Shannon Ellis, head coach of the Seattle University volleyball team, has announced that three student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the school and join the Redhawk volleyball program beginning in the 2012-13 academic year.
"We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding women to the Seattle University volleyball program. They represent all that is good about college athletics and all that we aim for Seattle University student-athletes to be. They are good students, good athletes, and good people. I believe they will raise the athleticism of our team immediately," Ellis said. "All three are very smart players with good volleyball IQ's. They bring great passion too, which is huge. As they learn our systems and adapt to the college level, I expect them to contribute greatly to our program and lead us to success in our new home in the WAC."
Grace Boyer-Quick (Vancouver, Wash.) is a 5'10" setter and outside hitter at Columbia River High School who has earned all-league recognition in three straight seasons, including first team honors as a senior. She led her team to the state tournament in 2009 and to regional appearances in both 2010 and 2011. Boyer-Quick has played club volleyball since 2006, leading the Alpine as team captain to a top 20 performance at the national tournament in the 2008-09 season.
"Grace is a gifted athlete who has played almost every position. On her high school and club teams, she has been a top hitter and passer in addition to setting. I'm very excited to see how she develops when she is given the opportunity to focus solely on setting. From working with her at camp, talking with her coaches, and watching her play, we know that she sees the game well and she thinks about the game and her team in the right way. She has all the skills and attributes to be great and the work ethic and determination to make it happen," said Ellis.
Andrea Lowrance (Phoenix, Ariz.) is a 6'1" middle hitter at Sunnyslope High School, helping the Vikings to three straight state championships. The captain of the 2011 squad, she led the team in kills after earning all-metro, all-region, and all-state honors after her junior campaign in 2010. In club volleyball, she has played at the USVA Junior National Championships each year and helped Club Red 17 to a victory in the 17 Open Colorado Crossroads Qualifier.
"Andi is the type of person who loves to compete and loves to win, and she is willing to work hard to achieve her goals. She is a serious offensive threat in the middle who finds ways to score. She is also a good all-around volleyball player with back row skills that are rare in a middle hitter. She is used to playing on great teams and she knows how to win. I believe she will compete right away in our gym and push everyone around her to be better," said Ellis.
Emily Moss (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) is a 5'11" outside hitter at Notre Dame High School, where she led the team to a 27-3 record and the second round of the CIF playoffs this past season. A three-year team captain, she led the Mission League with 355 kills, averaging 4.7 kills per set, along with 295 digs. A four-year varsity athlete in track and field as well as volleyball, Moss qualified for the CIF preliminaries in the 400, the long jump, and as part of the 4x400 relay.
"Emily is a true six-rotation player who brings solid defense and passing skills to our team. In addition, she is a smart hitter with a fast arm, so she really brings it all. What is most special about Emily is how she draws people to her. She is charismatic, and she truly cares about the people in her life. I believe she will be a great teammate and make our team better in every way," said Ellis.
The Seattle University volleyball team will finish the 2011 season next weekend with road matches at Pacific (Nov. 25) and at Saint Mary's (Nov. 26). After playing as an independent during the reclassification period, the volleyball squad will join the Western Athletic Conference July 1, 2012.