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Volleyball Recruits Tabbed as Ninth-Best Incoming Class for 2010
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Expectations are high for the Virginia volleyball program’s incoming recruiting class for 2010. Nationally regarded as one of the most heralded recruiting classes in the history of the program, PrepVolleyball.com has ranked Virginia as the ninth best in the nation, its highest-ever recognition.
The talented class is comprised of incoming freshmen McKenzie Adams (San Antonio, Texas), Rachel Clark (Los Angeles, Calif.), Emily Rottman (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Nika Šimenc (Zagreb, Croatia) and Mallory Woolridge (Glen Allen, Va.), in addition to a transfer from Notre Dame, sophomore Beth Wildermuth (San Clemente, Calif.).
In addition, Adams, Clark, Rottman, and Woolridge have each been named ‘Senior Aces’ by PrepVolleyball.com, recognizing them as four of the top-60 prospects in the country.
“We are thrilled and anxious to welcome this stellar class to Grounds,” head coach Lee Maes said. “Virginia is a premier destination for top scholar-athletes and we believe the addition of these players will continue the tradition of scholars and champions that our school produces. They will be the nucleus of an exciting and promising future for our volleyball program. We expect this class to make a significant impact towards achieving our goals of winning an ACC Championship and earning postseason berths.”
This marks Virginia’s first top-10 nationally ranked recruiting class. For the second consecutive year, it is also the highest ranking among ACC schools and one of only two conference schools to be listed among the top-30. Virginia also becomes only the second ACC volleyball program to be ranked in the top-10 by PrepVolleyball.com since the site began recognizing the nation’s best recruiting classes in 2003.
“My assistant coach Jill Kramer has done a tremendous job in coordinating our recruiting efforts and the national recognition of our recruiting class is again a reflection of the wonderful collaboration of so many here at the University of Virginia,” Maes said. “We tend to cite the fact that UVa is home to scholars and champions. It’s an attribution our volleyball program works to identify with in regards to our efforts in establishing and providing a package that reflects why UVa is such an attractive draw. The package is filled with academic prestige, athletic excellence, outstanding coaches, cultural diversity, social and vibrant activity, endearing history, wonderful alumni reciprocation, temperate climate, beautiful setting and genuine kinship. It’s the sum of the parts that we believe have attracted the finest student-athletes to UVa and is the impetus towards our charge to national prominence.”
A year ago, Maes’ inaugural recruiting class of Tobi Farrar, Jessica O’Shoney and Rachel Gray pulled in a national ranking of No. 15.
Virginia’s Incoming Class for 2010
McKenzie Adams, 6-3 Outside Hitter (San Antonio, Texas)
Rachel Clark, 6-0 Outside Hitter (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Emily Rottman, 5-8 Libero/Outside Hitter (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
Nika Šimenc, 6-4 Outside Hitter (Zagreb, Croatia)
Mallory Woolridge, 6-3 Middle (Glen Allen, Va.)
Beth Wildermuth, 5-9 Setter (San Clemente, Calif.)
PrepVolleyball.com’s Top-30 Recruiting Classes for 2010
1. Southern California
2. Penn State
3. Stanford
4. Tennessee
5. Texas
6. Minnesota
7. Illinois
8. Wisconsin
9. Virginia
10. Hawaii
11. California
12. Long Beach State
13. Notre Dame
14. Missouri
15. Colorado State
16. Iowa State
17. Northwestern
18. Saint Louis
19. Pepperdine
20. Louisville
21. UCLA
22. San Diego State
23. Virginia Tech
24. Ohio State
25. Oklahoma
26. Kansas
27. Louisiana State
28. Oregon
29. Marshall
30. Nebraska