 23 occasions in 2006, and topped the 20-kill plateau two times. LeBlanc also recorded 17 double-doubles, during the 2006 season, bringing her career total to 36 career double-doubles.
Odion, a senior during the 2005 season, plays with OK Kastela DC in the Croatian First League. Her team, which finished in eighth and ninth place the previous two seasons, reached the Final Cup after the first half of the season, placing third overall.
During the 2005 season, Odion led Baylor with a .304 hitting percentage, and was second on the team with 364 kills. She also led the team with 131 total blocks (15 solo blocks). Her senior season, Odion recorded double-digit kills on 22 different occasions, reaching the 20-kill mark in her final match. She recorded a hitting percentage of .343 or better 14 different times, with a season-high mark of .579 (13-2-19) at Texas A&M.
Barnes notes that the volleyball program will continue to grow as more players sign professional contracts. "Some of the current players have the same aspirations, so this certainly motivates them" said Barnes. "We're proud to have that type of talent on our team and to develop them as players and people."
