April 25, 2006

West Texas A&M University head volleyball coach Tony Graystone has added two more signings to the 2006 recruiting class, as the Lady Buffs signed Jessica Tuttle from Mesquite, Texas as a middle blocker and outside hitter and Tamara Fowler from Rio Rancho, New Mexico as a middle blocker and outside hitter.

Tuttle is a 5-11 middle blocker and outside hitter, who comes to the Lady Buffs from Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas. Tuttle was selected to the All-State team and was her District MVP this past season. Tuttle was also awarded Academic All-State in this past season as well. Fowler is a 5-9 middle blocker and outside hitter that comes to WTAMU from Rio Rancho High School in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Fowler twice won state championships in New Mexico and was also named to the 2005 All-State team.

"Jessica is a player that shows a lot of promise and has very good ball control," Graystone stated. "Although she was a great player in the middle in high school, we will take some time to decide the best place for her to play in college."

"Jessica had shoulder surgery in March, but is expected to have a full recovery by the time fall work outs get here. We will be excited to have her here because she knows how to score points," Graystone said.

"Tamara is a truly explosive player with one of the biggest vertical leaps we have ever seen," stated Graystone. "She has a very good arm swing and can put a lot of heat on the ball which will eventually make her a very good offensive player."

"Tamara has spent most of her time in the middle while in high school but did play some outside hitter. Our biggest challenge will be deciding where to play her as she is a good player in the middle but we think her true calling will be on the outside," stated Graystone.

WTAMU finished the season with a 27-10 overall record after being eliminated from the NCAA-II Southwest Regional by Metro State College. This was the 10th time in the last 11 seasons that the Lady Buffs have reached the 20-win plateau.

2006 Lady Buff Volleyball Signing Class

Dana Kabetzke DS 5-7 Amarillo, Texas / Randall High School

Laura Prinsen RS 5-11 Spring, Texas / Klein High School

Melissa Harper MB 6-0 Peoria, Ariz. / Peoria High School

Danielle Hartley OH 5-10 Wichita, Kan. / Wichita North High School

Katie Rickwartz S 5-9 Canyon, Texas / Canyon High School

Natalie Johnson OH 6-1 Cortez, Colo. / Montezuma High School

Jessica Tuttle MB/OH 5-11 Mesquite, Texas / Poteet High School

Tamara Fowler MB/OH 5-9 Rio Rancho, N. Mexico / Rio Rancho High School