June 24, 2003

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- - The University of Memphis volleyball team rounded out its 2003 recruiting class when Jennie Toronto from Highland High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play college volleyball at The University of Memphis, Tuesday.

"Jennie is a real positive person that will add depth to the right and left sides," Head Coach Carrie Yerty said. "She is a solid passer and defender and will be focusing on making the transition from high school to the Division I game."

Toronto was a second team all-state and all-region honoree in 2000 and was a first team all-region player in 2001. Her Highland High School team finished second in the region and third in the state last season and Toronto earned second team all-state honors.

A 5-10 outside/right side hitter, Toronto is the daughter of Tom and Catherine Toronto. She is also the niece of Caroline Toronto, an All-America honoree in track and field at the University of Utah. A member of the student senate, the junior choir and the honor roll, Toronto was coached in high school by Kim Norman. Norman was also the high school coach of Logan Tom, the two-time AVCA National Player of the Year at Stanford and a member of the U.S. National Team.

Toronto is the fifth newcomer for the 2003 roster, joining Emily Steckel (Santa Clarita, Calif./Hart HS), setter Hristina Stancheva (Sofia, Bulgaria/First English), who enrolled in school in January, Christen Clayton (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake HS), and Melissa Nance (Frankfort, Ind./Clinton Prairie).

Toronto also becomes the second Salt Lake City native to join Memphis. Rising junior Heather Watts, the Tigers' returning starter at setter, was a graduate of Skyline High School. Watts was a Verizon Academic All-District IV honoree and finished the season with 1,575 assists, the second-high single season mark in school history.

Memphis opens its volleyball season on the road at the Arkansas State tournament, Aug. 29-30. The Tigers will face UALR, Eastern Kentucky, UT-Martin, Northwestern State and host Arkansas State in that tournament. Memphis hosts its own home tournament Sept. 12-13, featuring Louisiana-Lafayette, Holy Cross and Tennessee Tech. The Tigers open their Conference USA schedule on the road at Saint Louis, Oct. 3rd at 7 p.m.