Bryan College’s head Volleyball Coach Leo Sayles is pleased to announce the 2008 Bryan volleyball recruiting class. The 2007 Lions completed their longest run into the post-season with many achievements, and Sayles expects to build on the success of this past season.

Key signees include:

Jessica Jones, a 5’5” Defensive specialist from Indian Rocks Christian School in Largo, FL, led her team to the state quarterfinals in 2007. Jones was the captain of her squad, and was named to the St. Petersburg Times All-County Team in 2006 and 2007. She was a three-time All-Conference nominee, and was named “Co-Defensive Player of the Year” in 2007 and “Defensive Player of the Year” in 2006 for Indian Rocks. Jones,  a  4.0 student at Indian Rocks, also received a Dean’s Scholarship for her academic work.

Jessica Kaya, a 5’1” defensive specialist from Word of Life Christian Academy in Honolulu, HI. guided her team to a 3^rd place finish in the state of Hawaii in 2007 and a 2^nd place finish in 2006. Kaya maintained a 3.9 GPA as well. 

The two join Bradley Central’s Mary Duvall, who joined the Lions in January to help bolster the defense.

“I am excited about the defensive core we are bringing in this season,” commented Coach Sayles.   “With the graduation of our libero, Kathryn Rawley, we have some big shoes to fill. Rawley holds all of our single game, season, and career records in digs, serve percentage, and serve receptions and will be difficult to replace, but I believe these young ladies will help to fill the gap. Jessica Jones is an efficient passer, extremely quick, and a great communicator. Jessica Kaya is a tenacious defender,  is very strong in serve receive and reads the court very well. Any team would have been happy with either one of these players…we are blessed that both chose to play for us.”

The Lions add two MB/OPP players to the program this season. “We hope to add to the depth we lacked in the post-season, and to get ahead of our recruiting cycle. (All-American MB) Robin Renfroe will graduate after this season, and we would like to have players prepared to step in immediately,” commented Sayles. The Lions  will add 6’0” MB Lauren Traub, a local product from Soddy Daisy High School to the roster. Traub was captian for SDHS her senior year and earned All-District honors as well. Traub also plays middle and right side for the Choo Choo City Volleyball Club, coached by GPS Coach Paul Brock. “Lauren has tremendous potential. She has lateral quickness and good jumping ability. Her quickness to the outside should help us with our block. Hopefully she will develop quickly for us, allowing us to move (NCCAA All-tournament and Mid-Region First Team) MB Amber Smith to the right side to provide a bigger block and much-needed offense there.” Traub will compete for time in the middle with Asheleigh Hoxworth, a 6’0” MB from South Doyle High School in Knoxville, TN. “Asheleigh will be one of our hardest workers next season. She may not have the best leaping ability but makes up for it with her work ethic and smart play. She also will challenge our best defenders in the back row with her passing and digging ability. “

Coach Sayles fills the open setter position with Amanda Manke, a 5’5” junior transfer from Palm Beach Community College in Palm Beach, Florida. “Signing Amanda was a special treat. We tried to sign her out of high school two years ago but she was not ready to move this far away at that time. She has solid hands and great court knowledge. Her experience playing in the high-powered Florida Community College league will be a tremendous lift for us. I expect her knowledge and expertise to raise our level of play another notch.” Manke was All Southern Conference in the Florida State Community College Region in 2007, and was an All-State setter for Trinity Christian at the high school level. Sayles also signed Maryville Christian’s Laura Adams, a 5’8” setter. Adams was a Sports Quest Second Team All-American, captain, and All-tournament honoree in the TSCAA. She will fill the empty back-up position and will train to fill the position when Manke and current Lions setter Hannah Suits graduate from the program. “Laura is a good find for our college. Not only is she a solid player, she is a strong student, who received one of Bryan’s Presidential Scholarships for her efforts. We will seek to develop her and prepare her for the setting role in the future.”

Chelsie Blackburn, a 5’8” Outside hitter from Walker Valley High school rounds out the 2008 class. Blackburn was All-District 5AAA her junior and senior year, and also made the District All-Tournament team in 2006. Blackburn, also a member of the Choo Choo city volleyball club, will strive for the final varsity position and may see time on the developmental squad her first season. “Chelsie is another incredible worker who has chosen to come here over playing opportunities at other schools. She is joining a very solid hitter core, led by (NAIA Region XII First team) Jr. OH Gabrielle Claxton and (AAC All-Freshman Team) Alison Young. I did not expect to sign Chelsie, but her heart was set on Bryan and she is willing to work her way to earn a spot. Her work ethic and versatility will be an asset to us. We will have incredible depth this season, which will hopefully help us raise our standard of play another notch.”

In 2007, Grace Academy’s Sarah Lyons filled in for the injured Robin Renfoe and helped the Lions to their first AAC Conference Championship match before an injury sidelined her. The Lions continued to advance in the post-season, making it to their first Regional Championship match against UVA-Wise, but falling just shy of a chance to go to the NAIA national tournament with a 3-2 loss. The Lions, then ranked #7 in the NCCAA, received an at-large bid to the NCCAA National Tournament in St. Paul, MN, and forced a tie for 2^nd in pool play before losing a one-game playoff to determine who would advance to the Final Four. The Lions lost three starters from that team, including Opposite Leah White. Several players were activated from the Junior Varsity squad to fill injuries, but the Lions still return the core of their team in their bid for a 2008 AAC championship and a bid to the NAIA National tournament. “Falling just shy may be all the motivation we need to be better this season, but the depth of high-quality players should make each practice very competitive,” commented Coach Sayles. “If the team can gel as well as last year and set a high standard of excellence, our chances are very good .”