University of Houston Athletics
Volleyball Inks Five in Early Signing Period
11/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2002
CHICAGO -
University of Houston head volleyball coach Bill Walton announced the early signing of five high school athletes to a National Letter of Intent on Thursday.
The 2003 early signees are middle blockers Mary Cates (Cypress-Cy-Springs) and Becca Sartori (Houston-Stratford), outside hitters Kelly McAnelly (Houston-Langham Creek) and Lauren Rhodes (Houston-Cypress Falls), and setter Lauren Grover (Scottsdale, Arizona-Horizon).
"We are excited about this group of incoming freshmen," Walton said. "These are some of the top high players in Houston and we expect them to make a huge impact in the Cougar volleyball program."
Cy-Springs standout Mary Cates averaged 3.71 kills and 1.93 blocks per game in 2002 and led her team to a 29-10 record. The 6-0 middle blocker, who also excels in basketball at Cy-Springs, has received all-district, team MVP and Pearland all-tournament honors.
At 6-1, Becca Sartori is the tallest of Houston's signees. The middle blocker has been named to all-district and all-tournament teams and made the Chronicle's 2002 Preseason "Players to Watch" list as a member of the Stratford squad. Sartori has also been competitive with the Texas Tornadoes Volleyball Club since 1998.
Houston native and 2002 Langham Creek homecoming queen Kelly McAnelly has earned all-tournament, all-district and all-state honors in her high school career. The 5-11 left side hitter is a four-time Chronicle All-Houston area nominee and has competed in Junior Olympic levels as a member of the Texas Tornadoes club.
Cypress Falls standout Lauren Rhodes led her team to a 29-11 record and co-district championship, garnering all-district and All-Greater Houston First Team honors in 2002. The 5-8 outside hitter averaged 5.5 kills per game this year, including a career-high 28-kill match performance.
Grover, a 5-11 setter born in Beaumont, Texas, will join the Houston squad after competing at Horizon High School in Scottsdale and with the nationally-recognized Arizona Juniors Volleyball Club. She has earned all-region honors and was also recruited by Ohio State, Arizona State, DePaul, Miami and LSU.
The Houston volleyball program, which is 17-11 going into the Conference USA Tournament Friday, will be entering its 30th season of competition in 2003.
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