April 18, 2006

COMMERCE, Texas - A&M-Commerce has added seven newcomers to play volleyball next season with the latest round of signings, head coach Gwen Weatherford said.

"This is a strong class we have coming in," added Weatherford, who is entering her fourth season as head coach of the Lions. "I'm proud of these signings. All these young ladies have the ability to make an impact next season."

Mandy Berger comes to A&M-Commerce after two seasons at North Central Texas College. The 5-9 outside hitter amassed 71 total blocks last season and recovered 93 digs for the 2005 NJCAA Region V champions.

"She's someone you never want to take off the court," Weatherford said of Berger's floor versatility. She was named a first-team all-district selection all three seasons of varsity volleyball at Yoakum High School.

The Lions have also added heighth with a pair of 6-1 middle blockers.

Tabbed a Gatorade Will to Win athlete out of Mt. Dora High School in Florida, Angie White started three years and won a district championship this past season. The 6-1 middle blocker was the team's leading blocker for two consecutive seasons. "Height is something I was excited to add, and she has the potential to be a dominating middle in the Lone Star Conference."

Liberian-born Wannie Neal was the District 9-4A MVP for North Dallas High School and has spent the past two seasons at nationally ranked Navarro College, receiving several Region XIV recognitions.

"To put it simply," Weatherford said, "she can knock the ball around." She led Navarro with 310 kills as a sophomore, adding 74 total blocks, to win a regional championship and claim first-team and all-tournament awards.

Kathryn Kuczaj, of Waxahachie, recorded 77 aces in her first season of varsity volleyball to be ranked on of the area's top servers. The ability to earn points off the serve will be a welcomed addition as well as an added point of emphasis for the Lions next season, Weatherford noted. "She is one of those players you cannot catch off guard--always focused and very consistent." At 5-11, she was a second-team all-district right-side hitter.

One of the top-ranked blockers in junior college last year was Adrienne Graves out of Lon Morris College. The 5-10 middle was sixth in the nation by season's end with 2.15 total blocks per game. At John Horn High School in Mesquite, she was named second team all-District 12-5A and the Defensive Player of the Year. "Adrienne is an outstanding presence on the floor," Weatherford praised the 5-10 transfer, "and she commands a tremendous blocking ability in the middle."

Jana Starkweather scored more than 500 kills in two seasons with Neosho County Community College in Kansas. At outside hitter, the 5-10 Pittsburg, Kan., native averaged nearly a .300 hitting percentage over two seasons, landing second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore. "You will never see Jana flinch," coach Weatherford said. "When it's tough and the game is on the line, she will always be playing at her best."

Lauren Flynn, a 5-6 libero, rounds out the newest recruits for the Lions. She was a teammate of Lion freshman Brittany Williams at Deer Park High School, which advanced to the 5A state semifinals last season. As District 23-5A Co-MVP, she was named to the Greater Houston Area First Team last season and to the all-district first team for two years in a row. One of her most important contributions will be her steady passing, coach said. "She has excellent ball control, and you will never doubt her focus. She goes 100 percent."

Weatherford said that the Lions are still actively recruiting for next season as they push for the school's third LSC championship. "We have a lot of talented players joining us, and I'm optimistic it's going to give us the winning edge."