GWU Volleyball Signs Three to a National Letter of Intent
November 25, 2012 | Volleyball
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb volleyball head coach Leo Sayles, in conjunction with the Gardner-Webb athletics department, is pleased to announce the signing of Taylor Lillard (Victorville, California), Emily Steele (Greenville, N.C.) and Brianna Starr (Blue Springs, Missouri) to National Letter of Intents to continue both their academic and athletic careers at Gardner-Webb come Fall 2013.
"We are delighted with the student-athletes who have committed to our 2013 class," head coach Leo Sayles commented. "Their strengths will add to our size and give us much-needed depth at critical positions. All three are well-rounded players, capable of contributing in multiple positions."
Lillard, who hails from Victorville, California where she plays at Victor Valley High School under head coach Jackson Wong, is a four-year varsity letter award winner. She is a four-time All-League selection and a three-time First-Team All-Area honoree. The two-time Team MVP and Hesperia Summer Tournament MVP was named to the All-CIF Team as a junior.
This season, the middle blocker has already led her Jackrabbits to the Desert Sky League Title, as well as a top-10 ranking in the latest CIF-Southern Section polls.
Lillard, who is line for a number of postseason honors once more at the conclusion of this season, was also part of the Club West club teams that qualified at both the 17 and under and the 16 under age groups.
"Taylor is an exceptional athlete who has played all three positions across the front," commented Sayles. "Her versatility will allow her to fill a number of roles, adding depth to our hitting core."
Steele, a 6-2 middle and right side hitter, comes to GWU from J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, N.C. where she played under head coach Norman Cabacar. The three-year letter award winner and two-time team captain played in 209 matches while at Rose High School, posting a school-record 211 blocks over her three years on the varsity squad. Steele, who also registered 629 kills, 244 digs, 68 service aces and 17 assists for the Rampants in her career, was tabbed the Team MVP this season and was also named the WITN Player of the Week on October 23rd.
The 2011 First-Team All-Conference selection led her team to an 18-4 overall record in her senior season in 2012 and is a lock for postseason accolades once they are announced.
As a sophomore, Steele, who led her team to become the 2012 Coastal Conference Champions, was named the J.H. Rose Rookie of the Year, selected to the Great 8 All-Tournament Team and was named as a 2010 Greater Greenville Sports Club Scholar Athlete of the Month.
Steele, who has also been a member of the East Carolina Junior Volleyball Club team for the last six years, is involved in a number of activities and groups off the court, such as the Link Crew, Anchor Club, Dream Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Rose High School Swim Team and volunteers at the Rebuilding Pitt County, the local Homeless Shelter and Food Bank.
"Emily's combination of size and athleticism will help elevate our program," Sayles continued. "Her experience as both a middle and right side will help her settle in to a similar role here at GWU."
Starr comes to GWU from Blue Springs, Missouri where she suited up for Blue Springs High School and head coach Katie Grusing. Starr, who is a multi-sport and letter winner during her time at Blue Springs, had a strong senior season in 2012 in which she was named to the All-State, All-Region, All-Conference and All-District Teams, and also earned a spot on the Under Armour All-American watch list. The senior team captain was also named to the Prepvolleyball.com Hardest Hitter list and earned a spot in the Missouri/Kansas All-Start game.
The four-time All-District and All-Conference volleyball selection is also a track & field standout, where she is also an All-State, All-District and All-Conference honoree and holds the Blue Springs High School record in the triple jump event.
Starr, who has also played for the Invasion Volleyball Club Team that has been consistently ranked nationally by Prepvolelyball.com for the last five years, was part of the team that won the USAV Nationals in the 15 Open Division and placed sixth at the USAV Nationals four straight years.
Off the court, Starr is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of Academic Scholars and a four-time Honor Roll student.
"Bri is an outstanding athlete, and a highly skilled 6-rotation player," Sayles stated. "She comes from a strong winning tradition with her high school and club programs."
GWU, who will lose seniors Dominique Bray, Chelsea Hearne, Molly Rhyne and Carolina Solano due to graduation, will look to continue to improve on last year's season performance, as the 2013 class of Lillard, Steele and Starr will join a group of 13 returners lead by middle blocker Tyler Cockrell, outside hitter Erin Anderson, setter Heather Feldman and libero Anna Pashkova.
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