MEET THE TEAM
HEAD COACH LAURA NEUGEBAUER-GROFF >>
HEAD COACH // 11TH SEASON // TEXAS, 1986 // CAREER RECORD: 424-215 (.664)
A highly-respected coach and player who is legendary locally, Laura Neugebauer-Groff will begin her 11th season at the helm of UTSA’s volleyball program this fall. A member of the 17th induction class of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame in February 2011, she has tutored 36 All-Southland Conference players (14 first-teamers) and 22 all-academic honorees, including Southland StudentAthletes of the Year Meagan Daniel (2005) and Kelsey Jewasko (2011). Under her guidance, UTSA has advanced to nine consecutive conference tournaments and the program was honored with the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Team Academic Award in Spring 2008 and again two years later. Neugebauer-Groff is the program’s winningest head coach with 168 victories and she has compiled a head coaching record of 424-215 (.664) in 18 seasons. Last season, Neugebauer-Groff led the Roadrunners to their second consecutive Southland Tournament championship match and 22 victories. During the campaign, UTSA swept a program-record 12 consecutive opponents. The Roadrunners also boasted a league-high four firstteam All-Southland selections, including Schwirtlich, who was named Setter of the Year, and McKenzie Adams, who earned Newcomer of the Year laurels. Meanwhile, Jewasko, who earned a pair of Academic All-America honors, became the program’s all-time leader in digs (2,280). UTSA had a banner year in 2010, as Neugebauer-Groff led the team to 22 wins, the most during her tenure. She earned her 400th career victory in the Southland Tournament opener against McNeese State before guiding her squad to the program’s second tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. The Birds posted a 13-3 mark in league play and won the Southland’s West Division title. Jewasko earned her second Southland Libero of the Year award in the last three seasons and Kendra Rowland and Schwirtlich joined her by collecting first-team All-Southland honors. Meanwhile, Briana Mason and Whitney Walls each garnered honorable mention accolades. A trio of players received more awards after UTSA defeated regular season champion Central Arkansas in five sets in the tournament 12 | 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK
championship match. Rowland was named the event’s Most Valuable Player, while Walls and Schwirtlich made the All-Tournament Team. Neugebauer-Groff took her team to Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, where she faced her alma mater, Texas, but the Roadrunners fell to the sixth-ranked Longhorns in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Playing arguably the most difficult schedule in school annals, she led the Roadrunners to a dozen wins in 2009. Neugebauer-Groff became the winningiest coach in program history on Sept. 8 when she notched victory number 115 against Cal State Bakersfield. Three players — Walls (second team), Jewasko (honorable mention) and Rowland (honorable mention) — earned All-Southland Conference honors. UTSA posted 19 wins in 2008. Rowland and Jewasko both earned first-team All-Southland accolades and Jewasko was named the league’s Libero of the Year, the first honoree in school history. Stefanie Robbins was tabbed the conference’s Newcomer of the Year and she joined Amber Brooks as an All-Southland honorable mention selection. Neugebauer-Groff posted her 300th career victory in the 2005 season opener against Delaware and led the Roadrunners to an 18-11 record, a 10-1 mark at the Convocation Center and a berth in the Southland Tournament championship match. In 2003, she led UTSA to a remarkable turnaround, winning more than twice as many matches than the previous season en route to a 19-14 record and a 13-7 mark in league play. The young squad, which included eight freshmen, finished tied for fourth in the league standings and advanced to the semifinals of the postseason tournament. A former All-American at the University of Texas, Neugebauer-Groff captained the Longhorns to four Southwest Conference Championships from 1982-85. In 1992, she was named to the league’s All-Decade team, and in 2002, the San Antonio Express-News named her one of its mostinfluential people in women’s sports. Neugebauer-Groff was a member of the National Sports Festival squad in 1983 and also participated at the 1995 World University Games in Japan. From 1986-87, she played professionally for the West German Volleyball League before joining the Chicago Breeze a year later.
