SarahBishop

Sarah Bishop

KariCrump

Kari Crump

HannahHicks

Hannah Hicks

Howard Payne University volleyball head coach Ken Carver announced the addition of three new players to the Lady Jacket volleyball family on Friday.

The three players making up the 2010 recruiting class include:

  • Sarah Bishop – Outside Hitter – Lampasas, TX (Lampasas HS)
  • Kari Crump – Setter – Amarillo, TX (Arbor Christian Academy)
  • Hannah Hicks – Middle/Outside Hitter – Flower Mound, TX (Coram Deo Academy)

 

Sarah Bishop comes to Howard Payne after being a 4-year member of the Lampasas Badger volleyball program.  A 3-time All-District and 4-time Academic All-District honoree, Sarah capped off her stellar volleyball career by being named to the All-Area 1st team as a senior.  Bishop also garnered individual awards as the team’s MVP, Best Hitter and Best Serve Reception as a senior.

“Sarah brings a lot of versatility to our program,” said Coach Carver.  “She has experience at outside, right side, setter and defensive specialist. Sarah brings solid ball control and a very aggressive jump serve to the table and will help add depth to our outside hitters.  She plays with a lot of enthusiasm that’s contagious and helps inspires her teammates and keeps them loose on the court.”

Kari Crump joins the HPU Lady Jacket program after an outstanding career at Arbor Christian Academy in Amarillo, Texas.  As the starting setter for the past three years, Kari helped lead the Arbor Christian program to new heights.  After finishing as state runner-up in the TAPPS 2A championship match as a junior, Kari and her teammates rededicated themselves and captured the 2009 TAPPS 2A state championship.  During those back-to-back state championship appearances, Kari was twice named to the All-State Tournament Team and All-State Academic Team.  Additionally, as a senior co-captain of the team, Kari was named 1st Team All-State, MVP of her team and was a member of the TAPPS All-Star team.

“Kari has experienced a lot of success as a player and has been an influential leader on those teams,” said Carver.  “Kari shows a high degree of volleyball IQ and is very smart as a setter.  She understands who needs to get the ball and when during the course of a match.  I really like her consistency with which she sets and look forward to having her on the court helping to take our offense to new heights.”

Hannah Hicks comes to Howard Payne as the “biggest” recruit in the 2010 class. At 6’0”, Hannah will help increase the blocking presence of the team’s front row players. While at Coram Deo Academy, Hannah was a multiple sport athlete participating in volleyball, basketball, track and softball.  A talented athlete, Hannah earned honors and recognitions in all of those sports.  As a senior, Hannah was named 1st Team All-District in volleyball and basketball as well as to the All-State Academic Team for basketball. Twice during her career she was honored as Coram Deo’s Female Athlete of the Year.  Similar to Sarah and Kari, Hannah capped an outstanding high school career by graduating with honors.

“I’m excited to be able to add an athlete like Hannah to our program,” shared Carver. “She’s a talented athlete who given the opportunity to focus and concentrate on one sport in college should really allow her athleticism to shine through and develop.  Hannah will be a big blocking presence at the net and will help strengthen our team’s overall defensive effort.  While we’re looking at Hannah to see time in the middle, her abilities and athleticism will allow us to utilize her at any of the three front row positions.”

The Lady Jacket volleyball team will be returning 9 players, 5 of which were starters, from the 2009 roster which ended up with an overall record of 12-17.  The 2010 volleyball season will kick off over the Labor Day weekend with the team opening up play in Norfolk, Virginia at the Virginia Wesleyan College Invitational.  The first home match will be September 14 at 7:00 pm against McMurry University.