Nov. 26, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - On the heels of its seventh consecutive season with a .500 or better season, University of Memphis volleyball coach Carrie Yerty announced the addition of three prep talents to the program for the 2008 signing class. Carolyn Baker (Thurgood Marshall High School/Houston), Altrese Hawkins (Hoffman Estates High School/Schaumburg, Ill.) and Casey Sines (Grandville High School/Grandville, Mich.) each signed their National Letter of Intent to wear the Blue and Gray.

"I'm really thrilled to have the opportunity to sign such elite athletes at the University of Memphis," said Yerty. "There is great opportunity for our program to continue to improve with this class. All three are both tremendous athletes and are also good people. I am looking forward to four years of success with this class."

Baker is a three-year letterwinner and two-year captain for Head Coach Toni Smith at Thurgood Marshall High School in Houston. As a senior, Baker was dominant on both sides of the net, averaging 17 kills and 2.3 blocks per match as she earned First Team All-District 23-5A honors. Baker played club volleyball for the Houston Juniors and helped her squad to a third-place finish in the U-16 Girls American Tournament Gold Division.

A two-sport star at Hoffman Estates High School in Schaumburg, Ill., Hawkins was a two-time All-Northwest All-Area team selection as well as being tabbed an All-Conference performer twice. A two-year letterwinner at middle blocker and outside hitter for Head Coach Dan Hutton, Hawkins (who touches 10'3") racked up impressive numbers in her final prep campaign. She slammed a team-high 226 kills, posted a .280 hitting percentage, made 96 digs and added 11 blocks. Hawkins was also a two-year letterwinner as a sprinter on the track. She ran the 55, 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes, as well as participating in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400-meter relays. Hawkins played club volleyball for the Sky High Volleyball Club

Sines joins the Tiger volleyball program after a solid high school career at Grandville High School in Grandville, Mich. At 6-2, she earned three letters for Head Coach Kristyn Lee on the volleyball court, and two on the basketball hardwood as a forward and center. In volleyball, Sines was a two-time All-Conference pick, as well as earning All-Region honors as a senior at GHS. Sines played right side hitter, middle blocker and outside hitter for the Bulldogs and totaled 420 kills, 380 digs and 152 blocks in her senior season. She played club for F.a.R.Out Volleyball and helped her team a Girls' 16 National Tournament Gold Division title. Sines received offers from Western Michigan, Grand Valley State and Winthrop.

Yerty and the University of Memphis finished the 2007 season with a 23-12 record--marking the third time in four seasons that the program has compiled over 20 wins.