Emory head volleyball coach Jenny McDowell has announced that the following student-athletes will be attending Emory in the fall of 2014 and be competing for the Eagles' program.
"We are extremely excited about our 2014 recruiting class," McDowell said. "These young women bring a wealth of experience, skill, and knowledge of the game to our program. Not only are they great students and players, but they are fantastic people that understand the special culture and tradition of Emory Volleyball. I am confident they are going to accomplish magnificent things during their four years at Emory."
Hannah Billings (S, 5-3, Shawnee, KS/Mill Valley HS) -- Enjoyed an excellent prep career at Mill Valley High School where she earned four varsity letters … Served as team captain for three seasons … Whitney Revelle was her high school coach … As a senior, she captured Second Team All-State honors as selected by the Kansas Coaches Association after helping her team to a 31-7 record and the program's second straight Class 5A state tournament appearance … Doled out 902 assists and registered 230 digs her final campaign … Earned a berth on the 2013 5A Kansas State All-Tournament Team … First Team honoree on the All-Kaw Valley League Team as a junior and senior … During her junior year, she chalked up 858 assists as MVHS finished with a won-lost mark of 32-8 that included the Jaguars' first-ever appearance in the 5A state tournament … Member of the 2012 and 2013 All-Area Team as selected by the Lawrence Journal World … Helped her prep squad to Kaw Valley League crowns her final two seasons … 2013 Kansas Honor Scholar … National Honor Society member … 2013 KVA All-Academic Team … Also played soccer while in high school … Member of the Dynasty 18-Black Volleyball Club where she is coached by Bob Billings and Whitney Revelle.
Laura Cole (RS/OH, 6-1, Montgomery, OH/Sycamore HS) – Four-year product of the Sycamore High School volleyball program … Was coached by Greg Ulland … Turned in a banner senior season that saw her capture Greater Miami Conference First Team honors … Recorded 233 kills and 55 blocks her senior season … Second Team All-District 16 selection as a senior … Cincinnati Enquirer All-Area Honorable Mention … Selected her team's MVP her final campaign … Was on the 2013 Best Players List for Southwest Ohio … As a junior, she rang up 114 terminations … Four-time pick to the academic all-conference team … Plays club volleyball for the Northern Kentucky Youth Volleyball Club where she is coached by Jill Hunt.
Madeline DeShazer (MH, 6-4, Louisburg, KS/Louisburg HS) – Four-year member of the Louisburg High School volleyball program where she played for Jessica Smith … Team captain as a junior and senior … As a senior, she helped LHS to a 40-4 record that included a runner-up finish in the Class 4A Division I State Championship … Recorded 183 total blocks, 92 of the solo variety, along with 219 kills and 49 aces her final season …2013 First Team All-State selection … Captured All-Frontier League First Team acclaim as a senior and was a second-team pick in 2012 … 2013 All-State Tournament Team selection … Played in the Greater Kansas City Volleyball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game … Three-year member of the basketball team … Plays club volleyball for PVA (16s & 17s) and Southwind Rising (18s) … Joe Vierra serves as her club coach.
Natalie Hurlock (RS, 5-10, Laguna Niguel, CA/Dana Hills HS) – Four-year member of the volleyball program at Dana Hills High School where she played for coach Bryce Baum … Three-time letterwinner … Captained her team for three seasons … Pounded out 203 kills and recorded 52 blocks her senior season in helping Dana Hills to its second consecutive league championship … Named All-South Coast League First Team in 2013 after garnering honorable mention honors the prior campaign … Her team advanced to the 2012 CIF AA Quarterfinals … Member of the Principal and Superintendent's Honor Roll every semester while in high school … Scholar Athlete all four years as a prep … Plays on the Tstreet Volleyball Club and helped that squad to a third-place finish in the Gold Division at the USA Junior National Championships … Trained under Tstreet founder and former Olympian Troy Tanner … Shawn Patchell is her club coach.
Katelyn Green (MH, 6-1, Atlanta, GA/North Springs HS) – Three-year member of the volleyball program at North Springs High School … Heather Stafford was her high school coach … Served as team co-captain her senior year … Earned a berth on the all-area team her senior year … Helped North Springs to a Round of 16 berth in the 7-AAAAA state tournament … Also competed on North Spring's swimming and diving team … Plays club volleyball for A5 and is coached by Marc Jones … Received all-star honors at the 2013 AAU Tournament.
Victoria Lord (OH, 5-11, Wilmette, IL/Loyola Academy) – Played on Loyola Academy's volleyball team for four years … Was coached by Mark Chang … Team co-captain as a senior … Landed all-conference kudos as a senior after helping her squad to a 27-8 record … Registered 137 kills … 22nd Century Media All-Area Team … Impact Player selection for Illinois … Plays club volleyball for Wildcat Jrs. 18 Black where she is coached by Karen Sonders.
Lara Schwieger (L/DS, 5-4, Sherman Oaks, CA/Viewpoint School) – Four-year member and three-year starter on the Viewpoint School volleyball team … Team captain her junior and senior seasons … Frank Pontello was her high school coach … Earned a berth on the All-CIF Southern Section First Team her senior season … Guided her squad to a 19-5 record that included a CIF Southern Section Division III-AA championship … Outstanding defensive player who averaged 4.56 digs per set her final year of action … Came through with a school-record 52 digs in a five-set battle against Winward … 2013 first team all-league pick … In the Southern California regional semifinals, she finished with 36 digs vs. Central Valley Christian … Named her team's Defensive MVP her senior year … Tabbed as the program's Newcomer of the Year as sophomore … Inducted into the Cum Laude Honors Society and French Honors Society … Member of the Supernova All Stars Volleyball Club where she is coached by Morgan Wijay.