Charlotte Volleyball Inks Three Prep Standouts for 2006
Nov. 29, 2005
Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers volleyball program signed three high school standouts in the fall signing period, head coach Lisa Marston announced Tuesday.
The 49ers, coming off their first season in the Atlantic 10 Conference, graduate three seniors off a team that finished the season 17-16 overall and recorded a second place finish in the A-10's East Division.
Charlotte will reload in 2006 with the help of new 49ers Lisa Thomas (Burgaw, N.C.), Priscilla Barbanell (San Clemente, Calif.), and Kaitlin Knight (Englewood, Colo.).
Lisa Thomas is a 6-2 outside hitter from Pender High School in Burgaw, N.C., where she played for head coach Ray Horton. She also played for Rick Reynolds as a member of the Cape Fear Volleyball Fury club team. Lisa is the daughter of Roseanne and Dr. Harry D. Thomas, Jr.
"Lisa offers something very different for us on the outside," says coach Marston. "She is big and physical and hits a very heavy ball. We are looking forward to her terminating a lot of balls for us!"
In her final three seasons, Thomas helped lead Pender High to back-to-back-to-back 2A Waccamaw Championships, a combined 82-7 record, and two state Eastern Region championships. She was an all-conference selection in both 10th and 11th grades, and earned back to back Pender Chronicle Player of the Year honors those seasons. As a junior, she was Star News Player of the Year. As a senior this fall, Thomas learned to play left-handed after a shoulder injury. Awards for this season are pending.
"I chose Charlotte for numerous reasons," Lisa said. "First, I love the team chemistry. Everyone gets along. Also, the city is great. It is well-populated and displays a sense of sophistication. But most of all, I love Coaches Marston and Adeva. Both are very easy and pleasant to be around, and are also very comforting. Charlotte gives me the image of having great school spirit while maintaining a professional image."
Priscilla Barbanell is a 5-foot-11 middle blocker from San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California. She played for coaches Rob O'Rear and Carrie de la Puente with the Tritons, and for Michael Soylular with the Laguna Beach Volleyball Club. Priscilla is the daughter of Teresa and Jerry Barbanell.
"Priscilla is one of the quickest middles in her class," says coach Marston. "She has a strong, quick arm which will help her score a lot of points. She has played at a high level in club and that experience should help get her on the court right away."
Priscilla was a three-year varsity player that helped San Clemente High to back-to-back undefeated championship seasons in the South Coast League. In 2004, the team was a semifinalist in CIF Southern Section Division IA. This fall, the Tritons earned the second seed in the CIF I-AA (large school division) Southern Sectionals, bowing in the semifinal round.
"I chose Charlotte because the coaches, the team and campus made me feel at home," Priscilla said. "Nothing is finer than being a Niner!"
Kaitlin Knight is a 5-11 outside hitter from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado. She played for coach Sally Moos with the Bruins and for Nial Davis and Stephen Arichea with the Front Range Volleyball Club. She is the daughter of Suzanne and Charles Knight.
Said coach Marston: "I'm very excited to have Kaitlin joining the 49er family. She offers tremendous ball control and defense in addition to her smart offense and great jumping ability. I can't wait to see the many ways she's gonna help this program."
Knight and her Cherry Creek Bruins team captured second place in Regional and District playoffs in 2004, finishing fifth at the state championship. In 2005, the team was 16-6 overall and fourth place in the Centennial League. She averaged 2.9 kills and 2.47 digs per game as a senior, and was named First Team All-Centennial League.
"I love the location, it's the perfect city for me," said Knight. "Not only because of the size, but because of the weather and there is a lot to do. Charlotte has a competitive volleyball team, and the academics are rigorous as well."
Charlotte finished the regular season as the Atlantic 10's fourth place team overall, losing in the conference championship semifinals to eventual champion Dayton. In 2006, the 49ers will return three of four players who earned All-Atlantic 10 honors this season.
"I am truly looking forward to training this class of athletes," said coach Marston. "I am confident that they are going to make a huge impact on this program and help us to win an Atlantic 10 championship. The future is bright!"
The three signees join a trio of players who made contributions in their first years for the 49ers in 2005. Carly Romberg was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team after serving as the Niners' starting libero over the final 32 matches, leading the club and ranking among the league leaders in digs. Courtney Cowles was a solid back-row player for the 49ers in the latter half of the year, providing a second setting option in some key situations, and made some starts as the team's setter early in the season. Kelly Schmidt started the team's first match in August before suffering a hand injury, but recovered to serve and play back row in many matches down the stretch.
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Charlotte 49ers Volleyball 2006 Signees (Fall Period)
Player, Height, Position, Hometown (High School), Club Team
Lisa Thomas, 6-2, OH, Burgaw, N.C. (Pender), Cape Fear VB Club
Priscilla Barbanell, 5-11, MB, San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente), Laguna Beach VB Club
Kaitlin Knight, 5-11, OH, Englewood, Colo. (Cherry Creek), Front Range VB Club
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