JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — The Carson-Newman volleyball program signed five student-athletes for the 2011 season during the early signing period, head coach Shannon Mincey announced Monday.

Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Blair Fields (Bluff City, Tenn.), Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Ashley Ferris (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) have all signed a national letter of intent to play for the Lady Eagles next season.

"We have a quality group of young ladies entering our program," C-N head coach Shannon Mincey said. "The relationship I have established with each of them and their family during the recruiting process has been a blessing to me. I am most excited about the direction they have the potential to take our program. I look to each of them as immediate contributors upon entering their freshman year."

Santarelli, a 5-10 outside hitter, will join the Lady Eagles after a successful car eer at Colorado Springs Christian High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. As a senior, she guided Colorado Springs Christian to league, district and region titles and to the semifinals of the Colorado Class 3A state tournament. She was named to the Class 3A All-State Tournament team for her efforts. During her junior year, Santarelli led Colorado Springs Christian to a sixth-straight Class 3A state title as well as league, district and region championships. Colorado Springs Christian finished the year ranked No. 8 in the Prepvolleyball.com High School rankings and No. 5 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Rankings. Santarelli earned All-State Tournament, All-State honorable mention and second team All-Area honors. She also participated in the USA High Performance Girls' Youth A3 Program. Santarelli plays club volleyball with the Colorado Juniors and was selected as a 2010 Rocky Mountain Regional All-Star Player. Her team finished 17th at the JO's-17 American. Santarelli is the daughter of Mark and Sara Santarelli.

"When I was looking for a college, I wanted more than just a place to play voll eyball," Santarelli offered. "I wanted to attend a college where I could get a strong education, play competitive volleyball and live in the South where a lot of my extended family is located. Coach Mincey once told me that she believes God places players, and after visiting and getting to know the team, I couldn't have agreed more and C-N became my next home. From the moment I stepped onto the C-N campus, everyone made me feel welcome. The coaches and team members were amazing. They gave me the sense that they are 'in it to win it'but also, that they aren't afraid to work hard and to improve every day. I can't wait to join the Eagle Pride."

Fields, a 5-6 libero, was a standout at Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, Tenn., as she played for former C-N assistant coach Julia Rafalowski. As a senior, Fields guided the Lady Patriots to a 28-17 record and a fifth place finish in the TSSAA Class 2A state playoffs. For her efforts, she was named to the Region 1-2A All-Tournament team and earned All-District, All-Conference and District Defensive Specialist of the Year honors. During her junior campaign, Fields garnered Region 1-2A All-Tournament, All-District and All-Conference accolades. Fields also played for the Northeast Tennessee Volleyball Club. Fields is the daughter of Jeff and Kim Fields.

"I like the small Christian college environment with the field/major I'm interested in (Exercise Science)," Fields said. "The opportunity to play volleyball with a Christian coach is also something I am excited about."

Harper, a 5-11 outside hitter, will come to Mossy Creek from Boyd Buchanan High School in Chattanooga, Tenn. As a senior, Harper helped lead the Buccaneers to a 41-22 record, including a district title, a second place finish in the region tournament, a sectional championship and a runner-up finish in the TSSAA Class A state tournament. She earned District MVP, All-Region and first team All-City honors. Harper received All-State, All-District and first team Best of Preps accolades for guiding Boyd Buchanan to district, region, sectional and state titles. She also played for the Choo Choo City volleyball club. Haper is the daughter of Jim and Karen Harper.

"I am so excited about playing for Carson-Newman because of the great Christian environment that I will be in while at Carson-Newman," Harper said. "I am also excited about playing at Carson-Newman because I know Coach Mincey will help me play to my full potential. I can't wait to be an Eagle."

Ferris, a 6-2 middle/right side hitter, had a stellar career at Karns High School in Knoxville, Tenn. As a senior, Ferris led the Beavers to a 59-7 record, including a district, region and sectional title and a fifth place finish in the TSSAA Class 3A state tournament. She earned District 3-3A Offensive Player of the Year, District 3-3A All-District Tournament and All-Region 2-3A Tournament honors. Ferris helped guide Karns to a 57-7 rec ord as a junior, earning All-District 3-3A, All-Region 2-3A, All-KIL and All-Prep Xtra honors. Ferris also played for the Phoenix Rising Volleyball Club. Ferris is the daughter of Roger and Julie Ferris.

"I love the atmosphere (coach and players) and I wanted to have a team that is like a family and I feel that C-N has that feeling," Ferris said. "C-N will have fun/challenging play, and that's what I wanted."

Pickett, a 5-7 setter, will join the Lady Eagles after playing at Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Tenn. As a senior, Pickett helped lead Cleveland to a 32-12 record, including a runner-up finish in the District 6-3A Tournament and a third place finish in the Region Tournament. She garnered Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps, All-District Tournament and All-District honors. During her junior campaign, Pickett earned All-District, All-District Tournament, Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps and Team MVP honors. Pickett also played on the Choo Choo City Volleyball Club. Pickett is the daughter of Roger and Cindy Pickett.

"I love how you get the feeling of one big family with the volleyball team, and the chemistry is great," Pickett said of signing with C-N.

The Lady Eagles went 20-11 this season, earning their second straight NCAA Tournament berth and advancing the Southeast Region semifinals for the second time in school history.