CCU

Volleyball Signs Brown and Russell to National Letters-of-Intent

       

Volleyball Signs Brown and Russell to National Letters-of-Intent

CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina University volleyball program have announced the signings of Carly Brown (Kenosha, Wis./Tremper) and Amanda Russell (Liberty, Ind./Union County) to National Letters-of-Intent, head coach Kristen Bauer announced. The duo join Megan Bickford (Olathe, Kan./South) and Chelsy Kimes (Munster, Ind./Munster) in Coastal’s recruiting class for the 2007-08 academic year.

Brown, a 6-0 middle blocker, set the single-sesaon and career records in hitting percentage while lettering for three seasons at Tremper High School in Kenosha, Wis. She was selected as the Most Valuable Offensive Player for the Trojans her senior season and was on the Southeast Conference All-South Division Team in 2006. Brown helped the Trojans to a 29-5 reocrd in 2006, the second best overall season record in school history. During her junior season, she led Tremper in kills and blocks and was again named the Most Valuble Offensive Player. Brown played three years of club volleyball for the Wisconsin Juniors and one year for the Kenosha Power.

"Carly has very good blocking instincts and touches a lot of balls above the net," Bauer said. "Her foot speed and mobility should make for a smooth transition into college volleyball."

Russell, a 5-10 outside hitter, was a three-time First Team All-State performer at Union County High School in Liberty, Ind. She helped the Patriots to a Tri-Eastern Athletic Conference championship all four years and three Sectional championships while being named an All-Conference performer for four years. She was named the All-Area Most Valuable Player three times by the Richmond Paladium Item. Russell played club volleyball for Team Z in 2005-06, helping the team to a 10th-place national finish. She also played for the Cincy Classics, who finished fifth at nationals in 2004-05. Russell was in the National Honor Society at Union County and was an Honor Roll student.

"Amanda is a solid athlete who intelligently mixes up her shots as a hitter," Bauer commented. "She has been playing club volleyball at a very high level and knows what is necessary to be a winner."

Coastal returns three starters and eight letterwinners to the 2007 squad. Last year’s team advanced to the semifinals of the Big South Conference Tournament, upsetting third-seeded Liberty on the road and taking second-seeded UNC Asheville to five games.