Six more 2011 graduates sign scholarships with Xavier Nuggets

Jeanay Butler

Chinedu Echebelem

Moira Kirk

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball coach Christabell Hamilton announced Tuesday the signing of six more student-athletes for the 2011 roster. All will be freshmen this season, and four are from Texas.

Signed to scholarships with the Gold Nuggets are:

• Jeanay Butler, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter from Fort Mill, S.C., and Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day School.

• Chinedu Echebelem, a 5-6 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Dallas and Duncanville High School.

• Moira Kirk, a 5-9 middle blocker from Dallas and Bishop Lynch High School.

• Kia Smith, a 5-6 setter from Humble, Texas, and Nimitz High School.

•Morgan Stallings, a 5-7 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Spring, Texas, and Klein Oak High School.

• Alexandra Rencher, a 5-6 setter from Mobile, Ala., and W.P. Davidson High School.

Alexandra Rencher

Kia Smith

Morgan Stallings

Butler, a native New Orleanian, was all-state last season and led all North Carolina players with 5.6 kills per game. She had 452 kills in 2010 and produced more than 1,000 kills, a school record, during her career. She helped Country Day finish second in Class 3A in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs in 2007 and 2008.

Echebelem was first-team all-district each of her last three years for Duncanville. She helped the Pantherettes win a District 5-5A co-championship in 2010 and the 7-5A championship in 2009.

Kirk was first-team all-state each of her final three seasons in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. She had 301 kills and 143 blocks as a senior for Bishop Lynch, which was 34-8 and finished second in the 5A state playoffs. Kirk played for First Baptist Academy from grades 9-11.

Smith was first-team all-district in 2010, team MVP and president of her senior class. Stallings did not play for her high school but played two years of club volleyball for the Houston Slam. Rencher was a three-year starting setter for Davidson and was honorable-mention all-county as a sophomore. She also played basketball and helped Davidson reach the 6A state semifinals her junior season.

Kirk, Smith and Stallings ae biology/pre-medical majors. Echebelem and Rencher are chemistry/pre-medical majors, and Butler is majoring in psychology. Xavier's first day of classes was Monday.

Seven of Xavier's 12 players this season will be freshmen. Announced in February was the signing of outside hitter Taylor Reuther of Metairie, La., and Dominican High School. The Gold Nuggets will open their season at 7 p.m. Friday at Belhaven and play their first home match at 7 p.m. Monday against Mobile at The Barn.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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