Franklin finalizes first recruiting class
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman volleyball coach Dave Franklin put the finishing touches on his first recruiting class that features six freshman to join the 2016 group.
With eight returning letter winners from the 2015 Southeast Region Champions, Franklin replaces the six players that left with one setter, one middle blocker and four outside hitters.
"Looking at the roster right now, they are going to contribute right away especially at the outside hitter position," Franklin said. "Marnie [Streeter] and Kendall [Cooley] are going to be competing with sophomore Ally King for playing time right away at a critical position in a volleyball match. They are definitely going to provide early.
"The same thing in the middle with Alex Biro. We don't have a lot of depth at that position. Alex has come in and worked hard and I think she is going to be ready to contribute. Abbie McFarlane is going to be competing for a right side spot. Abbie McFarlane is steady Eddie because you know what you are going to get from her every single day. Unfortunately our freshman setter from California, Elena Vazquez, tore her ACL in her last club tournament so redshirt her and see what she can provide next year. Lexie Sczerba is a [defensive specialist] and having depth there will determine how we win or lose matches."
Alex Biro – Freshman – 6-0 – Middle Blocker – Ootltewah, Tenn.
High School: Named the 2015 District 5 AAA Season MVP...Picked first-team Best of Preps selection...Helped the Owls to the TSSAA State Tournament by winning the District, Region and Sectional Championships...Finished her career with 1,307 kills, 379 career blocks and a .465 attack percentage...Member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club
Personal: Daughter of Patricia and Attila...Majoring in Nursing/Pre-Med
Kendall Cooley – Freshman – 5-8 – Outside Hitter – Castle Rock, Colo.
High School: Two-time Academic All-State Selection honorable mention...As a four-year letter winner, helped the Sabercats to four regional tournaments and 2013 state tournament...Played for Colorado Juniors Club Team helping the squad win the 2015 Colorado Crossroads 17 USA Championship...Participated one year in track, in 2015, helping the 4x100 team finish 5th in the state with a new school record
Personal: Daughter of Mike and Amy...Father was a member of the track & field team at the University of Wyoming...Majoring in Nursing
Abbie McFarlane – Freshman – 5-9 – Outside Hitter – McKinney, Texas
High School: Honorable mention all-league and three-time letter winner...Academic All-State honoree as a senior....Recorded a blocking percentage of .385 while helping team to playoffs for the first time in 17 years and winning the District Title...Three-time Academic All-District...National Honor Society Member...Rotary Club Chords Reds and Silver for students with 3.5 GPA or higher
Personal: Daughter of Kellie Buchanan...Majoring in History
Lexie Sczerba – Freshman – 5-9 – Libero – Bridgeport, W.V.
High School: Made 2015 Second Team All- County for volleyball tallying 214 kills, 698 digs, 119 aces and 38 assists in her career...Holds 2 school records for 4x100 and 4x200 in track, as well as two state championships for 4x200 (2014, 2015)...Member of the Bridgeport High School 2014 WV AA State Championship team and 2015 WV AA State Runner- Up team...Made the 2014, 2015 WV All- State Track Team...Selected for the 2015 WV State Track Team for an opportunity to run in Australia...Lettered all four years in volleyball, lettered freshman year softball, and lettered sophomore and junior year in track...Graduated w/ cum laude honors, qualified for the WV Promise Scholarship...2015 West Virginia's Officials Choice Sportsmanship Team of the Year
Personal: Daughter of Daniel and Audra...Mother played volleyball and ran track at Carson-Newman...Majoring in Exercise Science
Marnie Streeter – Freshman – 5-9 – Outside Hitter – Bridgeport, W.V.
High School: Named All-State as a sophomore, junior and senior...Conference MVP as a junior and a senior...Broke school record with 1,332 total kills in her career while leading the the VISAA Division II in aces as a senior...Helped team win a conference championship during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons with a state runner-up finish as a sophomore
Personal: Daughter of Winston and Marianne...Brother, Shelby, played soccer at Randolph College...Majoring in Nursing
Elena Vazquez – Freshman – 5-8 – Setter – Riverside, Calif.
High School: Helped the Bears to league titles in 2013 and 2015...Named second-team Inland Empire League in 2015...As a senior, she recorded 35 assists and seven aces in one match...Was a scholar athlete selection as a freshman, sophomore and senior...Also lettered in basketball
Personal: Daughter of Michele and Richard...Father played baseball at California Baptist University
- CN -