PROFILE >> HOMETOWN................... San Antonio, Texas ALMA MATER.............................Texas, 1986
YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD >> YEAR SCHOOL RECORD CONFERENCE 1993 St. Mary’s 31-8 11-3 (2nd) 1994 St. Mary’s 44-6 12-2 (2nd) 1995 St. Mary’s 40-6 13-1 (1st) 1996 St. Mary’s 33-3 15-1 (1st) 1997 St. Mary’s 28-13 10-4 (t-2nd) 1998 St. Mary’s 23-11 8-2 (2nd) 1999 St. Mary’s 22-10 Independent 2000 St. Mary’s 35-5 11-0 (1st) 2002 UTSA 8-24 6-14 (t-8th) 2003 UTSA 19-14 13-7 (t-4th) 2004 UTSA 16-16 12-8 (t-4th) 2005 UTSA 18-11 12-6 (t-3rd) 2006 UTSA 19-13 11-5 (3rd/West) 2007 UTSA 13-21 5-11 (t-4th/West) 2008 UTSA 19-12 11-5 (3rd/West) 2009 UTSA 12-19 7-9 (5th/West) 2010 UTSA 22-12 13-3 (1st/West) 2011 UTSA 22-11 14-2 (2nd/West) TOTAL 18 SEASONS 424-215 (.664) 184-83 (.689)
HIGHLIGHTS >> • Winningest coach in program history with 168 victories • Led UTSA to its second-ever NCAA Tour nament appearance after winning the 2010 Southland Conference Tournament • 2011 Southland Setter of the Year Kelsey Schwirtlich • 2011 Southland Newcomer of the Year McKenzie Adams • 2010 Southland Tournament MVP Kendra Rowland • 2008 & ‘10 Southland Libero of the Year Kelsey Jewasko • 2008 Southland Newcomer of the Year Stefanie Robbins • 2005 Southland Student-Athlete of the Year Meagan Daniel • 2003 Southland Freshman of the Year Meagan Daniel • 36 All-Southland selections, including 14 first-teamers • 22 Southland All-Academic honorees
Neugebauer-Groff has been an annual participant in the United States Volleyball Association National Tournament since 1987. Her playing days behind her, she was not done with the game and certainly was not done with winning. After brief stints at Hondo High School (1988-90) and as an assistant coach at Texas A&M (1990-92), she accepted the head coaching position locally at St. Mary’s University. It was there that she put together a sparkling 256-62 (.805) record and three national tournament appearances during her eight-year tenure. Neugebauer-Groff finished her stay with a 35-5 mark, the 2000 Heartland Conference Championship and league Coach of the Year honors for the fifth time. When she began her tenure at St. Mary’s, Neugebauer-Groff signed on as the Director of the Alamo Volleyball Club. She held that position from 1993-2006 and continues to be an active participant in developing volleyball in South Texas. Her local contributions have not gone unnoticed, as she was one of five recipients of the 2006 Robert L. Lindsay Meritorious Service Award (presented annually to USA Volleyball members who make outstanding contributions in the area of regional operations). Neugebauer-Groff also was a part of Jefferson High School’s inaugural Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Class in May 2007 and a member of the UIL’s All-Century third team in 2009. “I feel like I’ve come full circle,” Neugebauer-Groff said when she was hired in 2002. “As a former Texas player to be back in the University of Texas system and also in San Antonio is like a dream come true.” She graduated from Texas in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and received her master’s degree in educational leadership from St. Mary’s in 1996. Neugebauer-Groff and her husband, Dwayne, have two children, Jacob and Madison. 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK | 13
ASSISTANT COACH ZHENG XIANG >>
ASSISTANT COACH // FIFTH SEASON // INDIANA, 2000
Zheng Xiang will begin his fifth season as an assistant coach at UTSA this fall. Xiang was hired in August 2008 as an interim assistant coach before being promoted to a full-time assistant four months later. During Xiang’s four-year tenure, 17 players have earned All-Southland Conference accolades, including 11 firstteamers and two-time Libero of the Year Kelsey Jewasko (2008 & ‘10), 2011 Newcomer of the Year McKenzie Adams, 2011 Setter of the Year Kelsey Schwirtlich and 2010 Tournament Most Valuable Player Kendra Rowland. Meanwhile, nine student-athletes have been all-academic honorees. Last season, the Roadrunners won 22 matches and advanced to the Southland Tournament Championship Match for the second consecutive season. During the campaign, UTSA swept a program-record 12 consecutive opponents. The Roadrunners also boasted a league-high four first-team All-Southland selections, while Jewasko earned a pair of Academic All-America honors and became the program’s all-time leader in digs. In 2010, UTSA posted a 22 victories, won the Southland Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. Five players garnered all-conference laurels, including Jewasko, Rowland and Schwirtlich, who all were first-team honorees. Playing arguably the most difficult schedule in program history, UTSA won a dozen matches in 2009 and three players — Whitney Walls (second team), Jewasko (honorable
14 | 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK
mention) and Rowland (honorable mention) — earned AllSouthland accolades. Xiang helped lead the Roadrunners to a 19-12 overall record and 11-5 mark in league play in his first season. Stefanie Robbins and Jewasko were named Southland Newcomer and Libero of the Year, respectively. Meanwhile, Rowland and Jewasko were named to the conference’s first team and Amber Brooks joined Robbins as an honorable mention selection. The Chicago native came to UTSA from St. Edward’s University in Austin, where he spent the previous two seasons as an assistant. He mentored the Hilltoppers’ outside hitters and liberos and also was the program’s recruiting, travel and academic coordinator. He has coached Austin’s Junior Volleyball club team for the past three years, leading the squad to third-place finishes at the 2008 Pacific Northwest Qualifier and Lone Star Classic and fourth-place showing at the Lone Star Regional. Xiang earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana in 2000 and a MBA in marketing from Texas’ McCombs School of Business in 2006. He has six years of playing experience at the outside hitter and libero positions. Xiang was a member of Indiana’s club team from 1997-2000 and was the squad’s cap- tain his final season. He also played for two years at Texas, where he earned first-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association honors in 2006.
