Women's Volleyball
UTA coach Diane Seymour reloads for 2008 |
VOLLEYBALL SIGNS FIVE ATHLETES
Nov. 16, 2007
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington volleyball coach Diane Seymour has announced the signing of five student-athletes to national letter-of-intent.
The five freshmen-to-be will join the Mavericks for the 2008 season.
UTA loses five seniors from this season's squad, which competes beginning Nov. 16 at the Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament. Seymour said the loss will hurt UTA's experience for next season. But she points out that the Mavericks coaching staff was able to land a quality recruiting class this year because battles for playing time and spots in the starting lineup will be wide open at every position.
"I'm very excited about this class because we got players with size and athleticism - three players taller than six feet," Seymour said. "And the two players we got who aren't six-feet tall have an unbelievable amount of toughness and fierce competitive nature. They are kids who do anything they can to win a match. You can't predict the future, but I think we have a class that can really elevate this program."
One of the highest priorities in the incoming recruiting class, Seymour said, was to land Galveston-area player Tara Frantz from Santa Fe High School. A 6-1 outside hitter, Frantz has been selected to Galveston Daily News All-County team during her sophomore and junior years. Upon her arrival on campus next fall, Seymour says Frantz will immediately become one of the Mavericks most athletic players.
"Tara can jump up and touch the rim - she gets up and hits the ball at a height that will make it very difficult on opposing teams," Seymour said. "There were a lot of good program looking at her. We're very excited about her future at UTA."
Also adding size to the Mavericks lineup will be 6-1 Houston Clear Lake middle blocker Anna Schepcoff. An academic and athletic standout, Schepcoff was named to the Duncanville All-Tournament team as a junior and has been a three-time All-District pick. She is currently ranked second in blocks among players in the Greater Houston area.
Her Willowbrook club team won the bronze medal in 2006 at the Junior Nationals in Minneapolis, Minn.
"Anna has good jumping ability and good size," Seymour said. "As a coaching staff, it's going to be fun to see how offensive we can make her when she gets to campus. I think she's going to be similar to (current UTA senior) Gina Kalb, who has really come into her own and became a great player for us."
The tallest member of Seymour's recruiting haul is Dallas Woodrow Wilson blocker Emily Shearin, the District 13-4A Most Valuable Player. Shearin was the district's Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, then earned All-District recognition each of the following three seasons.
"Emily is every bit of 6-2, and she's very quick for her height," Seymour said. "She'll be one of those players who will push for playing time right away. We're looking forward to seeing how quickly she picks up the speed of the college game because the potential is definitely there for her to contribute right away."
A two-time All-District selection and four-year starter, Seymour said Pearland High School outside hitter/setter Amanda Aguilera adds a fierce competitive spark as well as skill and athleticism. Aguilera is a 5-10 senior at Pearland who was named Most Valuable Player of the Spring Branch Tournament. She was the team's captain each of the past two seasons.
"She finds a way to win," Seymour said. "It's going to be fun for us to figure out what to do with her when she gets here because she is athletic enough to do a lot of different things. You need people on the team with her attitude and fire."
Alicia Shaffer, a 5-10 left-side hitter, was the leading passer and digger for Magnolia High School. Seymour says Shaffer reminds her of current UTA senior Dani Johnson, a versatile and athletic player who finished the regular season this year with 1396 digs (10th all time at UTA). She also recorded 370 kills in 2006.
UTA returns two starters from this year's squad, including freshman Bianca Sauls and sophomore Liz Curry.
"I feel good about what we have coming in and good about what we have coming back," Seymour said.
Player Ht. Pos. High School
Amanda Aguilera 5-10 OH/S Pearland HS
Tara Frantz 6-1 OH Santa Fe HS
Anna Schepcoff 6-1 MB Houston Clear Lake
Alicia Shaffer 5-10 OH Magnolia HS
Emily Shearin 6-2 MB Dallas Woodrow Wilson HS