TROY, Ala. ? The Troy University
volleyball team announced three additional signings for the upcoming 2008
season, announced by head coach Sonny
Kirkpatrick this morning. The class
is now at five incoming freshman, including the daughter of two former Troy letterwinners.
I am
really happy with the addition of these three young ladies,” Kirkpatrick said.
“They all bring a competitive, winning attitude to our program, and have been
very successful during their high school careers. Putting them with our other two incoming
freshmen, really adds depth to our roster. They can all play multiple
positions, and this gives us depth, which we haven't really had. I expect
them all to push our returners, and they could all find time this season.”
Erin Kissling, a 5-9 outside hitter from Central
York (Penn.) High School was named First Team
All-York County,
First Team All-District III and First Team All-Pennsylvania during her prep
career. She received the Shipley Award,
recognized for the highest athletics achievement in York County. Kissling also received the United States
Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award during her senior season, while being
selected to play in the District and Senior All-Star games. A team captain during her senior season,
Kissling also lettered in softball for three years and also played for the
Mizuno Yorktowne Volleyball Club.
Emily Allen joins the Trojans, from 2A power
Bayside (Ala.)
Academy, for the 2008 season. She was a
varsity letterwinner for four seasons, leading Bayside Academy
to four consecutive state championships.
Allen was also named to the Class 2A All-Tournament Team for her final
three seasons of her prep career, while being selected as team captain during
her senior season. During that senior
season, Allen recorded 322 kills, 73 blocks, 105 aces and 342 digs in leading
Bayside to the state title. She was
selected to participate in the AHSAA North/South All-Star volleyball game (July
2007), while being selected to the Mobile Press Register Super 12 second team
during junior season and first team during senior season. She was also selected to the Birmingham News
All-State First Team during senior season, after being named Honorable Mention
during junior season.
Allen is
the daughter of Joe Allen, a letterwinner in baseball, and Brenda Allen, a
letterwinner in volleyball at Troy
University.
“In
Emily's case, we're really excited to keep the Trojan tradition in her family,”
Kirkpatrick said. "Her parents, Joe and Brenda, were great players here at Troy, and I expect no less from Emily.”
Allen also
played for the Eastern Shore Volleyball Club from 2004 until 2006, before
playing for Club Bomba in 2007-08. She
help Club Bomba qualify for Nationals in Dallas,
Texas in June 2008.
The final
signee of the class for 2008 is Kassondra Horan from Webster, Texas.
Horan was named Academic All-State and Second Team All-District during
her senior season. She was also named
Honorable Mention All-District during her junior season.
The
addition of these three student-athletes brings the total number of new
additions to five for Kirkpatrick and the Trojans, who open the season at the
Mississippi State Tournament.
