Nov. 17, 2001

Memphis, TN - University of Memphis head volleyball coach Carrie Yerty announced today the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent to join the 2002 squad.

Lauren Berg, Ashley Green and Nancy Nellans all signed out of high schools in Indiana, while Kristen Hardee and Nan Kimbrell signed from high schools in Texas and Louisiana, respectively.

"I am really excited about the caliber of athleticism and talent that each of these athletes will bring to Tiger Volleyball, said Yerty. "This is one of our strongest recruiting classes in school history. All five of these players have competed at very high levels with their high school and club teams. They will bring added depth and versatility to our game plan.

Lauren Berg signed with the Tigers out of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Ind., where she was a three-year letterwinner for coach Jean Kesterson. Berg helped lead the Fighting Irish to a 68-10 record over the last two years, as well as two state championships.

A 5-6 defensive specialist, Berg totaled 171 digs and 15 service aces last season. She received several honors in her senior season, including first-team all-state and first-team all-city. Berg also hails from a very successful club team which was ranked second in the nation this year. In the last three years, her club squad has been ranked in the top five nationally. In 2001, Berg was named to the Nationals all-tournament team as well as the Indiana Junior all-star. Berg also lettered in tennis and was named the most improved player for the Fighting Irish in 2000.

"Lauren is an outstanding defensive player and a great passer, said Yerty. "She has a great feel for the game. Lauren will be a solid defensive specialist."

Ashley Green signed with the Tigers from Brefeuf Jesuit Prep in Indianapolis, Ind., where she was a three-year letterwinner for coach Brian Murray. In the last two years, Green has helped the Braves to a 58-15 overall record as well as a second-place finish in the Marion County tournament.

A 6-1 right side hitter, Green totaled 405 kills and a .504 hitting mark last season. She received various honors for her efforts this year, including the Indianapolis Star Marion County Player of the Year. The Marion County Coaches Association named Green to their first-team and the Indianapolis Star also named her to their first-team on the Super Team squad. Also a successful club player, Green helped her 2001 USA Junior Olympic squad to a second-place finish. She has twice been named as an ICGSA all-star candidate. Green also ran track one season during her prep career.

"Ashley is a dynamic right-side player who will challenge for the opportunity to take ownership of the right-side position," added Yerty. "She is a great leaper and has an extremely high reach."

Nancy Nellans signed a letter of intent from St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Ind., where she played three years for coach Frank Nemeth. Nellans led the Indians to a 51-14 record the last two years, and has been named her squad's Most Valuable Player in both her junior and senior seasons.

A 5-10 outside hitter, Nellans totaled 338 kills and a .507 hitting percentage last year. She also recorded 43 aces, 183 digs, 88 solo blocks and 61 assisted blocks this past season. She played in the Northern Indiana Junior All-Star game last year, and will play in the Senior All-Star game this summer. As a senior, Nellans has also been honored with the Kiwanis Award and was named to the Munster, Ind. all-tournament team as well as to the first-team all-state squad. For the last two years, Nellans has been the captain and a starter on her club team, and this past season, she earned the MVP award, the spirit award and the leadership award.

"Nancy is a fiery competitor," said Yerty. "She is a very aggressive defensive player and she has the ability to be a terminator from anywhere on the court."

Kristen Hardee joins the Tigers from Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, where she has lettered the last four years under coach Anna Marie Milligan. She has led the Indians to a 44-28 record and two area championships over the last two years. In her final prep season, Hardee was named all-district, all-county and all-mainland Superteam, as well as the Santa Fe High School MVP.

A 5-11 middle blocker, Hardee averaged 2.0 solo and 3.5 assisted blocks last season. Voted the Most Talented in her high school, Hardee has been named to the all-district and all-county teams all four years of her prep career. Her club team won the Tour of Texas finals in 2001 and placed second in the Tampa National Qualifier. Hardee is currently a Sergeant-at-Arms for the National Honor Society. She has also participated in the high jump for two years, qualifying for regionals during her freshman and sophomore seasons.

"Kristen will come to the Tiger program as a middle blocker," said Yerty. "She is a solid passer and defender, and is expected to add more options to our middle attack."

Nan Kimbrell is the final signee announced today, signing out of the Episcopal School of Acadiana in Lafayette, La. A four-year letterwinner for coach Ursula Quyeser, Kimbrell helped lead the Falcons to a 62-15 record and two state championships over the last two years. This past season, Kimbrell was named the MVP of the state tournament.

A 5-10 outside hitter, Kimbrell totaled 525 kills, 249 digs, 55 aces and 72 blocks last season. She has been named all-Acadiana, all-state and all-district three times, and was both the all-district MVP and the all-Acadiana MVP in 2000. Kimbrell is also a three-year letterwinner for the Falcon tennis team. "Nan is a solid outside hitter," said Yerty. "She is a great jumper and will develop into a solid passer and defender. Nan has a great attitude and will be a great leader as she matures."

The Tiger have recently wrapped up their regular season with a 21-9 record and their first 20-win season since 1994. They will face Tulane in the first round of the Conference U