Emory head volleyball coach Jenny McDowell has announced that the following student athletes will be enrolling at Emory in the fall of 2012 and be competing for the Eagles' volleyball program.
Taylor Erwin (5-10, Defensive Specialist/Libero, Spring, TX/Woodlands College Park) – Four-year member of the highly-regarded Woodlands College Park volleyball program where she was coached by Candice Collins … As a senior, she helped her squad to a 36-5 record that included area and district championships … Woodlands College Park was ranked 16th in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com … Was chosen as her team's Co-Offensive and Defensive MVP her senior season … Captured all-district acclaim her junior and senior campaigns … Member of the GHVCA All-Star Team … Recorded 456 digs and 163 kills her final year … Served as her squad's captain her final two campaigns … As a junior, she shared team MVP accolades while being tabbed as the Defensive MVP … Plays club volleyball for Texas Pride 17 Elite where she is coached by Jeff Ham … Captured a 16's American All-America berth at JO's.
"Taylor is a fabulous all-around player with incredible ball handling skills," McDowell said. "She has competed and succeeded at the highest level of club volleyball. She possesses exceptional technique which allows her to be successful in all aspects of back row defense. Taylor also exhibits an uncanny ability to get it done at the most crucial times of the game."
Sydney Miles (6-1, Setter, Oklahoma City, OK/Heritage Hall) – Four-year member of the Heritage Hall volleyball program where she was coached by Bill Hamiter and Rachel Macelvaine … As a senior, she was named All-City Player of the Year by The Oklahoman … Small West All-State selection … Helped her prep squad to the Class 5A state finals her final two years … All-tournament honoree during state competition in 2010 and 2011 … Named as Heritage Hall's MVP in 2011 … Named to five different all-tournament teams over her final two campaigns … Closed out her career as her high school's all-time leader in assists … Plays club volleyball for Oklahoma Peak 18s and is coached by Bill Hamiter and Tanna Smith.
'Without question, Sydney is one of the premier setters in the country," McDowell stated. "She has played for an outstanding club program and brings a wealth of experience to our team. She is a great decision maker on the court and has the unique ability to make everyone around her better. She is going to do great things as an Eagle."
Ashley Crawford (5-8, Outside Hitter, Naperville, IL/Naperville North) – Played four years of volleyball at Naperville North High School where she was coached by Jennifer Urban …. Served as team captain her senior season … Helped her squad to a DuPage Valley Conference co-championship in 2011 … Honorable mention all-state performer … First team All-DuPage Valley Conference … Totaled 234 kills, 206 digs and 40 aces as a senior … Played club volleyball for the highly respected Sports Performance program where Rick Butler and Tracey Marshall serve as her coaches … Named to 2012 President's Day All-Tournament Team.
"We are so excited to have Ashley join our program," McDowell stated. She is an incredible athlete with exceptional volleyball skills. Ashley has competed at the elite level with the Sports Performance Club and will bring a great work ethic, passion and competitive edge to our team."
Nathalie Simon (5-9, Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist, Los Angeles, CA/Brentwood School) – Competed four years in the volleyball program at the Brentwood School where she was coached by Jeff Porter … Two-time team captain … As a senior, she helped her team to a 23-8 won-lost record that included a CIF Southern Section 3A championship and a berth in the Division III state playoffs … Captured First Team All-CIF Division 3A honors as a junior and senior … First Team All-Alpha League her final two campaigns … During the 2010 season she blasted away for 297 kills and registered 287 digs … Plays club volleyball for Sports Shack 18SP where Sergio Lira serves as her coach … Prior to playing for Sports Shack, she was a member of the Sunshine 17 Elite program … Also played basketball in high school.
"Nathalie brings the west coast touch to Emory," McDowell said. 'She has the ability to do everything on the court; score in the front row, pass at the highest level and score big points from the service line. Nathalie comes to us from the Brentwood School, following current player Alex Duhl and former Eagle Kelly McIntosh."