After completing his first year as head volleyball coach at John Brown University, Ken Carver announced his first recruiting class last week, which includes seven signees from five different states who have signed letters of intent to join the 2015-16 squad.
The signing class includes Brittany Ayers (Lamar, Mo.), Elizabeth Bjornsen (Fredericksburg, Va.), Karis Buff (Tulsa, Okla.), Bethany Maddox (Springdale, Ark.), Bayli Regan (Springfield, Mo.), Bailey Sager (Platte City, Mo.) and Kennedy Shelstead (Lewisville, Texas). With the exception of Buff, a transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, the other six players signed will enter their freshman campaigns.
"I am very excited to welcome our seven new players who comprise the 2015 recruiting class," Carver said. "Being able to land such a large recruiting class in my first go-round as the head coach of our program speaks very well to the positive momentum we were able to establish during this first year of my tenure as the head coach. As a whole, this group will definitely help out with our overall depth at each position and continue to elevate the caliber of student-athlete who is a part of our program.
"Beyond the athleticism and volleyball skills each of these young ladies possess, I am equally pleased with the character, maturity and drive I have seen from each of them throughout the recruiting process. I foresee these new players immediately meshing and gelling with our current players. Speaking of our returning players, I want to thank all of them for everything they did to help assist me in bringing in this recruiting class. All of them did a fantastic job of making each recruit feel welcomed and wanted as a future member of our team. With the continued hard work and dedication of our returning players during the off-season training program, coupled with this great group of incoming new players, I feel we have a really good opportunity to do something special this upcoming season. I will be looking forward to August when we will have our entire team together during our preseason training camp and seeing just how good we can be."
The 2014 team finished the regular season 22-10 and boasted a 10-6 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play. Earning the fourth seed in the SAC tournament, JBU fell in the conference tournament quarterfinals to fifth-seeded Texas Wesleyan to complete the season. The seven incoming student-athletes will replace five Golden Eagles that were lost to graduation. John Brown opens the 2015 season against Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) on Aug. 21.
Sports on 06/07/2015