Virginia Volleyball Inks Fifth Recruit

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March 23, 2000

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia head volleyball coach Melissa AldrichShelton has announced the signing of Whitney Ashcraft (Yorktown,Ind./Burris) to a national letter of intent to attend the University ofVirginia and play volleyball for the Cavaliers beginning in the 2000-01academic year. Ashcraft will be joining talented recruits: Shannon Boyle(Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy), Kimberly “Paige” Davis (Austin,Texas/Westlake), Kathleen “Katie” Synan (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor),and Anne “Abby” Whittenburg (Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo) who all signed withVirginia in February.

Ashcraft is a 5-9 outside hitter and defensive specialist. She was athree-year starter at nationally-ranked Burris High School as an outsidehitter and middle back. Ashcraft has garnered Indiana All-State awards in1997 and 1999, while earning a spot on the Indiana All-Tournament team in1999. She missed the 1998 volleyball season with a knee injury. Inaddition, she was a four-year starter in basketball, earningAll-Mid-Eastern Conference honors in 1998. Ashcraft was also named to theAll-Sectional team in 1998. Ashcraft also lettered in track twice.

Ashcraft was an Honors Scholar from 1996-1999. As a volleyball player, shewas named the Mid-Eastern Conference Outstanding Student Athlete of theYear, and was also named All-Mid-Eastern Conference in 1996, 1997, and 1999.

“Whitney is an extraordinary addition to an already amazing class. Shebrings years of volleyball knowledge and experience to our team. I amconfident her ball control and desire to win will earn her a substantialrole next fall,” said Shelton.

Virginia finished the 1999 season with a 19-12 overall record and a 9-7mark in the ACC. The Cavaliers earned their second consecutive bid to theNCAA Tournament in 1999, but fell to Arizona 3-0 in the first round onDecember 2, in Austin, Texas.