Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki volleyball signs Alex Washington
02/26/2019 | 4:34:00 | Women's Volleyball
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Ed Allen era is officially underway at Southern Illinois University. Allen, who was hired as the Salukis' ninth head volleyball coach on Dec. 6, signed his first recruit, 5-foot-11 outside hitter Alex Washington.
"We are ecstatic to have a player of Alex's caliber join our program as our first recruit," Allen said. "We are excited about the athleticism that she brings to the volleyball court and even more excited about who she is as a person."
Washington, who will be a true freshman in 2019, arrives at Southern Illinois from Bishop Gorman H.S. in Las Vegas, Nev. A two-time state champion, Washington hit at a .456 clip with 235 kills, 70 blocks and 137 digs as a senior to help the Gaels win their second state title in three seasons. In doing so, she was named to the All-Desert Region first team as well as the Nevada Preps All-State second team.
During her junior season, Washington hit .304 with 97 kills and 53 total blocks to help Bishop Gorman go 30-11 and advance to the Class 4A state title game. In 2016, Washington helped the Gaels capture their first-ever volleyball state title.Â
"Alex comes from a solid family with an athletic background that very much understands what it takes to be a winner at this level," Allen said. "As she continues to develop, we expect her to challenge to be one of the best players in the Missouri Valley Conference."
Both of Alex's parents, Sherry and Paul Washington Sr., played basketball at Middle Tennessee State, and she has two older brothers currently playing collegiate basketball. Alex's oldest brother, P.J., is a sophomore on Kentucky's basketball team while her other brother, Spencer, is a 6-foot-7 freshman on Southwestern Illinois College's basketball team.
"We are ecstatic to have a player of Alex's caliber join our program as our first recruit," Allen said. "We are excited about the athleticism that she brings to the volleyball court and even more excited about who she is as a person."
Washington, who will be a true freshman in 2019, arrives at Southern Illinois from Bishop Gorman H.S. in Las Vegas, Nev. A two-time state champion, Washington hit at a .456 clip with 235 kills, 70 blocks and 137 digs as a senior to help the Gaels win their second state title in three seasons. In doing so, she was named to the All-Desert Region first team as well as the Nevada Preps All-State second team.
During her junior season, Washington hit .304 with 97 kills and 53 total blocks to help Bishop Gorman go 30-11 and advance to the Class 4A state title game. In 2016, Washington helped the Gaels capture their first-ever volleyball state title.Â
"Alex comes from a solid family with an athletic background that very much understands what it takes to be a winner at this level," Allen said. "As she continues to develop, we expect her to challenge to be one of the best players in the Missouri Valley Conference."
Both of Alex's parents, Sherry and Paul Washington Sr., played basketball at Middle Tennessee State, and she has two older brothers currently playing collegiate basketball. Alex's oldest brother, P.J., is a sophomore on Kentucky's basketball team while her other brother, Spencer, is a 6-foot-7 freshman on Southwestern Illinois College's basketball team.
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