Volleyball team adds two players to incoming freshman class

The Binghamton volleyball team has received a national letter of intent from two high school seniors, both of who will join the Bearcats for the 2003 season.

Ashley Meffert (Louisville, Ky.) is a 5-9 setter from Fern Creek High School. As a senior, she was named third-team all state. In addition, she was a three-time all-district and all-region selection. Five times during her career, Meffert was named to an invitational's all-tournament team, including three times alone at the Seneca Invitational. She was also named the team MVP three consecutive years. Meffert also played on the club level for ASICS KIVA 18 White.

"With a rich volleyball background of high school and club competition, Ashley is in a position to contribute right away," head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. "She currently plays with KIVA, the top club program in her region. Our starting setters from last year are gone which opens the door for Ashley to step in and be a key component to the future success of the team."

Katie Robertson (Ancaster, Ontario, Canada) is a 6-0 outside hitter who played four years with the Hamilton Seekers Volleyball Club. Her team has finished in the top five provincially the past three years. In addition, they were a medal winner at both the Canadien National Championships 2000 and the 2001 Carstar Can/Am Tournament. They were also the 2003 Silver Bracket Champions in the East Coast Early Bird Tournament. Robertson's sister currently plays volleyball for Southern Mississippi.

"Katie comes from a strong Hamilton Club team out of Canada," Kiriyama said. "She is a versatile attacker with good all-around skills. Katie has a great upside and with continued training, she'll be a major player in our offense which has lacked some depth in the past."

Meffert and Robertson join Megan Hoag (Brunswick, Ohio), a 5-11 middle blocker from Padua Franciscan High School, as the three high school seniors who sent Binghamton a national letter of intent this year.