HAMPTON, Virginia – Hampton University volleyball coach Brandon Duvall announced a 10-player incoming class for the 2018 season on Monday."Time will tell, but this could be one of the strongest recruiting classes in my career," Duvall said. "Most of these players have either committed to the program early or have been on our radar a long time so we have been able to build a great relationship with them and their families. They have a great blue-collar work ethic and share a passion for the game, a willingness to learn, and all come from great club and high school programs with good coaches and mentors that have led them to this point."
"We have a lot of strong returners with years of experience and have shouldered the responsibility of returning Hampton Volleyball back into a championship program," Duvall added. "This recruiting class will give us the depth necessary to compete in what could be one of the most challenging years in program history with our move to the Big South Conference. We will for sure have the most competitive gym culture this program has seen in years."
The incoming class will feature eight players new to Hampton University this fall, as well as a pair that will be eligible to play after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Amani Walker
Setter
Frederick, Md.
Walker graduated from Oakdale High School where she led her team to a 2A State Championship as a senior. She served as the main setter on the team, also contributing as a hitter with 115 kills in her final two years with the squad. Walker also proved dangerous from the service line with 66 aces, including 39 as a senior. Walker was a standout member of the East Coast Elite volleyball club in Maryland.
Gabrielle Calloway
Outside Hitter
Williamsburg, Va.
Calloway continued her volleyball career locally after a standout career at Bruton High School. She was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-State each of her first three years at Bruton. Calloway suffered a stress fracture three games into her senior season, but still ended her career with a school record, 948 kills. She also led her travel squad, the Williamsburg Volleyball Club.
Isis Black
Middle Blocker
Stafford, Va.
Black graduated from North Stafford High School where she spent three years on the varsity squad. The middle blocker was a three-time all-district selection. Her senior year was one of the most productive in all of Northern Virginia as she finished with 228 kills on a .592 hitting percentage to go with 81 blocks. For her performance, she garnered First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, First Team All-Area, and First Team All-State laurels. Black was also a member of the Fredericksburg Volleyball Club where she also anchored the front line.
Jessica Pugh
Defensive Specialist/Libero
Dallas, Texas
Pugh was a standout athlete at Greenhill School where she won a pair of state championships in volleyball and another pair in track and field. The four-year varsity performer was a three-time all-region selection, receiving the Defense Award twice for the program. Pugh showcased her defensive prowess as a member of the Instinct Volleyball Club.
Brooke Irvin
Setter
Chicago, Ill.
Irvin graduated from Whitney M. Young Magnet School where she played three years of varsity volleyball. Irvin anchored her squad as the starting setter, posting 729 assists as a junior and 860 as a senior. That senior year, which included 31 aces, 184 digs, and 70 kills, saw her recognized on the AVCA Phenom List as well as all-state recognition. Irvin served as a primary setter for Chicago Elite, a volleyball club team in Illinois.
Alyah Barkley
Outside Hitter
Fuquay Varina, N.C.
Barkley was a standout performer on the varsity volleyball team three years at Fuquay Varina High School. She was named team MVP after her junior and senior seasons. Barkley served as a force on the outside for the Triangle Volleyball Club in North Carolina.
Sasha Saric
Right Side
Niksic, Montenegro
Saric joins the Hampton squad after playing previously at Northwest College, a junior college in Powell, Wyoming. The 6'4" right-side hitter came to the United States after being recognized as one of the 10 best players in Montenegro. Saric earned All-Region IX North and First Team All-Conference accolades at Northwest.
Bria King
Right Side/Outside Hitter
Noblesville, Ind.
King led her team in kills at Hamilton Southeastern High School where she was instrumental in helping her team garner a No. 1 ranking in the state of Indiana as a junior. She has served as a team captain, helping her team to a state semifinal appearance as a sophomore. King is a product of nationally recognized volleyball club, Munciana Volleyball.
Sydney Sumner
Outside Hitter
Transfer from NC Central/Pitt-Johnstown
Seaford, Va.
Another area native, Sumner returns home after transferring from NC Central where she was an outside hitter. Sumner graduated from York High School where she posted 850 kills and 800 digs in her prep career. She posted 37 kills in a match, ranking seventh all-time in Virginia High School League history. She was named First Team All-Conference 2015 once in her career as well as garnering First Team All-Bay Rivers Team accolades twice. Sumner played her travel ball as a member of Coastal Virginia Volleyball Club.
Megann Delgado
Right Side
Tranfer from Cal State Fullerton
Lakewood, Calif.
Delgado brings in a lot of experience, ranking fifth on the Cal State Fullerton team with 140 kills in her freshman year before transferring. She also added 125 digs and 35 blocks in her first collegiate campaign. Prior to her collegiate debut, she played four years of varsity volleyball at Lakewood High School where she was named a First Team All-Moore League selection twice and second team pick once. She earned league MVP and team MVP her senior season, while also earning Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team honors. Delgado played her travel ball as a member of Goldenwest Volleyball Club.
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
No comments:
Post a Comment