Texas Tech University Athletics
Three Student-Athletes Join Tech Volleyball
May 19, 2008 | Women's Volleyball
May 19, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas - With the 2008 season beckoning at the horizon, Texas Tech volleyball has announced the addition of three student-athletes to its roster. Hayley Ball (Houston, Texas/ Blinn College) has signed a national letter of intent, while Tyler Elley of San Antonio, Texas (San Antonio Reagan H.S.) and Caroline Witte (Brenham, Texas/Blinn College) have agreed to walk on.
The trio will add needed depth and athleticism to a Tech team that was saddled with injuries while struggling through Big 12 play in 2007. Witte and Ball also bring a winning background with them to the South Plains, having helped lead Blinn to a combined 69-8 record and a pair of fifth-place finishes in the NJCAA Tournament the last two years.
Witte will join highly-touted freshman Karlyn Meyers, who signed a letter of intent in November, to give the Red Raiders two capable and athletic setters after injuries at the position hampered Tech a year ago. Elley will help fill in on defense and on the outside in a position left void after the graduation of Lindsey Louis. Ball will add depth and experience on the outside, where she will join with last year's leading attacker Michelle Flores and other outside hitters to give the Red Raiders a capable stable of attackers.
"We are very excited about the addition of these players to our program," Todd said. "They are all very skilled players that will contribute a great deal to this team."
Elley, a 5-8 defensive specialist/outside hitter, comes to the South Plains after being named first-team all-district this past year at Reagan H.S., where she was also an academic all-district selection. Elley has also played six years with the Alamo Volleyball Association while leading its top club team to two-consecutive state tournament appearances.
"Tyler is just a good all-around player with great ball control," Todd said. "We look forward to her doing some great things on the court for Tech in the near future."
Witte transferred to Tech midyear this year after a standout juco career at Blinn. The 5-foot-10 setter was a two-sport standout at Brenham H.S. where she garnered all-district and academic all-district honors in volleyball in addition to various accolades as a soccer player. An all-around athlete, Witte was an All-Region XIV performer this past season while helping the Buccaneers to a fifth-place national finish at the NJCAA Tournament.
"Caroline is a great setter and competitor," Todd said. "She did a great job playing with us this spring. We are looking forward to seeing her compete in the Big 12."
Capping off the class is Ball, a 5-10 outside hitter that also comes to Tech after a successful stint at Blinn. The Houston, Texas, product was a TCGA and TSWA performer at Stratford H.S. With the Buccaneers, she was a two-time All-Region XIV standout while leading the team on the outside.
"We are very excited to have Hayley join our program," Todd said. "She comes from a great program at Blinn and has a lot of experience. She will bring a high level of play to our team."
The Red Raiders will open their 2008 season the end of August.