ASSISTANT COACH SANJA TOMASEVIC >>
ASSISTANT COACH // FIRST SEASON // WASHINGTON, 2006
Sanja Tomasevic (SAHN-yuh toeMAH-suh-vitch) joined the UTSA coaching staff in June 2012. Tomasevic comes to the Alamo City after successful professional and collegiate careers. The Serbia native played seven years professionally, including the last two as a co-captain of POMI Casalmaggiore in Italy. She was named to four All-Star Games and was named the Best Server at the 2010 European Challenge Cup. She won three league championships, including back-to-back Greek titles with Panathinaikos in 2009 and ‘10. A two-time All-American and the 2005 Asics and CVU. com National Player of the Year at Washington, Tomasevic led the Huskies to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2005 National Championship, and a pair of Pacific-10 Conference titles.
The former outside hitter ended her collegiate career as Washington’s all-time leader in points (2,159.5), kills (1,795) and service aces (156). She is one of only three players in Huskies history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Tomasevic graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. “I am very excited to add Sanja to our program,” head coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff said when she announced the hiring. “She brings instant credibility to our staff from her professional playing experience and All-American collegiate career. We are very fortunate to have a person like Sanja on our staff.” “I am definitely excited about the opportunity to work at such a distinguished institution,” Tomasevic said. “I have the opportunity to work with and learn from a great staff. I look forward to the challenge of helping the UTSA volleyball program continue its progress.”
2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK | 15
RETURNERS >> McKenzie
ADAMS
6-3 // Outside Hitter // Jr.-1L Schertz, Texas // Steele HS // Virginia SOPHOMORE (2011) Named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-Southland … selected to the Southland All-Tournament Team … became the first national honoree in the program’s 29-year 10 history after being named National Player of the Week by CVU.com on Oct. 11 … twice named Southland Player of the Week … earned all-tournament honors at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational after leading all participants with 48 kills (3.69 cps) and a .443 hitting percentage … set a program record with a .762 hitting percentage on the strength of 16 kills in 21 errorless swings at McNeese State (Oct. 8) … led the Southland and ranked 24th in the nation with 1.33 blocks per set … ranked third on the team with 253 winners (2.88 cps) while hitting at a .285 clip during the season … also averaged 1.42 digs per frame. FRESHMAN (2010 - VIRGINIA) Named the NCAA East Region, Atlantic Coast Conference and Virginia Sports Information Directors Freshman of the Year ... she was a two-time ACC Freshman of the Week (10/11 and 11/1) ... named to the All-Tournament Team at the Marriott Cavalier Classic ... broke Virginia’s freshman single-match record for kills with 29 against Clemson ... had six doubledoubles on the year ... finished the season second on the team with 264 kills (3.03 kps) ... led the Cavaliers in kills seven times and blocks three times ... landed her 250th kill of the year in season finale at Virginia Tech ... earned her 100th dig of the season at North Carolina State. HIGH SCHOOL A first-team all-state honoree during her prep career at Steele HS ... ranked No. 24 on PrepVolleyball.com’s Senior Ace List ... named to the Lonestar Volleyball All-Texas Team ... ranked No. 1 in kills percentage for the San Antonio area as a junior and senior ... two-time MVP of the Wagner HS Tournament ... MVP of the North East ISD Tournament ... named to the AAU Volleyball Nationals All-American Team ... holds school records for kills and blocks ... also owns season records for kills and blocks ... two-time district all-academic selection. PERSONAL Daughter of Van and Terrie Adams ... has one sister, Ashley ... majoring in multidisciplinary studies.
ADAMS’ CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. 2010 * 25-87 264 3.03 115 753 .198 2011 26-88 253 2.88 94 558 .285 TOTAL 51-175 517 2.95 209 1311 .235 * denotes stats from Virginia
16 | 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK
A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 8 0.09 11 0.13 172 1.98 7 60 67 0.77 16 0.18 11 0.12 125 1.42 32 85 117 1.33 24 0.14 22 0.13 297 1.70 39 145 184 1.05
RETURNERS >> Allie
BETTINGER
6-0 // Outside Hitter // Sr.-1L Willow Park, Texas // Aledo HS // Samford
24
JUNIOR (2011) Saw action in 26 matches and 41 sets … recorded 25 kills, 25 digs, four block assists, two assists and one service ace … netted a season-high six winners against Prairie View A&M (Sept. 6) … collected a season-high eight digs against SMU (Sept. 16).
