Nov. 18, 2008
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ATLANTA – Four student-athletes, including a 2008 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American, have committed to play volleyball at Georgia Tech next year, head coach Bond Shymansky announced Wednesday.
The recruiting class, assembled under the direction of Shymansky with assistance from associate head coach Ben Bodipo-Memba and assistant coach Jennifer Carey, includes a setter, an outside hitter, a right-side hitter and a defensive specialist. Two of the recruits are rated among the top 85 high school recruits in the nation according to Prepvolleyball.com, and three are listed as 2008 “Senior Aces.”
Georgia Tech’s commitments include outside hitter Susan Carlson (Pasadena, Calif./Mayfield High School), a member of the SCVC club team that ended the 2008 season ranked No. 6 in the nation, setter Jordan Kissman (Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest), whose Front Range club team finished at No. 12 in the national rankings, right-side hitter Monique “Mo” Mead (Fairburn, Ga./Landmark Christian), a 2008 AVCA All-American and member of the A5 club team that captured the 18U National division title at the 2008 Junior Olympic Championships, and Nicki Meyer (Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz), whose high school team captured the state title in 2007.
Carlson, Kissman and Meyer have all signed National Letters of Intent, while Mead has inked a financial aid agreement and will enroll next semester (Spring, 2009).
“This class of 2009 will certainly be one of the best in the nation as well as the ACC,” Shymansky said. “We have always had great success recruiting at Georgia Tech, and we are showing no signs of slowing down. I am just as proud of the academic capabilities that this class has as I am of their athletics abilities. We strive to provide the best all-around experience we can for our student-athletes, and this group will certainly take full advantage of the opportunity.”
A detailed look at Georgia Tech’s signees:
SUSAN CARLSON (Outside Hitter, 5-11, Pasadena, Calif./Mayfield/SCVC)
Carlson is ranked No. 82 on the 2008 PrepVolleyball.com “Senior Aces” list and plays both indoor and beach volleyball. A member of the 2007 USA Volleyball 15 Open Champion SCVC team, Carlson has also participated on the USA Beach Junior Volleyball 19U training squad. She was the 2008 CIF Area IV Player of the Year after being named to the Pasadena Star-News All-Area first team in 2007 and the CIF Area IV first team as a sophomore in 2006. Carlson is an all-around player on the court with a variety of shots on the offensive side of the ball as well as outstanding passing and defense. She also possesses a big jump serve that complements the rest of her game.
Shymansky on Carlson: “Every coach wants an outside hitter who has a complete game. Susan can pass, dig, hit, block and serve with precision, power and perfection. Her court sense and her volleyball I.Q. will make her an invaluable part of our program and a key to our future success. Her beach volleyball skills have transferred very well to the indoor game. Her movement is easy and efficient, her vision and anticipation is sharp, and her tenacity and work ethic make her a winner. Most of all, Susan is an outgoing and energetic person. She will be a pleasure to have in our volleyball program and provide a boost of excitement.”
JORDAN KISSMAN (Setter, 5-10, Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest/Front Range)
Kissman, a finalist for PrepVolleyball.com’s Sophomore of the Year award in 2006, played for two-time state champion Eaglecrest High School and is listed in the top-250 on PrepVolleyball.com’s 2008 “Senior Aces” list. A two-time Colorado 5A all-state honoree, the setter/outside hitter was tabbed to the Colorado 5A All-Tournament Team and Centennial All-League Team in 2007. Kissman has led her prep team to a No. 4 Century Club ranking, Prepvolleyball.com’s top national high school listing, and Eaglecrest has appeared in the Century Club standings each of the last three seasons with her running its offense.
