Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Volleyball Inks Three for 2003 Season
November 14, 2002 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 14, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech volleyball coach Jeff Nelson announced today the signing of three freshmen to National Letters of Intent for the 2003 volleyball season. Next year's incoming class will include Raven Garrett from The Colony, Texas; Robyn Bucy from El Paso, Texas; and Kiley Lyons from Amarillo, Texas.
Garrett is a 6-foot-2 middle blocker that lettered two years at The Colony High School and was Voted Rookie of the Year for district 5-AAAAA in 2000. Her solid vertical jump along with her 7-11 vertical reach helped her earn two-time first team all-district honors as well as the Middle Blocker Award at the Oklahoma tournament. She was also a two-time all-tournament honoree at the Denton Ryan tournament in 2001 and 2002.
"Raven is an exciting and motivating person," notes her high school coach Terri Harrod. "She was voted Rookie of the Year and is a two-time first team all-district honoree with tremendous leadership skills. She led the team in kills and digs last season and is a true captain."
The highly sought after Garrett chose Tech over schools such as Florida State, Alabama, Southwest Texas State, and Mississippi State. "I really liked the facilities and girls there at Tech," commented Garrett. "Another thing that I liked about Texas Tech was they run the same type of offense that we run here. My goals are to work hard until I get there in the fall so that I am not too far behind, and compete for a starting position."
"Raven brings good size and is very fast," notes Nelson. "With her speed she has the ability to a great middle in the Big 12. She is a good student and great person that we think can come in and can contribute immediately and should challenge for playing time in the middle."
Bucy, a 6-0 rightside hitter from Coronado High School (El Paso), was a two-time letterwinner who boasts such awards as Rookie of the Year, first team all-district and honorable mention all-city as a junior. Thus far in 2002, Bucy was voted MVP of the West Texas Tournament of Champions as well as being named to the all-tournament team in the San Angelo tournament. Her vertical jump has improved four inches in the past four months.
"Robyn was a player that had a major turn-around from her junior year to now," commented her high school coach Julie Dial. "Her turn-around was because she wanted to improve, because she likes the game so much. She turned into one of the team's leaders this season mainly because she is not an 'I' player, she looks at the team aspect of the game."
"Robyn brings in a different look being left-handed," says Nelson. "She has an extremely strong hitting arm with the capability to improve throughout her college career. She plays at a high level and is extremely athletic. On top of that she is a good student."
Lyons signed a letter of intent with Tech out of River Roads High School. The four-year letter winner stands at 5-11 and was tabbed Newcomer of the Year in 2000, earned Region 1-AAA, all-tournament team honors in 2001 and was also first team all-district in 2001. Her senior season saw her earn all-tournament team honors at both the Pampa and Seminole tournaments. She was named Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Player of the Month in September and was recently voted co-MVP of her district.
Lyons signed with Tech, choosing the scarlet and black over in-state rival TCU.
"I have always wanted to go to Tech," she noted. "I wanted to go somewhere that was close to home, but not too close. I chose Tech because I like to work in a fast offense and that is what Tech runs."
"Kiley is a 'gym rat,'" notes her high school coach Kira Setterfield. "She is an extremely athletic person, is very quick and has a fast arm. She studies the other teams and, more than that, she studies other players. I think her athleticism and willingness to learn will help her in Division I ball."
"We will bring her in to play the outside," notes Nelson. "Kiley is a phenomenal athlete who with some practice and a weight-training program, can only get better. I feel like she is the type of player who has a very high end and is a great addition to our core of outside hitters."
"I think that all three of these girls will be a great fit for the program," adds Nelson. "They are all very athletic and good students. I am extremely happy to be bringing such talented student-athletes into our program."
