July 13, 2006
Texas A&M volleyball coach Laurie Corbelli has signed the fourth best recruiting class in the nation according to Volleyball Magazine. The No. 4 ranking is the highest in program history.
?This is definitely a special group worthy of the recognition,? Corbelli said. ?They bring not only exceptional volleyball talent, but strong academic skills and a youthful energy and spirit that I am very excited about.?
Corbelli, who is entering her 14th season at the helm of the Aggies, will welcome seven newcomers when the team reports in August, including three-time PrepVolleyball.com high school All-American Mary Batis (6-0, OH, Clark High School, San Antonio, Texas), as well as National Player of the Year finalist Sarah Ammerman (6-2, OH, Chaparral High School, Parker, Colo.) and Zanny Castillo, (5-10, OH, Cedar Park High School, Cedar Park, Texas), who were named 2005 PrepVolleyball.com All-Americans.
Also included in the group is 2004 PrepVolleyball.com All-American and 2005 Mizuno/Volleyball All-American second-team selection Jenny Banse (6-0, OH, Churchill High School, San Antonio), as well as two-time Texas all-state honoree and Prepvolleyball.com ?Defensive Dandy? selection Stephanie Cadavid (5-8, DS/L, Clark High School, San Antonio). Two-time Colorado all-state honorable mention selection Cara Quayle (6-0, MB, Cherry Creek High School, Greenwood Village, Colo.) and Courtnee Rhodes (5-6, S, Cypress Falls High School, Houston), a member of LoneStarVolleyball.com?â„¢s All-Texas team, complete the heralded class.
?These players have wonderful accolades with many years committed to club volleyball,? Corbelli said. ?They have played in many championship matches already, and every one of them had top programs recruiting them.?
The seven newcomers will replenish an A&M squad that lost six players from last year?â„¢s team, which went 16-14 and advanced to the NCAA tournament for a 13th consecutive season. Four of the players lost were seniors, including two-time All-American Laura Jones, who led the nation with a school-record 6.09 kills per game in 2005. Fifth-year senior middle blocker Kendra Felder and setter Kari Kelley also completed their eligibility. Cristin Burton, who would have been a fifth-year senior in 2006, was scheduled to graduate and chose not to return, and outside hitter/defensive specialist Courtney McCrocklin, who would have been a junior, retired with a recurring back injury following the season.
?After losing six players, to get this quality of volleyball players who will legitimately play larger roles without hesitation is comforting,? Corbelli said. ?With a variety of positions coming in, this group is going to add balance, and we expect quite a few to be impact players this season. They are tenacious and know how to play hard and get after it, and they have a lot of passion for the sport.?
The No. 4 ranking surpasses the previous high No. 6 ranking received by the 1998 class, which included standouts Jenna Moscovic, Michelle Cole, Brandi Mount and A.D. Achilefu. That group helped direct A&M to its first NCAA regional final in 1999 and an all-time high No. 9 ranking in the final national poll. The group also led the Aggies to their only other NCAA regional final berth in 2001.
Penn State?â„¢s recruiting class is rated No. 1 in the nation, followed by Texas and Notre Dame. Wisconsin is listed No. 5, and Tennessee, Pepperdine, Arizona, Stanford and Nebraska round out the top 10. California, Louisville, Purdue, USC and defending NCAA champion Washington received honorable mention.
The Aggies open the season Aug. 25 against Colorado State at the Hilton Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. A&M participates at the SLU Billiken Invitational Sept. 1-2 and makes its home debut Sept. 8 against McNeese State and Loyola (Ill.).
2006 Texas A&M Recruiting Class
Name Ht. Pos. Hometown High School Club Team
Sarah Ammerman 6-2 OH Parker, Colo. Chaparral Front Range
Jenny Banse 6-0 OH San Antonio, Texas Churchill Alamo
Mary Batis 6-0 OH San Antonio, Texas Clark Alamo
Stephanie Cadavid 5-8 DS/L San Antonio, Texas Clark Alamo
Zanny Castillo 5-10 OH Cedar Park, Texas Cedar Park Austin Metro
Cara Quayle 6-0 MB Greenwood Village, Colo. Cherry Creek Front Range
Courtnee Rhodes 5-6 S Houston, Texas Cypress Falls Texas Tornados