Three New Ladyjacks Sign National Letters Of Intent
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 12, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Ladyjack head volleyball coach Debbie Humphreys announced on Wednesday the signing of Emily Franklin, Amber Doolittle and Sabrina Burns to National Letters of Intent to join the SFA volleyball team in 2009.
After signing three Texans last season, Humphreys and her staff looked out of state this season as only Doolittle hails from the Lone Star State and is excited about the size and athleticism that this class will bring to the Ladyjack roster.
"We (as a staff) are very excited about this signing class," Humphreys said. "This class has size and athleticism and a great work ethic that will give Ladyjack Volleyball a slightly different look from past years. We are looking to take that jump to the next level and this group has the potential to help us accomplish that goal."
Franklin is a 5-11 outside hitter from Oregon, Wis., who lettered three seasons and is a captain at Oregon High School. She was named MVP of her high school team in 2007 2008 and was a unanimous All-Badger Conference First Team selection each of those years. All of that was in addition to being named honorable mention all-state in both 2007 and 2008. She knocked home 360 kills as a junior and 383 as a senior in leading the Panthers to the Badger South Conference regional championship the last two years.
Her club scene accomplishments also stand out as she helped take the Capital Volleyball Academy to gold medals at the JVDA Zonal in Wisconsin Dells and at AAU competition in Orlando, Fla., both in the 17's division. Franklin picked up another gold medal in 2006 as well, leading the Wisconsin Power to the top spot at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis, Minn., in the 16's division.
"Emily is a tremendous athlete who has also played volleyball at a high level," Humphreys said. "We expect her to progress quickly and battle for playing time at the outside hitter position. Emily is a competitor and is also very responsible. We are excited about her joining our program."
Doolittle is a 6-2 middle blocker that was a two-sport star at Seguin High School in Arlington, earning numerous accolades in basketball as well as volleyball. She earned first team all-district honors both in 2006 and 2007 as a middle blocker and was named the district's middle blocker of the year as a sophomore.
Also a standout in basketball, Doolittle has earned all-district honors each of her first three seasons and her Seguin High School team is ranked No. 5 in Class 4A in the state's preseason rankings this season. As a junior she was named the team's MVP and was an all-state selection by Texas Basketball Magazine. In addition to honors for her on-court actions, she has also been an academic all-district selection each of her first three years as well.
"Amber is a dual-sport athlete who has spent most of her off-season playing basketball," Humphreys said. "She is a natural blocker who will become a top-notch Division I middle blocker. She will have to adjust to the speed of the game, but her ceiling is unlimited."
Burns is a 6-2 outside hitter out of McAlester, Okla., who Humphreys thinks could be a crowd favorite very quickly at SFA. She is a four-year letterwinner at McAlester High School and a starter the past three seasons. She was the only freshman on the 2005 Oklahoma state 5A runner-up before leading MHS to the 2006 state title and placing third in 2007.
She also stood out in club play, competing for the Oklahoma Peak Performance Volleyball Club of Edmond, Okla., and was part of the first Oklahoma club volleyball team to qualify in the Open Division for the USA Junior Olympic National Championships. She also helped her club team place fifth in the National Division at the 2007 USA Junior Olympic Championships.
Burns should fare well in the classroom as well when she gets to Nacogdoches as she is set to graduate as the valedictorian of her graduating class at McAlester High School.
"Sabrina is a great young lady who is all smiles," Humphreys said. "She can play any front row position, but will train mostly left and right side for us. She has a cannon for an arm and is a huge blocking presence."
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