SOPHOMORE (2010 - SAMFORD) Appeared in 100 sets over 30 matches for the Bulldogs and made 25 starts ... ranked fourth on the team with 243 kills (2.43 kps) ... added 194 digs (1.94 dps), 25 total blocks (4 solos/21 assists) and 12 service aces. FRESHMAN (2009 – SAMFORD) Played in every match for the Bulldogs and started 26 as a true freshman ... named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team ... ranked third in the conference standings in kills with 361... led the Bulldogs in kills (.3.17 cps) and attacks (1,033) … finished the season fourth in assists (13) and aces (26) and third in digs with 231... posted a career-high 20 kills twice, first at Memphis (Sept. 18) then versus Elon (Sept. 27) ... recorded a career-high .400 (11-3-20) attack percentage in Samford’s first match of the year against ULM ... tallied career highs in digs with 19 at Wofford (Oct. 24) and in blocks with three (0-3) at Western Carolina (Oct. 10) ... posted eight double-doubles throughout the year and tallied 10 or more kills in 20 matches ... earned a place on the Samford Invitational All-Tournament team after putting together three consecutive double-digit kills games and tallying 31 kills and 13 digs over the weekend ... named SoCon Player of the Month for September after leading her team in kills and digs, posting five double-doubles and notching a career high in kills and digs twice during the month ... also named 2010 SAMPSYS Female Rookie of the Year. HIGH SCHOOL Her Aledo High School team went undefeated in District play twice and have been District Champions and Area Champions three years in a row ... the Bearcats were Texas 8-4A Co-District Champions in 2006, 8-4A District Champions in 2007 and 6-4A District Champions in 2008 ... Aledo made it to the quarterfinals in the Regionals in 2006 and the Regional semifinals in 2007 ... the Bearcats have won 38 consecutive district matches since 2006...was named 2006 Second Team All-District and Academic AllDistrict while in 2007 ... earned the 8-4A Outstanding Hitting Award and was named Academic All-District again ... was the All-Tournament Hitter at the Bev Ball Classic in 2008 ... 2008-09 District 6-4A MVP ... 2008 Fort Worth Star Telegram Player of the Year ... selected to the 2008 TGCA All-State Team ... Academic All-State. PERSONAL Born December 18, 1990 ... daughter of Rick and Angela Bettinger ... has one brother, Luke ... her dad, Rick, wrestled at Western State ... majoring in history.
BETTINGER’S CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. 2009 * 31-114 361 3.17 184 1033 .171 2010 * 30-100 243 2.43 113 747 .174 2011 26-41 25 0.61 8 77 .221 TOTAL 87-255 629 2.47 305 1857 .174 * denotes stats from Samford
A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 13 0.11 26 0.23 231 2.03 0 19 19 0.17 9 0.09 12 0.12 194 1.94 4 21 25 0.25 2 0.05 1 0.02 25 0.61 0 4 4 0.10 24 0.09 39 0.15 450 1.76 4 44 48 0.19 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK | 17
RETURNERS >> Brittney
MALLOY
6-0 // Middle Hitter // Sr.-3L San Antonio, Texas // Warren HS JUNIOR (2011) Named second-team All-Southland Conference … earned honorable mention All-National and AllSouthwest Region honors from COBRA Magazine … named Southland Defensive Player of the 9 Week on Oct. 11 … led the team and ranked third in the Southland with a .319 hitting percentage … ranked second in the Southland and 56th in the nation with 1.18 blocks per set … posted double-digit kills in five of the final seven matches of the season … tallied 223 winners (2.10 cps). SOPHOMORE (2010) Named to the COBRA Magazine’s All-Southwest Region Team and earned All-National Honorable Mention accolades by the same publication ... earned a spot on the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll ... competed in 116 sets ... led the team and ranked seventh in the league with a .308 hitting percentage ... finished fourth on the squad with 213 kills (1.84 kps) ... ranked second on the team with 107 total blocks, including a team-high 92 block assists ... set numerous career highs during the campaign, including 14 winners on 20 attacks with just two errors (.600) in the Southland Tournament Championship against Central Arkansas (Nov. 21) ... registered double-digit kills in nine matches, including 13 in the UTSA’s season-opening win over Mississippi (Aug. 27) ... tied a career best of seven total blocks three times, including the Roadrunners’ win over Central Arkansas in San Antonio (Oct. 30) ... produced a .647 hitting percentage with 12 kills and one error on 17 attempts against Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 6). FRESHMAN (2009) Saw action in 67 sets in her first season ... tallied 73 kills (1.09 kps) and 64 total blocks (8 solos/56 assists) ... tied a season-high nine kills against Central Arkansas (Oct. 24) ... also recorded a season-high seven block assists in the same match ... posted six winners in eight attempts, without an error, at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Oct. 3) to produce a .750 hitting percentage. HIGH SCHOOL A three-year starter who earned all-district accolades her final two seasons ... a firstteam all-district honoree as a senior and second teamer as a junior ... collected 3.7 kills per set, hit .359 and averaged more than a block per game during her final season ... helped lead team to 2008 area finals and consecutive bi-district finals in 2006-07 ... a member of the San Antonio Heat club team. PERSONAL Born Nov. 27, 1990, in San Antonio, Texas ... daughter of Jerry and Felecia Malloy ... has one sister, Ashley ... cousin, Matt Kemp, currently is the starting center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers ... majoring in kinesiology.
