George Washington University Athletics
Volleyball Signs Three Recruits for 2006
11/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 29, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC -- The George Washington University volleyball program has announced that three recruits have signed national letters-of-intent to attend the University this fall, GW head coach Jojit Coronel has announced. The class includes players from Minnesota, Ohio and Texas and fills needs at the setter and middle blocker positions.
Madelyn Bagby (Houston, TX/Clear Lake H.S.) is a 6-foot-1 setter from Houston who is an outstanding student. She has earned numerous awards including the Superintendent Scholar Award three straight years for receiving 85 percent or higher in Advanced courses. She is a National Honor Society member and has competed in the Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships for the past six years. She was an All-Tournament Team selection at the 2004 Junior Olympics 17 American Division. She also is a three-time All-District First Team selection from 2003-05 and was named "Senior Ace" by prepvolleyball.com. She also competes for the Texas Tornados volleyball club. "Madelyn immediately provides us with better offensive and defensive security," Coronel said. "Her size at the net will play huge dividends as we continue to become a much better blocking team. Moreover, I am amazed at her athleticism on defense. For a tall player, she gets down really low and has tremendous range and leg strength. Offensively, her height and reach will allow her to play `above the net' and make us a more potent offense."
Katie Butz (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Davidson H.S.) is a 6-1 middle blocker and member of her high school National Honor Society and French National Honor Society. As a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School, she was named the Buckeye Division Player of the Year and is first team All-District and first team All-Conference. She also was named All-Ohio Honorable Mention and team MVP after leading the team in kills and blocks. She also lettered four years and captained her lacrosse team. "Katie will be in the thick of things at either the middle or right side position," Coronel said. "Although she plays middle in high school, we've seen her play outstanding on the right side for her club team. I think she could be a dominant blocker on the right side and very versatile because of her middle hitting background. She is similar to graduating senior Shannon Parks who was converted to the right side after several years as a middle. I look forward to watching Katie grow at that position and become a dominant defender and attacker for us in the future."
Abby Syverson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest H.S.) is a 6-1 middle blocker who plays for nationally competitive Northern Lights Volleyball Club and is a member of the National Honor Society. Syverson is a four-year All-Conference performer and was named team MVP three straight years. She also captained her high school team as a junior and senior. "Abby comes in with tons of experience," Coronel added. "We've watched her progress as a middle attacker and are very pleased and excited to have her aboard. She will immediately battle for playing time with the graduation of Abby Hatter. Abby works extremely hard and goes after it on every play. More importantly, she has tremendous ball control for her position and is an intelligent attacker."
GW Volleyball signees for 2006:
Madelyn Bagby, 6-1, S (Houston, TX/Clear Lake H.S.)
Katie Butz, 6-1, MB (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Davidson H.S.)
Abby Syverson, 6-1, MB (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest H.S.)
