Ladyjacks Sign Four
11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 10, 2010
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Head coach Debbie Humphreys announced the signing Wednesday of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, including a setter, two outside hitters and a middle blocker.
Paige Holland (setter, Magnolia HS), Katzy Randall (outside hitter, Magnolia HS), Jill Ivy (outside hitter, Seven Lakes HS) and Taylor Gross (outside hitter, Allen HS) all signed on Wednesday to continue their volleyball career with the Ladyjacks, and head coach Debbie Humhreys feel as though this group will bring not only talent, but a much-needed mentality to the Ladyjack roster.
"The 2011 signing class was recruited with two things in mind: to provide offense and mental toughness," Humphreys said. "When recruiting, those were the two primary things we felt would help this program get back to the top of the Southland Conference. Players can have all of the ability in the world, but if they cannot perform in pressure situations, it doesn't matter how talented they are. This group has the talent necessary to succeed and they also know how to win. They have all been involved in leading their high school and club teams to great things and I am confident they will continue to do the same at SFA."
SFA plucked away a pair of players from Magnolia High School, one of the top teams in the state, and who is still alive in the Class 4A state playoffs. A 5-10 setter, Holland is one of the top players in the state and currently ranks third in the nation according to the National Federation of High School Sports with over 4,400 career assists. One of her favorite targets throughout her career has been Randall, who was named to the all-state team in 2008 after leading the Bulldogs in kills, blocks and digs.
Holland has started all four years at MHS at setter and was a first-team all-district honoree each of those years, and has earned all-state honors multiple times. She was named the 2008 Class 4A Setter of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association while leading the Bulldogs to the state tournament as just a sophomore.
She will play her club volleyball for the Willowbrook Volleyball Club this season, but previously led the Texas Tornados to nationals in the open division in each of the past two seasons.
"Paige will give our offense an instant shot in the arm," Humphreys said. "As a setter, she has great command of the floor and has tremendous respect from her teammates. She knows how to make her hitters better and she also plays great floor defense. Not only does Paige get the job done on the court, but off the court as well. She is a strong student and has served in numerous leadership positions. We are extremely excited to have her as a member of the Ladyjack Volleyball family and I believe she will come in and compete right away for a starting position."
She was joined both on her high school and club teams by Randall, a 5-10 hitter who is ranked as one of the top 25 players in the Houston area according to the Houston Volleyball Coaches Association, and VYPE Magazine. Randall was named the team MVP in her time at MHS, as well as being a first team all-district selection.
"Katzy is a solid six-rotation player who has a big armswing," Humphreys said. "She is also a leader on her high school team that went to state as sophomores and is currently trying to make its way back there again as seniors. Katzy and Paige have played together for many years which reminds me of Kristy Rhodes and Marissa Dorcheus, who were very successful here in the late 90s and early 2000s. Katzy is another one of those players who will fight her way onto the court. Her talent level, along with her drive, make her a great addition to SFA."
Ivy is also ranked as one of the top 30 players in the Houston area by VYPE Magazine and the Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association, and is on the AVCA Under Armour all-America watch list this season. A first-team all-District 19-5A selection in 2009 for Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Ivy holds nearly every school statistical record including the most single-match kills and the most kills in a single season.
She is the third of three signees from the Texas Tornados club team that qualified for nationals in the open division in each of the past two seasons, although she will suit up for Texas Pride in the upcoming club season. Most recently helped take Seven Lakes HS into the 5A regional quarterfinals where they advanced to they advanced to this year's regional quarterfinals.
"Jill has spent most of her time as a middle blocker, but has also had some opportunities on the outside," Humphreys said. "She will have the opportunity to play outside for her club team this season and that will help prepare her for that transition in college. She is a strong girl who can hit just about any play set, and we are looking forward to having that kind of versatile player on the outside. I have no doubt that the name Jill Ivy will be one you hear a lot next season."
Gross is the first Ladyjack signee from Allen High School since JJ Jones, and she helped lead the Eagles to the 5A state playoffs in 2010. A first-team all-District 8-5A selection, Gross comes in as a middle blocker and will bring a 5-11 frame to SFA after playing her club ball for the Texas Assault.
"Taylor has a lot of natural ability and is a fierce competitor. She goes all out all of the time and she expects everyone else to do the same. I expect her to catch on to our system very quickly and fight her way onto the court."
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