Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball signs three for 2009
11/14/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 14, 2008
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team inks three for 2009 head coach Brenda Winkeler announced Friday. The Salukis add Rachael Brown, Alysia Mayes and Laura Thole to next season's roster.
Brown is a 5-9 setter from Brownsburg, Ind. Currently a senior at Brownsburg High School, Brown helped her team to a school record 30-4 this season, posting a .435 hitting percentage and averaging 9.5 assists per set. Throughout her high school career, Brown has recorded a school record 2,825 assists, in addition to 259 kills and 709 digs. She was named all-conference 2007-08 and all-metro west selection 2006-08. As a member of Team Indiana and Circle City volleyball clubs, her teams never allowed more than one loss each season. In 2006, the 15-1 Circle City team was named Junior Olympics American Division Champions.
"Racheal is an outstanding setter who we look to make an immediate impact," said head coach Brenda Winkeler. "She is a talented athlete who is also an outstanding leader. Her work ethic and competitive nature will be the key to her running our offense."
Mayes was named Best Offensive Player as a sophomore, junior, and senior at Clifton High School in Clifton, Ill. She grabbed Athlete of the Week, First Team All-Conference (Sangamon Valley Conference), First Team All-Area, and team MVP all three years as well. As a member of Prime Time Volleyball Club, Mayes helped lead her team to nationals.
"Alysia is a very talented athlete with so much potential," Winkeler said. "She is a very powerful attacker and is very quick. As she continues to learn the game, she will be an outstanding player."
Thole, of Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill. will join the Salukis as an outside hitter. A leader in kills with 349 this season, she made the all-tournament team at the Belleville East Classic and Quincy tournament. Thole, a member of SWIC club volleyball, was named to the 2008 Junior Olympic All-Tournament team. The four-year varsity player was named St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Week this season. Her team is competing in the Final Four at state this weekend.
"Laura is a proven winner," Winkeler said. "She is a three-time all-tournament player at USUBA Nationals, and this year as a senior she led her team to the state finals. Laura is that go-to player who teams can rely on to put the ball down."
Winkeler and her staff guided the Salukis to the best season start in school history, with a 9-1 record just ten matches into the 2008 season. Southern will lose four seniors this season who have had a huge impact on the SIU volleyball program. SIU hosts Creighton tonight at 7 p.m. and Drake Saturday at 7:10, following a tribute to seniors Erika Bartruff, Kristie Berwanger, Kristy Elswick, and Brooklyn Robbins.