MALLOY’S CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. 2009 22-67 73 1.09 38 215 .163 2010 34-116 213 1.84 70 465 .308 2011 33-106 223 2.10 68 486 .319 TOTAL 89-289 509 1.76 176 1166 .286 18 | 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK
A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 4 0.06 0 0.00 6 0.09 8 56 64 0.96 2 0.02 0 0.00 16 0.14 15 92 107 0.92 1 0.01 0 0.00 16 0.15 14 111 125 1.18 7 0.02 0 0.00 38 0.13 37 259 296 1.02
RETURNERS >> Lauren
MUENCHOW
5-11 // Middle Hitter // So.-1L Kingsbury, Texas // Seguin HS
4
FRESHMAN (2011) Named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll … competed in 19 matches … posted 25 kills and eight total blocks (6 assists/2 solos) … racked up a season-high five winners against Santa Clara (Sept. 17) … added four kills against Creighton (Aug. 26) and Missouri (Sept. 9).
HIGH SCHOOL A two-year starter who earned back-to-back all-district awards ... named the Texas Girls’ Coaches’ All-Star and earned the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2010 ... helped team to the state tournament in 2009 ... played club with the Bexar County Volleyball Academy ... earned four letters in track and field by competing in the 400m, triple jump and high jump ... finished third in the high jump at the district meet. PERSONAL Born December 29, 1992, in Seguin, Texas ... daughter of Brian Muenchow and Holly and Kelly Modl ... has two sisters, Lindsey and Leslie ... member of the Honor’s College who is majoring in psychology.
MUENCHOW’S CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 2011 19-32 25 0.78 11 67 .209 1 0.03 0 0.00 2 0.06 2 6 8 0.25 TOTAL 19-32 25 0.78 11 67 .209 1 0.03 0 0.00 2 0.06 2 6 8 0.25 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK | 19
RETURNERS >> Becca
STARK
5-10 // Defensive Specialist // So.-1L New Braunfels, Texas // Canyon HS
22
FRESHMAN (2011) Named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll … appeared in 21 matches … racked up four service aces and eight digs … posted a pair of service aces against Texas State (Nov. 10).
HIGH SCHOOL A three-year starter who earned first-team all-district and All-Comal County honors in 2010 ... second-team all-district pick in 2009 ... earned All-Tournament honors at the Seguin Invitational and the Fraulein Volleyfest ... named academic all-district in 2008. PERSONAL Born May 17, 1993, in New Braunfels, Texas ... daughter of Scott and Kristene Stark ... has one older sister, Jessica, and one younger brother, Walker ... majoring in business.
STARK’S CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 2011 21-29 0 0.00 0 0 .000 0 0.00 4 0.14 8 0.28 0 0 0 0.00 TOTAL 21-29 0 0.00 0 0 .000 0 0.00 4 0.14 8 0.28 0 0 0 0.00 20 | 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK
RETURNERS >> Dempsey
THORNTON
6-1 // Outside Hitter // So.-1L Corpus Christi, Texas // King HS FRESHMAN (2011) Named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll … named to the Pioneer Classic AllTournament Team after posting 33 kills over a three-match span … started all 33 matches … ranked 23 third on the team with 278 winners (2.44 kps) … recorded 18 service aces, 181 digs (1.59 dps) and 39 total blocks (33 assists/6 solos) … posted double-digit kills 14 times, including a season-high 14 against Missouri (Sept. 9) … recorded four double-doubles … collected a season-high 17 digs against Santa Clara (Sept. 17). HIGH SCHOOL A four-year starter who was one of the top players in the state of Texas ... named a PrepVolleyball.com All-American ... tabbed first-team 5A All-State and earned UIL State All-Tournament Team honors ... named the 2010 Corpus Christi Caller-Times All-South Texas Most Valuable Player and was tabbed the District 27-5A MVP and Outstanding Hitter ... earned the Nike Pearland Invitational MVP and was the LoneStar Volleyball Player of the Week ... was the 2010 LoneStar Volleyball Player of the Year Runner-Up ... helped team to the No. 1 ranking in the Texas AP poll and No. 8 national ranking in the ESPN RISE poll ... senior statistics include 629 kills, 220 digs and 76 total blocks ... played club for the Corpus Christi Wave ... four-year starter in basketball who earned Texas Basketball Magazine All-State, All-Region IV and first-team AllSouth Texas honors after helping her team to a district title with a 30-8 record ... named the All-South Texas Defensive Player of the Year. PERSONAL Born Feb. 5, 1993, in Corpus Christi, Texas ... daughter of the Joan Thornton and the late Gerald Thornton ... has one older brother, Schuyler ... a National Honor Society member who was ranked fifth in her graduating class of 707 students ... named the 2010 Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar-Athlete ... majoring in marketing.
