December 03, 2008
Eagles announce early signings
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team announced that 5'8" setter Ashley King (Columbus, Indiana) and 5'7" outside hitter/defensive specialist Abbi Williams (Louisville, Kentucky) have signed national letters of intent to play for Head Coach Leah Mercer's Screaming Eagles in 2009.
King is currently a senior at Columbus North High School (Columbus) where she has earned seven varsity letters in volleyball and track and field.
In 2008, King was 11th in the Indiana High School Athletic Association with 9.49 assists per game. She earned All-Conference Indiana honors and was named to the Indiana South All-Star team.
King, who set the school record for assists in 2006, 2007, and 2008, also helped lead CNHS to a 25-9 overall record, 7-0 CI, and the 2008 Conference Indiana title.
"Ashley brings championship experience to our program," Mercer said. "She brings added depth and competition to our setter position and will raise our level of play."
Williams is currently a senior at nationally-ranked Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) where she has earned eight varsity letters in volleyball and track.
This past fall, Williams helped SHA to a 29-10 overall record, a national ranking of 18th, and to the KHSAA State Championship match, where it fell to national-powerhouse Mercy Academy. Williams, who was named to KHSAA State All-Tournament team, earned second-team All-State honors.
"Abbi comes from a nationally-renowned high school program that has always competed at one of the highest levels in the country," Mercer said. "She is a great athlete who brings all the intangibles to the outside hitter and defensive specialist positions."
King and Williams will join a solid group of returning players at USI. The Eagles were 18-14 in 2008 and advanced to the GLVC Championship match for the sixth time in nine years.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
