California defensive specialist is sixth to sign with Xavier Nuggets

ALEXIS CLAY
photos from the signing ceremony
 (via Facebook)

NEW ORLEANS — Alexis Clay, a 5-foot-1 defensive specialist from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., is Xavier University of Louisiana's sixth women's volleyball signee for the 2012 season.

Clay signed with the Gold Nuggets on May 22.

Clay was a four-time defensive player of the year on the Palos Verdes Peninsula High School varsity, and she was second-team All-Bay League as a senior. She led the Panthers this past fall with 247 digs and averaged 3.58 digs per set.

"We are very excited to add Alexis to our volleyball family," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "She will definitely bring in a high level of play as well as a thirst for competition. So far she's our only true libero we've signed and she's excited to take on such a big role, especially coming in as a freshman."

Clay will be a communications major at Xavier.

"I was most interested in attending an HBCU," Clay said. "After researching Xavier and visiting the campus, I knew it was a place where I would fit in. And I am so looking forward to playing for Coach Hamilton. I love that she can be fun and serious at the right times."



Previously signed with the Gold Nuggets were defensive specialist Darian Harris of Gretna, La., middle blocker Claudia Haywood of Memphis, Tenn., middle blocker Jodi Hill of Prairieville, La., right-side hitter Patrice Smith of Glenn Heights, Texas, and outside hitter CeCe Williams of Houma, Louisiana.

Xavier was 23-7 in 2011, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.

2012-13 Xavier women's volleyball signees

Name Pos. Ht. Yr.* Hometown High School (College)
Alexis Clay DS 5-1 Fr. Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Palos Verdes Peninsula
Darian Harris DS 5-3½ Fr. Gretna, La. McGehee
Claudia Haywood MB 5-11 Fr. Memphis, Tenn. Cordova
Jodi Hill MB 5-9 Fr. Prairieville, La. Dutchtown
Patrice Smith RS 5-9 Fr. Glenn Heights, Texas DeSoto
CeCe Williams OH 5-6 Fr. Houma, La. Vandebilt Catholic

* classification at Xavier in 2012-13

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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