THORNTON’S CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 2011 33-114 278 2.44 110 912 .184 21 0.18 18 0.16 181 1.59 6 33 39 0.34 TOTAL 33-114 278 2.44 110 912 .184 21 0.18 18 0.16 181 1.59 6 33 39 0.34 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK | 21
RETURNERS >> Whitney
WALLS
6-0 // Outside Hitter // Sr.-3L Arlington, Texas // Martin HS JUNIOR (2011) Named first-team All-Southland Conference and first-team Academic All-Southland … earned Southland Player of the Week honors on Sept. 5 … garnered second-team Preseason All-Southland laurels 15 … led the team with 339 kills (2.92 cps) and ranked second with a .317 hitting percentage … finished fourth on the team with 0.73 blocks per frame … netted a career-high 22 winners at Houston Baptist (Sept. 1) … posted double-digit kills in 15 matches during the season … named to the Southland Commissioner’s Honor Roll. SOPHOMORE (2010) Named honorable mention All-Southland Conference after being selected to the preseason first-team all-conference team ... earned a spot on the Southland Commissioner’s Honor Roll ... named to the Southland All-Tournament Team after recording 42 kills in UTSA’s three-match run ... saw action in 129 sets ... ranked ninth in the Southland with a .273 hitting percentage ... finished second on the club with 340 winners (2.64 kps) ... ranked third on the team with 85 total blocks (6 solo/79 assists) ... recorded 19 matches with double-digit kills, including a season-high 17 in UTSA’s five-set win over Mississippi (Aug. 27) ... posted a career-best seven total blocks against Northwestern State (Oct. 28). FRESHMAN (2009) Named second-team All-Southland in her first campaign ... saw action in 117 sets ... ranked second on the team with 256 kills (2.19 kps) and fourth with 62 total blocks (1 solo/61 assists) … added 41 digs, eight assists and three service aces ... recorded eight contests with double-digit kills, including a high of 20 at Sam Houston State (Oct. 28) ... her first double-digit kill match was on Sept. 12 after posting 10 winners against Weber State ... had a season-high six block assists against McNeese State (Oct. 14). HIGH SCHOOL A three-year starter who earned District 4-5A co-Most Valuable Player honors as a senior ... among the area leaders in kills (3.4 kps) that season ... tabbed second- team all-district accolades as a junior and helped lead squad to area title ... an honorable mention choice as a sophomore ... promoted to varsity during the 2005 state playoffs and team went on to win UIL 5A State Championship ... a three-year member of the North Dallas Juniors club team. PERSONAL Born Jan. 7, 1991, in Arlington, Texas ... daughter of Bill and Vicki Walls... has one brother ... majoring in marketing.
WALLS’ CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. 2009 31-117 256 2.19 103 615 .249 2010 34-129 340 2.64 112 835 .273 2011 33-116 339 2.92 101 751 .317 TOTAL 98-362 935 2.58 316 2201 .281 22 | 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK
A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 8 0.07 3 0.03 41 0.35 1 61 62 0.53 10 0.08 0 0.00 38 0.29 6 79 85 0.66 3 0.03 0 0.00 43 0.37 3 82 85 0.73 21 0.06 3 0.01 122 0.34 10 222 232 0.64
RETURNERS >> Carly
WISHLOW
6-2 // Middle Hitter // So.-1L Calgary, Alberta // William Aberhart HS
7
FRESHMAN (2011) Named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll … saw action in eight matches … posted three kills with a dig and a block assist against Prairie View A&M (Sept. 6) … also netted winners against Nicholls (Oct. 15), Lamar (Oct. 22) and UT Arlington (Nov. 12).
