Rader Announces Seven Signees for 2012
WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury Volleyball Head Coach JP Rader has announced the signing of seven student-athletes for the 2012 class. The class includes three players added to the varsity team and four to the JV squad.
Two of the three varsity players hail from Kentucky, Courtney Baker from Christian County High School and Morgan Newton from Christian Academy of Louisville. Kelli Crouse joins the team from Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City, N.C.
"I am excited about the 2012 class coming in this fall,” Rader said. “With 12 returning players there were very few openings but I feel that the three varsity recruits Kelli Crouse, Courtney Baker and Morgan Newton will all contribute immediately in what should be an outstanding season."
Three out of the four JV players are not only from Kentucky but local kids as Anne-Haley Pendleton (Woodford County High School), Lisa Troyer (West Jessamine High School) and Halee Beazley (East Jessamine High School) join the team. Nicole Pegram from Boscobel High School in Boscobel, Wis. will also play for the Eagles in 2012.
Asbury is coming off of their second straight Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) title, winning a share of the regular season championship after a 14-1 campaign. The Eagles also a school-record 44 matches during the year, the most for any program in collegiate volleyball last year.
Courtney Baker (Crofton, Ky. / Christian County High School)
A 5-10 outside hitter, Baker helped the Colonels to four straight district titles in her four years under Coach Rick Erickson. Baker was twice named an All-District selection, in 2010 and 2011 and was an All-Region selection as a senior. Her father, Greg, played football for Western Kentucky University.
Morgan Newton (Louisville, Ky. / Christian Academy of Louisville)
A 5-9 middle hitter, Newton led the Lady Centurions to the 28th District Championship in 2011, posting a 21-5 overall record in the process. Newton also played club volleyball for MAVA 18 Elite, winning the Gold Championship at three tournaments in 2012.
Kelli Crouse (Elizabeth City, N.C. / Northeastern High School)
Crouse follows her two brothers to Asbury (Patrick played basketball and Jordan was on the swim team) and her dad who played soccer and tennis. Crouse was a three-time All-Conference selection at Northeastern High and won the coaches award three times. She also played basketball, soccer and softball. Crouse was a member of Coastal VA club team, winning an national bid from the Old Dominion Region. She is expected to contribute as a left-side hitter and a defensive specialist.
Anne-Haley Pendleton (Versailles, Ky. / Woodford County High School)
Pendleton, a left-side hitter and defensive specialist, played two years for Lindsey Dettwiller at Woodford County. She led the team in digs in helping the Yellow Jackets to a 21-17 record and a second place finish in the 41st District. Pendleton was an All-District and All-Region selection.
Lisa Troyer (Wilmore, Ky. / West Jessamine High School)
Troyer joins her brother Randy as an athlete at Asbury, Randy is a senior on the soccer team. She spent three years on the varsity team at West, the final year playing for Debbie Rose. Troyer was a 42nd District All-Tournament Team selection in 2011 and was named the best hitter on the team as a senior. She was also named best offensive player in 2009, as a sophomore. Troyer also participated in track and field.
Halee Beazley (Nicholasville, Ky. / East Jessamine High School)
Beazley joins the Eagles after playing for Steve Schweitzer at East Jessamine for three years. She will play left-side and will also be looked at as a libero for the JV squad. Beazley also ran track and cross country for the Jaguars.
Nicole Pegram (Boscobel, Wis. / Boscobel High School)
A 5-10 left-side hitter, Pegram spent three years on the Boscobel varsity team and was named MVP by her teammates as a senior. She led the team in kills as a junior and in blocks as a junior and senior. Pegram also led the Bulldogs in service aces as a junior and senior. She also played basketball and softball at Boscobel High, garnering seven Academic All-Conference awards. Pegram played club for Top Tier VBC and led the team in aces and blocks.
