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Cavaliers? Recruiting Class Ranked No. 15 Nationally
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia volleyball team has landed it’s highest-ever recruiting class for the 2009 season. Head coach Lee Maes’ inaugural class of middle blockers Tobi Farrar and Jessica O’Shoney and setter Rachel Gray has been named No. 15 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com according to a release that lists the top-30 teams nationally.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome such a great incoming class to Grounds,” Maes said. “The national recognition of our staff’s inaugural recruiting class is a reflection of the wonderful collaboration of so many here at the University of Virginia. Our staff has worked diligently and relentlessly in attracting terrific talent. This group will make an immediate impact and contribution to our volleyball program. We are looking forward to their arrival this fall.”
After signing two middles in the fall to National Letters of Intent, Maes added a standout setter to the class this spring, bringing the program its first-ever national recruiting class ranking.
Farrar, a middle blocker from Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas, is the 52nd-ranked recruit, while O’Shoney is a 6-1 middle blocker from Hutto High School in Austin, Texas. She is the 27th-ranked recruit and both are among the Top 100 Senior Aces on PrepVolleyball.com.
Gray rounded out the class after committing this spring. A native of Shawnee, Kan., she was the runner-up for the 2009 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year out of St. James Academy. She was also honored as a PrepVolleyball.com All-American.
“Lee Maes welcomes three players with championship pedigrees to Charlottesville,” John Tawa stated in his PrepVolleyball.com release. “Farrar and O’Shoney both were on club teams that medaled at Nationals in 17 Open a year ago and each earned all-tournament honors.
“Farrar is a tremendous attacker off of one foot with a variety of shots and has added versatility to her game this season by mixing it up between the middle and right side.
“O’Shoney is a blue-collar middle who brings heat from anywhere along the net. Both bring much-needed size to the Cavaliers’ lineup, should start immediately and are candidates to make the ACC All-Freshmen Team.
“Gray is a PrepVolleyball.com All-American who led St. James Academy to the 2008 Kansas 4A state championship and national No. 4 final ranking. She is superb at feeding the middle. Gray to Farrar and O’Shoney may very well be the calling card that defines Virginia volleyball in the years to come.”
The Cavaliers’ class of 2013 is the top-ranked group in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Duke’s incoming class ranked right behind Virginia, at No. 16, while North Carolina checked in at No. 21.