HIGH SCHOOL A four-year starter on the front row who helped her team to the city and provincial championships in 2010 and ‘11 ... competed for the Dino Women’s Volleyball club team ... named the 2009 Senior Rookie of the Year and guided her Team Alberta club to the gold medal at the 2009 Western Canada Challenge Cup ... helped Team Canada Southern Alberta to the silver medal at the 2010 National Canadian Challenge Cup ... named the 2008 Junior City Tournament Most Valuable Player. PERSONAL Born June 17, 1993, in Winnipeg, Manitoba ... daughter of Jim and Heather Wishlow ... has two sisters, Lara and Britany ... majoring in education.
WISHLOW’S CAREER STATS
Year MP-SP K K/S E TA Pct. A A/S SA SA/S Digs D/S BS BA TB B/S 2011 8-9 6 0.67 1 16 .312 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 0.22 0 2 2 0.22 TOTAL 8-9 6 0.67 1 16 .312 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 0.22 0 2 2 0.22 2012 UTSA VOLLEYBALL FACT BOOK | 23
NEWCOMERS >> Kristin
BOOKER
6-3 // Middle Hitter // Fr.-HS Houston, Texas // North Shore HS
2
HIGH SCHOOL Started her final two years on the front line for head coach Dawn Gutirrez at North Shore Senior High School in Houston … led the Mustangs wot a 33-7 mark and the district championship as a senior … earned second-team all-district honors in her final campaign … also garnered the team’s “Best Blocker Award” … played club with the Houston Juniors.
PERSONAL Full name is Kristin Dominique Booker … born on Sept. 25, 1993 in Houston … daughter of Tina DeWalt … has one brother, Tyler … undeclared in her major.
Erin
FOLEY
5-9 // Setter // Fr.-HS Thousand Oaks, Calif. // Thousand Oaks HS
8
HIGH SCHOOL Three-year letterwinner as a setter for head coach James Park at Thousand Oaks High School … helped team to back-to-back 14-0 records in league play … led squad to CIF-SS Division IAA Quarterfinals during her senior campaign … also earned All-Marmonte League honors in 2011 … posted 522 assists while running a 6-2 system as a senior … also named the Thousand Oaks HS Track Athlete of the Year in 2008 … received the “Superintendent’s Highest Honor” award in 2012 … played club for Los Angeles Volleyball Academy in her final year.
PERSONAL Full name is Erin Michelle Foley … born Oct. 29, 1993, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. … daughter of Joe and Kim Foley … has one brother, Sean … majoring in community health.
Paige
HAMILTON
5-5 // Defensive Specialist // Jr.-TR San Antonio, Texas // Smithson Valley HS // Blinn JC
PRIOR TO UTSA Started one season at libero for head coach David Rehr at Blinn College … helped the Buccaneers to a 38-0 record and the NJCAA Division I National Championship last fall … named honorable mention all-conference.
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HIGH SCHOOL Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at libero for head coach Liana Gombert at Smithson Valley High School … two-time first-team all-state honoree … named Comal County Player of the Year in 2009 … led team to playoffs in all four seasons … also a three-year starter in softball, where she helped team to the state championship in 2009 … twice named first-team All-District 26-5A and selected to the all-area team in 2009. PERSONAL Full name is Paige Victoria Hamilton … born May 19, 2992, in Plainfield, Ill. … daughter of Tony and Victoria Hamilton … has two brothers, Drew and Dominic … her brother Drew played baseball at Incarnate Word, while Dominic is a current member of the Cardinals football team … majoring in psychology.
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NEWCOMERS >> Brandy
HUSKEY
5-10 // Setter // Jr.-TR Columbus, Texas // Columbus HS // Texas Tech
SOPHOMORE (2011 - TEXAS TECH) Became a regular in the Texas Tech lineup during sophomore season … appeared in 22 total matches while making six starts … inserted more as a defensive specialist instead of her natural position at setter … totaled 126 digs on the season, the most for any non-regular starting player … really shined during Big 12 play as 104 of those digs came against conference opponents … all six of her starts came during league play … also totaled 57 assists on the year … had a season-high 23 assists Sept. 9 against Grambling State … set a new career high at the time with 13 digs in Tech’s five-set loss to Texas A&M … later had 19 digs over four sets at Kansas State … also totaled 12 aces on the year, fifth-most on the squad … had two or more aces in four matches, including a career-high three against Grambling State in the Louisiana Tech Invitational … finished with two total kills as well.
