Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis welcome transfer middle hitter Kolby Meeks
02/01/2016 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki volleyball team has added a new name to its roster this spring, with the arrival of transfer Kolby Meeks. Meeks, currently a sophomore, will train and compete with the squad this spring and will make her regular season debut next fall as a junior.
"Right now the best thing with Kolby is that she has the whole spring to learn the system and to learn with the team that she's now part of," head coach Justin Ingram said. "She's a good person and she's really willing to learn, so we have high hopes."
Meeks, a 5-11 Georgia native, joins the Salukis after playing two seasons at South Alabama as an outside hitter and middle blocker. In her time there, Meeks averaged 1.48 kills and 0.41 blocks per set. She played in 21 of the Jaguars' 28 matches last season, and started in two.
Prior to attending South Alabama, Meeks had a successful high school career, helping her team to the Area 8 AAAAAA Championship title with 431 kills, 288 digs, 63 aces and 69 blocks as a senior. She earned several accolades for her accomplishments, including All-Gwinnett County and GVCA (Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association) All-Star recognition.
"I think with any younger attacker it's learning how to be efficient, so as the spring progresses I think we'll see where she falls with her attack efficiency and how she defends along the net," Ingram said. "She's a two-year college player, so she'll have two years remaining of her eligibility, so our expectation is that she picks up on things quick and is able to contribute."
With the loss of three-time First Team All-Conference player Taylor Pippen, who graduated in December, Meeks will help fill in the gaps at the middle hitter position. She is joined by Alex Rosignol, McKenzie Dorris and Anna Himan, who is returning from injury, at the middle hitter spot.
"Kolby has all the athletic ability in the world to contribute to this school, and with everybody else return and the freshmen coming in, our hopes are pretty high for this group as we move forward," Ingram said.
Meeks is the daughter of Orestes and Margaret Meeks, and is the youngest of three. Her brother, Jodie Meeks, was an All-American basketball player at Kentucky and currently plays for the Detroit Pistons. Meeks intends to study public relations.
