Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Volleyball Adds Four in Spring Signing Period
April 14, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
April 14, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - Four months on the job, Don Flora has already changed the culture of the Texas Tech volleyball program. On Thursday, he added to its future.
Flora announced Thursday the signing of Breeann David (Denver City, Texas), Mikia Mills (Fontana, Calif.), Samantha Podraza (San Diego, Calif.), and Brogran Prior-Newburn (Castle Rock, Colo.) to national letters of intent, marking the first group to put their names to paper since Flora's hire in January.
"It is an exciting time in the life of Texas Tech Volleyball," Flora said. "This day is one of significance and excitement as the staff and this program look to these fine young women as key additions to the vision and plan that is taking shape here at Texas Tech. We believe the plan that is in place continues to grow and the character and type of people these women are will only enhance the future of Red Raider Volleyball in 2011 and beyond."
A local standout throughout her high school career, David arrives at Tech as one of the more high-profile signees in recent years as the outside hitter was a four-time district MVP and Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) All-State selection. She was also named an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American following her senior season where she ranked seventh in the nation in kills per set (7.0), according to MaxPreps.
David drew interest from top programs around the nation as she wrapped her high school career with the Denver City school records in kills (2,758), blocks (753), and assists (1,813). She was selected to play on the west squad in the 2010 TGCA All-Star game and earned recognition on the organization's academic all-state team as well. David has also earned numerous district and regional accolades as a four-year letterwinner on the school's varsity basketball and track teams.
She is the daughter of former Red Raider volleyball standout, Megan David, who helped set the early standard during her playing career in 1980-83. The then Megan McGuire remains one of the career leaders in every blocking category, while her 190 block assists and 235 total blocks in 1983 are still the single-season high in school history. Megan David is currently the head volleyball coach at Denver City High School.
Her father, Stan David, also starred at linebacker on the Tech football squad during the same time period before going on to a four-year career with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.
"Bree comes to Texas Tech as a legacy in the athletic department, with both her parents being former student-athletes," Flora said. "Her impact is in her ability to be an elite attacker within the conference and the nation. Her overall athletic ability will need to be matched by her ability to learn and develop within our systems, but we believe her impact will be felt within this program immediately."
Mills and Podraza, meanwhile, hail from Flora's home state of California. The duo, along with Prior-Newburn, will help fill the gap in the middle from the departures of graduating seniors Barbara Conceicao and Alexxa Roberts.
Podraza was the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division II Player of the Year in 2010. She was also a two-time first team all-league and all-section CIF honoree for Scripps Ranch High School while also playing with the Epic Volleyball Club.
"Sam has a grasp of her strengths and that will allow her to come in and make an early impact," added Flora. "Having played the game for many years, Sam's knowledge and true athletic ability will allow her to compete at a high level. She is a tremendous one-foot attacker and has a skill set that will allow her to play any offensive position."
As Tech's other signee from The Goldon State, Mills will arrive in Lubbock after a successful playing career at Etiwanda High School where the standout was a regular in the middle, earning second team all-league honors in 2010.
"Having only played the game of volleyball at an elite level for a short period of time, we believe that Mikia's potential is endless," Flora said. "She is a fantastic learner and student in the classroom, so those traits will allow her to fit well into this volleyball environment of learning day to day. Mikia has numerous traits of an elite volleyball player."
Prior-Newburn was an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) watch list member prior to her senior season where she eventually went on to earn first team All-Continental League accolades. She was a second team member the year before.
"Brogan is a very complete and well trained middle blocker," Flora said. "Brogan has the opportunity to truly grow in this system as an athlete and as a player of the game. She brings a high IQ of volleyball and truly wants to reach her potential."
All four signees will be on the court when Texas Tech kicks off its first season under Flora next August. The Red Raiders are tentatively scheduled to begin their season Aug. 26-27 at the TCU Tournament in Ft. Worth.