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FRESHMAN (2010 - TEXAS TECH) Spent the year as Texas Tech’s backup setter but also saw action as a defensive specialist … appeared in 15 matches while making eight starts … made two starts at setter to open Big 12 play … averaged 9.17 assists per set during those matches … all her other starts have come as a defensive specialist … saw first collegiate action against Mississippi, totaling 10 assists and six digs in the match … was one of Tech’s better defenders in the Colorado State Tournament as she posted seven digs against both the host Rams and Northeastern … made her first career start at setter against Missouri … posted her first career double-double against the Tigers, finishing with 32 assists and 11 digs … also added a season-high three blocks against Mizzou … received the starting nod the following match against Kansas State where she recorded 23 assists … recorded nine assists at 11th-ranked Texas. HIGH SCHOOL Highly versatile player coming from a successful prep career under head coach Rhonda Magness at Columbus High School … named the District 25-3A MVP from her setter position in 2007 … also earned the honor in 2009 … was an All-State selection in 2008 and 2009 by the Texas Girls’ Coaches Association … team finished the 2009 season 38-3, falling in the regional championship round … was an all-around athlete as she also played key roles on the school’s basketball and softball teams … named to the All-District team at three different positions in softball (pitcher, outfield, and first base) … in basketball, she was named the district’s Newcomer of the Year in 2007 … followed up with second team All-District honors in 2008 and first team accolades in 2009 … named to the Academic All-District all four years throughout high school. PERSONAL Full name is Brandy Kay Huskey … born March 15, 1992, to parents Keith and Rhonda Huskey … has two sisters, Elise and Cheyenne … older sister Elise was a letterwinner at UTSA from 2007-11 … mother and father both competed in collegiate athletics … father at University of St. Thomas and mother at Texas Woman’s University … relative Clayton Weishunn played for the New England Patriots of the NFL from 1982-86 … majoring in kinesiology.
Jordan
KOTARA
6-1 // Middle/Outside Hitter // Fr.-HS Poth, Texas // Poth HS
HIGH SCHOOL Four-year starter on the front line for head coach Patricia Zenner at Poth High School … led the Pirettes to the 2009 and ‘11 2A State Championship … also helped Poth HS to 2010 State Championship Match and the 2008 Area Finals … named Most Valuable Player of the 2A State Tournament … earned Texas Sports Writers Association All-State First-Team at middle hitter in 2011 … named to the 2011 San Antonio Express-News All-Area Super Team and the 1A/2A All-Area Team MVP … selected to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Team and 2A All-State Team … also earned TGCA all-state honors in 2010 … named to the San Antonio ExpressNews 2A All-Area Team in 2009 … also a three-year starter in basketball … three-time All-District 30-AA selection, including being named to the first team in both 2010 and ‘12 … named the 2011 Defensive MVP of District 30-AA … led team to 2012 2A State Championship Game.
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PERSONAL Full name is Jordan Kotara … born Aug. 12, 1993, in San Antonio … daughter of Rodney and Cheryl Kotara … has one brother, Brett … her aunt, Janice Dziuk, played basketball at TCU (1986-90) … major is undeclared.
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NEWCOMERS >> Annie
KUNES
5-6 // Defensive Specialist // Fr.-HS Fontana, Wis. // Big Foot HS
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HIGH SCHOOL Four-year starter at outside hitter for head coach Jen Stelling at Big Foot High School ... posted 313 kills and 357 digs during senior campaign ... led team to three straight conference titles ... earned second-team Division II All-State and first-team all-state tournament as a senior ... named conference MVP ... member of the High Honor Roll in her final two years ... played libero for Club Fusion for four years ... helped team to JVDA National Championship.
PERSONAL Full name is Anne Marie Kunes … born on Dec. 8, 1993 in Palos Park, Ill. … daughter of Gregg and Debbie Kunes … has one sister, Kelli, and four brothers, Scott, Dan, Tim and Mike … undeclared in her major.
Macie
MCKAY
6-0 // Middle Hitter // Fr.-HS San Antonio, Texas // Smithson Valley HS
3
HIGH SCHOOL Three-year starter on the front row for head coach Liana Gombert at Smithson Valley High School ... three-time all-district honoree for the Rangers ... posted 250 kills and 96 total blocks during her senior campaign ... guided team to four playoff appearances including a district championship following an undefeated season in 2010 ... also earned academic all-district honors ... played two years of club with SA Force.
PERSONAL Full name is Macie Lane McKay … born on Aug. 1, 1994 in San Antonio … daughter of Keith and Kellie McKay … has one has one brother, Cole, and one sister, Madeline ... undeclared in her major.
Kylie
SCHOTT
6-1 // Middle Hitter // Fr.-HS Cypress, Texas // Cy-Fair HS
13 in education.
HIGH SCHOOL Three-year starter at middle hitter for head coach Donna Benoit at Cy-Fair High School … named first-team All-District 17-5A in 2011 … selected as the Bobcats’ Most Valuable Player … tallied 460 kills, 148 total blocks and 49 digs as a senior … member of the National Honor Society and earned Academic All-State honors … played club with Houston Skyline 18 RoShamBo. PERSONAL Full name is Kylie Nicole Schott … born May 15, 1994, in The Woodlands, Texas … daughter of Greg and Denise Schott … majoring
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