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Allison Smith to play volleyball at Missouri Western
Griffons sign
three others
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Missouri Western University volleyball coach Tiffany Mastin signed four players to NCAA national letters of intent during the spring, including McCook High School graduate Allison Smith.
Brooke Carter from Lawrence, Kan., Eboni Lacey from Raytown, Mo., and Elise Teague from Littleton, Colo., will also join the Griffons roster for the 2008 season.
Smith, 5-foot-11 middle blocker/hitter, is a transfer from Central Community College-Columbus.
She attended Culbertson High School and McCook High School for two years.
Smith is the daughter of Bob and Marie Smith of Culbertson and her coach at CCC-Columbus was Mary Young.
"I chose MWSU because I felt very comfortable there on the visit," Smith said. "I also clicked very well with the girls on the team. When I tried out it felt like I had been playing with the girls for a long time already. I am very excited to get season started and find out what this year is going to be like.
"At MWSU, I am going to major in secondary math education and mathematics and minor in chemistry. I will also work towards a coaching endorsement as well.
While at CCC-Columbus, Smith was an All-Region performer and an Academic All-NCCAC selection for two years.
During her second season she was an All-NCCAC selection and was named to the All-Region Tournament team.
Smith was named to the National Dean's List while at Central Community College and was ranked first out of 97 students at McCook High School.
"We are very excited about the level of athleticism and strength that Allison will bring to us here at Western," Mastin said.
"Allison is a very versatile athlete and will bring some experience to our front line. Allison is not only a great player, but a great person. We look forward to having her as a Griffon."
Carter, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter from Lawrence, Kan., was a three-year letter winner at Lawrence Free State High School.
During her career she led the Sunflower League in blocks her junior and senior season.
Carter was a unanimous First Team All-League performer her senior year and was a Second Team performer her junior year.
She was awarded the Best Hitter Award and Best Blocker Award at the University of Kansas Volleyball Camp in 2006.
Carter holds the Free State High School record for most blocks in a career with 533 and was named the Lawrence Journal World All-Area Player of the Year in 2007.
Carter is has been a member of the Honor Roll for three years and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Carter plans on majoring in graphic design at Missouri Western.
Mastin said Carter's well-rounded skill set will translate to success for the Griffons.
"Her successes on and off the volleyball court at Free State High School will serve her well in her transition to Western next year," Mastin said.
"I am confident that she will make an outstanding addition to our team."
Lacey, a 6-foot middle hitter/right side hitter from Raytown, Mo. went to Raytown South High School where she lettered two years in volleyball.
Lacey was an All-Conference performer playing in the Suburban Middle 6 conference as a senior.
Lacey was also named her teams Most Improved Player as a sophomore in 2005.
Lacey had 63 blocks and 114 kills during her senior season.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the Honor Roll for four years.
Lacey is also involved with the community as she is member of the Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and a member of Invisible Children.
Lacey plans on majoring in graphic design/journalism at Missouri Western.
"We're excited to add another Missouri player to our roster next season with Eboni coming from Raytown, Mo.," said Mastin.
"Eboni will make the transition to the right side for us and will only continue to get better."
Teague, a 6-foot middle hitter is from Littleton, Colo. where she went to Chatfield Senior High School.
Teague was a varsity letterwinner all four years and helped her team win the Jeffco League as a sophomore.
She was also on a team that finished second at districts her junior season.
Teague was named a team captain and was an All-Conference performer as a senior.
She has been a member of the Honor Roll all four years in high school and plans on majoring in business.
"Elise is a very solid player whose strength is her best asset," said Mastin.
"She is a very competitive player who will do whatever it takes to work hard for her teammates.
"Elise is a tremendous athlete that should prove to be an asset to our team on the right side or at middle blocker."
The Griffons begin the 2008 volleyball season Aug. 29 at the Missouri S&T Tournament in Rolla, Mo.
Western Missouri State plays Southwest Oklahoma State, Southern Indiana, Missouri S&T and Missouri-St. Louis.
Missouri Western is an NCAA Division II member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
The school is located in St. Joseph, Mo.