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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia volleyball head coach Lee Maes announced that two recruits, Tobi Farrar and Jessica O’Shoney, have both signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Cavaliers beginning in the fall of 2009.
“Both Tobi and Jessica are two of the top middle blockers in the country,” Maes said. “They are going to be great book ends for us. We are excited about them being the start and foundation of a great recruiting trend that’s happening here at Virginia. Both are very skilled and athletic players who will add another dimension to our program with their presence and physical abilities.
“They bring a wonderful skill set based on their experiences playing in the junior ranks and we feel that they’ll both have an opportunity to immediately contribute to our team. On top of that, they are wonderful students and the type of people who will fit into the make-up and dynamic of our team very well.”
Farrar (Arlington, Texas), a middle blocker from Arlington High School, is the 52nd-ranked recruit and one of the Top 100 Senior Aces on PrepVolleyball.com. A 2008 Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star Telegram Player to Watch, Farrar led her team to the District 8-4A regional quarterfinals this season, en route to earning her second-consecutive All-Texas First-Team distinction. A two-time all-district honoree, she was also named a second-team all-area selection and the District 8-5A Blocker of the Year in 2007.
“Tobi brings great size to our program,” Maes said. “Being 6-3, she will provide a great physical presence as a blocker because of her ability to take away space above the net. Offensively she will be just as effective, as she is able to be a threat in front of the setter and behind off of one foot. She will be a very efficient and powerful hitter for us.”
O’Shoney (Austin, Texas), a 6-1 middle blocker from Hutto High School, is the 27th-ranked recruit and one of the Top 100 Senior Aces on PrepVolleyball.com. She is also a two-time district MVP and Class 3A All-State selection. The District 18-3A Newcomer of the Year in 2005, O’Shoney has also been named to the American Statesman’s All-Central Texas Team and All-Williamson County Team.
O’Shoney has also been an all-academic selection for the past three years.
“Jessica is a very dynamic and athletic player,” Maes said. “With her abilities and her physical make up, she certainly plays bigger than her size. As a blocker, she’s very agile and quick from antenna to antenna and as a hitter, she has the mobility to be able to spread the opposing block because of her speed and athleticism.”
Playing in the US Junior Olympics, O’Shoney led the Austin Juniors volleyball team to the gold medal, earning all-tournament team honors along the way. Joining O’Shoney on the all-tournament team was Farrar, who led the Texas Advantage volleyball team to a bronze medal at the same championship.
The Cavaliers are on the road for their final away matches this weekend, playing at Wake Forest on Friday and at Duke on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.