Huskies Sign Two Elite Preps For 2011 Season
November 12, 2010 | Volleyball
Nov. 12, 2010
SEATTLE - Washington volleyball Head Coach Jim McLaughlin today announced the signing of two of the most dynamic and accomplished seniors in the nation, Summer Ross and Krista Vansant, who will join the Husky Volleyball family for the 2011 season. Both outside hitters, Vansant has been rated the top senior in the country by PrepVolleyball.com and Ross is one of the world's foremost junior beach volleyball stars.
"We are excited about both of these players," says McLaughlin. "These two young ladies are extremely talented and we feel this is a special recruiting class for us. Both Krista and Summer already play the game at a very high level and with hard work, mindful training and a commitment to the process, they will play at the highest level one day."
Along with natural ability, McLaughlin believes that "Each of them has those special qualities, both as players and as people, that will allow them to be successful in volleyball now and in whatever they undertake down the road. Both come from tremendous families so there is a reason they are both such complete individuals already."
Vansant is the No. 1-ranked senior in the nation according to PrepVolleyball.com, from its 2010 season preview in September. The Redlands, California native has led Redlands East Valley High School to three-straight California CIF titles, four-straight Citrus Belt League titles, and two California state runner-up finishes.
She was named one of 25 Underclassmen To Watch in spring of 2010 by Volleyball Magazine, and was also named National Sophomore of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com after the 2008 season. In 2008, Vansant was selected to the U.S. Girls' Youth National Training Team.
"Krista has all the ability in the world," McLaughlin says. "She demonstrates great ball control, has a wonderful feel for the game, has a strong arm and loves to compete. From the start, there was something very special about Krista that jumped out at us and it wasn't just her obvious skills on the court."
Competing for the Rancho Valley Club Team and coach Danny Scott, Vansant helped lead the team to a silver medal at the 2010 USA Junior Nationals 18-Open division in Reno and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
"Washington was the best choice for me because of the incredible coaches, the great program, the motivation that the players have, the school's beauty, and the whole city of Seattle! I love it up there and I cannot wait to get up there! I think about it every day!" says Vansant, about to lead her team on another postseason run. "I knew it was right after my first visit but I wanted to wait until after camp so I knew Jim's coaching style first hand. After camp, I told them I was ready to commit, and the reaction I got from them proved to me that I had made the right choice."
Ross, a native of Carlsbad, California, is now widely considered to be the best junior beach volleyball player in the world. She made that reputation this past summer when she captured the FIVB World Youth Championship for 19-and-under players in Portugal, and then followed that six weeks later with a win in the FIVB World Junior Championships in Turkey, which extends up to 21-and-under. All this for a 17-year-old.
 Summer Ross is the reigning World Youth and World Junior Beach Volleyball Champion at just 17 years old.  |
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She became the first athlete, male or female, to ever win both World titles in the same year, and accomplished it with a different partner in each. Sports Illustrated featured Ross in their "Faces In The Crowd" section after the World Junior title. In 2008, Ross also qualified for the main draw of the AVP Manhattan Beach Open, one of the most prestigious beach tournaments, with her and her partner becoming the youngest duo ever to make the main draw of an AVP event.
"When I came up to visit, Coaches Jim, Tui, and Keno made me feel really excited to play volleyball for Washington," says Ross. "Past and present players love Jim McLaughlin, and I believe he can make me the best player I can be. Also, the athletic staff is awesome, the team is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the fans are great." She adds, "Of course, I love dogs and my favorite color is purple. UW is a fantastic fit for me."
Though she has shown star potential on the sand, Ross has also excelled indoors as well. PrepVolleyball.com rated her the No. 15 "Senior Ace" on the same list that featured Vansant in the top spot.
"Summer has tremendous ability and there isn't anything she won't be able to do in time. She is a very smooth player who has an outstanding volleyball IQ at this point in her career. She has a wonderful all-around game and will be a great addition to our program," says McLaughlin.
"Together, Krista and Summer will make each other better and, with their skills, they will make those around them better as well. We feel extremely fortunate to have both of them coming here and I can't wait to get them in the gym and coach them."