Shymansky on Kissman: “Jordan is a versatile and gritty volleyball player. Those are two key elements for being successful as a setter. She has shown her ability to lead a team to victory many times during her high school career, and we are expecting her to bring that winning work ethic and attitude to Georgia Tech. Jordan is fast, strong and smart. She understands offensive systems and is a hard nosed competitor. Jordan has a strong sense of loyalty and commitment and will certainly do whatever is asked to help make the team better. Just like her other 2009 classmates, Jordan is very talented in the classroom. I know that will translate into intelligent play on the court. Jordan will be another key piece to the class of 2009 and the future success of our program.”
MONIQUE MEAD (Right Side, 5-10, Fairburn, Ga./Landmark Christian/A5)
Mead is rated No. 38 on the 2008 PrepVolleyball.com “Senior Aces” list and has a powerful left-handed swing in addition to an extraordinary wingspan. One of the “Top 50 Recruits” for the class of 2009 as published by PrepVolleyball.com in 2007, Mead received all-state honors as a junior and is the only junior volleyball player in state history to play on two national championship club teams. She helped her A5 Mizuno 18 club team to the 18U National division title at the 2008 Junior Olympic Championships as an outside hitter one year after leading her A5 Mizuno 16 squad to the 16U America division title at the 2007 Junior Olympic Championships. Playing on the right side for the 16 Mizuno squad, Mead was named the MVP of the 16U America division at the 2007 Junior Olympic Championships. Mead is a converted left-handed setter than can attack from either side of the court, has the ability to touch 10 feet, and is excellent on the block. A 2008 AVCA Under Armour Second Team All-American, she is expected to graduate early and will enroll at Georgia Tech this spring.
Shymansky on Mead: “Monique is such a dynamic athlete and player. Even though she started her playing career as a setter, she has quickly adapted into a hitting and blocking role. Since she is left handed, she is a natural fit for the right side position. I have no doubt about her physical abilities and her opportunity to make a huge impact on our team right away. Since she is graduating high school early and enrolling at Georgia Tech this spring, Mo will have the chance to get a spring season under her belt. That preparation should be a big advantage for our team for the 2009 fall season. Mo is not only athletically talented, but she is also academically gifted. I really appreciate those players in our program who have elevated their mental abilities as well as their physical ones. Finally, Monique has a personality that is equally as dynamic as her athleticism. Since she is an Atlanta native, she will quickly become a hometown favorite as a Yellow Jacket.”
NICKI MEYER (Libero, 5-6, Gainesville, Fla./Bucholz/Gainesville Juniors)
An honorable mention Defensive Dandy by PrepVolleyball.com in 2007, Nicki Meyer was the lone senior on the Buchholz High School squad that advanced to the regional final in 2008. Meyer, the daughter of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer, was the libero for Buchholz’s 6A state championship team in 2007 and has been coached by Jeff Reavis, also the head coach of the Gainesville Juniors club program to which she belongs. She’s an elite athlete with great speed and athleticism that is expected to be a valuable addition on Tech’s back row following the graduation of 2008 seniors Michelle Kandell and Stephanie Robbins.
Shymansky on Meyer: “Nicki is a tremendous athlete and has a fearless approach to defense. Her quick reflexes and tenacious competitiveness will be a boost to our program. She has helped her high school team to three great seasons, including one state championship, as the starting libero. Nicki has proven that she is a winner and will be expected to continue those winning ways here at Tech. It’s not often that a coach notices a libero when recruiting, as we are often drawn to the tallest players in the gym. But Nicki’s skill and agility were dazzling every time I watched her play. It was easy to see the impact that she can have on the game, and we are excited about what she will add to our success.”
2009 Georgia Tech Signees
Name Pos. Ht. Hometown (High School/Club)Susan Carlson OH 5-11 Pasadena, Calif. (Mayfield/SCVC)Jordan Kissman S 5-10 Aurora, Colo. (Eaglecrest/Front Range)Monique Mead RS/S 5-10 Fairburn, Ga. (Landmark Christian/A5)Nicki Meyer Lib. 5-6 Gainesville, Fla. (Bucholz/Gainesville Juniors)
