Fredericksburg, VA - University of Mary Washington volleyball head coach Matt Troy announced this week the seven recruits that will join the class of 2018. This class will join the current Eagles squad that in 2013 garnered a record of 17-12 (6-2) and found themselves two points away from reaching the CAC Championship.
Coach Troy: “I’m very excited to add these seven extraordinary young ladies to the Eagle family. Each player brings with them special attributes that we feel over the coming years will help us reach our program goals on and off the court. The players, Coach Woodard, and I are eager to work with them this fall and I look forward to watching them grow as student-athletes as well as young women over the next four years.”
Lexi Brown – 6’0” – MH/RS – Charlottesville, VA – Albemarle
First Team All-District … First Team All-Conference … Leading Blocker 2012 – 2013 … 4th All-Time In Total Blocks …Team Captain 2013 … Honor Roll 2013
Why UMW…Lexi Brown: “: The UMW volleyball team has a family chemistry that is really warm and welcoming. UMW is academically challenging which is what attracted me to the school. The campus had the perfect size for what I was looking for and it is great for biking!”
Lexy Donaldson – 5’11” – OH – Great Falls, VA – Langley
Second Team All-District … Helped Langley capture the Virginia State Championship 6A and District Championship
Why UMW…Lexy Donaldson: “The first time I met all of the girls I knew that it would be a team I would want to be a part of for my college career. Coach Troy! The Anderson Center is amazing! I chose UMW academically because of their strong biology department and the individualized one on one time due to the high teacher to student ratio. The campus was exactly what I was looking for: it was beautiful and compact. The location of the campus was another reason I chose UMW; it is only an hour from where I live which means my family would be able to support me at my games. The Fredericksburg area is also a wonderful place to be a part of; the town is the perfect size for me.”
Dani Fiore – 5’11” – RS – Virginia Beach, VA – Ocean Lakes
2013 First Team All-Conference… All-Tidewater Second Team 2013 … Second Team All-Beach District 2012… Offensive MVP 2013 … Captain2013 … ACPL Championship All-tournament Team … ACPL champions … Capitol Hill Classic 18 Open Champions … Spanish honor society 2011-2014 … National Honor Society 2013-2014), recipient of school academic achievement award (2010-2012), Presidents Education Award (2012), Academic Letter (2011-2012)
Why UMW…Dani Fiore: “As soon as I met the coaches and the team I felt like they were my family. I really loved the coaching style, and the entire atmosphere of the program. I knew there was no other place for me to play volleyball and go to school. I really enjoyed the small class size and the interactive environment of the biology classroom I had the opportunity to sit in on during my official visit. After Mary Washington I plan on going to medical school, and I believe that through my classes here I will be well prepared for my future. When I saw the UMW campus for the first time I knew this was the college for me. I love the smaller size of the school and that there are many things to do in the town. I’m truly so ecstatic that I get to call UMW my home for the next four years!”
Kyla Foss – 5’9” – OH – Virginia Beach, VA – Frank W. Cox
Honorable Mention All-District 2013 … Best Offensive Player 2013 … ACPL champions … Capitol Hill Classic 18 Open Champions … Graduating with honors
Why UMW…Kyla Foss: “I chose UMW because the coaches and the team were very genuine and outgoing when I went for my official visit and made me feel at home.” I want to major in either English or Science and they have many hands on activities in science and a wide variety of English majors. The UMW campus stole my heart when I visited for the first time and I was captivated by its beauty and had a real college feel to it.“
Jenifer Grove – 5’8” – S – Temecula, CA – Great Oak
2013 Southwest League Champions (27-2) … 2013 CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA Semi-Finalist … 2013 USA HP Youth A2 Invitational Team … Academic Letter ... AP Scholar … California Scholarship Federation Lifetime Plus Member … SPIRIT Award Recipient 2010, 2011 and 2013
Why UMW…Jenifer Grove: “I loved UMW's volleyball program because of their amazing facilities, the unique coaching techniques, and the close knit family-like environment that it has. I got the chance to play at their summer camp last summer, and playing there felt like playing at home and so second nature, it was impossible for me to say no. UMW holds amazing opportunities to receive a good education and I can play competitively in a great volleyball program. Another great part of UMW that attracted me was the location and the people. Coming all the way from California, Virginia is such an exciting new change of scenery. Plus, they have gorgeous seasons!”
Rachel Hendricks – 5’9” – OH – Ashburn, VA – Broad Run
First Team All-Loudoun … First Team All-District … First Team All-Tournament … First Team All-Conference … First Team All-Region … Second Team All-State … All-Met Honorable Mention … Team Captain… VHSL Team MVP… Helped lead Broad Run to Virginia State Final Four 5A …Honor Roll 2011 – 2014
Why UMW…Rachel Hendricks: “: I love the coaches and players and how welcomed they made me feel. I like the idea of being part of the team rebranding and what is being built within the volleyball program. I’m looking forward to majoring in business and attending a university with the academic reputation of UMW. I also look forward to meeting the Dean of Business who I hear is a big volleyball fan! The small campus with its traditional look gave me that feeling upon visiting the school that UMW was the one for me.”
Jenna Yost – 5’5” – L – Fairfax, VA – Woodson
3 Sport Captain … First Team All-Conference … Second Team All-Region … All-Patriot Conference Tournament 2013-2014 Award … Academic Letter … 2x Cavalier Athletic Award Winner … 7x Scholar Athlete Award Winner … President of the Health Occupations Students of America … National Honor’s society … Youth leader at Fairfax United Methodist Church … Awarded the University of Mary Washington Merit Scholarship …
Why UMW…Jenna Yost: “I chose to go to the University of Mary Washington because of the beautiful campus, the extremely welcoming students and the wonderful coaching staff. I also was really drawn in by the lovely Anderson Center. I'm so glad to be an Eagle and look forward to a wonderful college experience!”