UAPB Lady Lions inks Barnes and Corby for 2014 season

COURTESY UAPB ATHLETICS

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  --   The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Volleyball Team adds two-more newcomers for the upcoming 2014 season in outside hitters/middle blockers Valiyah Barnes and Lauren Corby.

Barnes, was a four-year letter winner in volleyball and a three-year starter at Simeon Career Academy High School in Chicago, Ill.  Last season, she was a First Team All-Conference selection and was a Second Team All-Conference selection in 2012 as she led her team to second place finish in conference play in 2012.   In addition, Barnes played club volleyball for the Powerhouse Volleyball Club.

Corby comes to UAPB from Edwardsville High School in Dorsey, Ill, where she was a four-year letter winner and a four-year starter for EHS.  Last season, Corby led her team to a conference championship, regional championship and to a second place finish in sectional play.  During her junior season of play, Corby was named the Team's Most Valuable Player.  Also, Corby was a member of the High Performance Club Volleyball Team.

With the addition of Barnes and Corby, this brings the Lady Lions grand total to five newcomers for the upcoming season.

Kayla Dowdell, a 5-10,  outside hitter from Jonesboro, Ga., led Miami Dade College to a 21-7 overall record and an a perfect 8-0 in Southern Conference play, earning them a bid for the FCSAA State Tournament, last season.   She finished the season with 174 kills in 373 total attacks with 57 errors for a .314 hitting percentage, averaging 2.07 kills per set.  Also, she recorded 81 digs and four service aces on the season.

Jade Sanlin, a 5-8 liberio/outside hitter from Fairview Heights, Ill., was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Atlthoff Catholic High School where she reaped First Team All-South Honors and earned Belleville New Democrat 3A-4A All-Area Honorable Mentions.  As a member of the High Performance STL Club Team, Sanlin finished the season third on the team in digs with 349 and was a two-time USAV High Performance SA3 Pipeland program selectee.

Rounding out the cast of 2014 signees is Jahkishm Soto, a 5-10 outside hitter/middle blocker from Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga.   This four-year letter winner was a two-year starter for the Lady Bulldogs as she earned Second Team 8AAAAAA All-Area honors.  In addition, she led the Lady Bulldogs to a third place finish in the 8AAAAAA Regionals.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS