George Washington University Athletics
Volleyball Signs Two Recruits for 2007
12/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 3, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - George Washington University volleyball coach Jojit Coronel announced that high school teammates Alyssa Valentine and MacKenzie Knox have signed National Letters-of-Intent to play for the Colonials beginning with the 2008 season.
The duo led the Edison High School Chargers into the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Championships and the Total Complete Athlete club team to a fifth-place finish in the 2007 Junior Olympic 17 Open Championships.
A 5-foot-10 setter from Santa Ana, CA, Valentine was also selected to play on the Southern California Volleyball Association High Performance youth team this past summer, and directed them to a third- place finish in the HP Youth Championship division.
"Alyssa began her volleyball career as a hitter but has been setting for about four years with some of the best setter coaches in the country," said Coronel. "Not only can she dish the ball with accuracy, but she is an exceptional blocker, defender and competitor. I feel she can make a quick transition into our system, and be a solid quarterback for our team. Recruiting for a 2008 setter position was our first priority and we were lucky enough to get our first choice."
A second-team All-Sunset League selection in 2006 and a four-year scholar-athlete, Knox was named Edison's Offensive Player of the Year and was named team captain as a senior. In her final season with the Chargers, the 6-2 middle blocker led her team with 167 kills and 45 blocks.
"MacKenzie is someone we watched at JO's this summer and knew right away we should recruit her," said Coronel. "She is a very offensive middle that can hit anywhere along the net with control and power. Her experience playing for a nationally ranked club team has really matured her game and I expect her to be ready as a freshman for the speed of play in college."
"We feel fortunate to have both Alyssa and MacKenzie join our team in 2008," said Coronel. "They are a fun pair to watch and I'm excited about their future as Colonials."
GW concluded the 2007 season with a 13-17 overall record, 5-8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference and qualified for the A-10 championship tournament for the first time in three years.
GW Volleyball signees for 2008:
Alyssa Valentine, 5-10, S, Santa Ana, CA/Edison High School
MacKenzie Knox, 6-2, MB, Huntington Beach, CA/Edison High School
