ATLANTA – With the hopes of building upon its 2000 ACC regular season title, head coach Shelton Collier announced Monday the signing of four players, including two all-Americas, who will join the squad in 2001.
The Yellow Jackets add Jayme Gergen (Topeka, Kan.), a 5-11 middle blocker, Laura Kuhn (Tifton, Ohio), a 6-0 middle blocker, Lynnette Moster (Liberty, Ind.), a 5-9 outside hitter, and Lauren Sauer (Huntsville, Ala.), a 6-4 outside hitter to add to a squad which will return five starters in the 2001 season.
“We really filled our needs with this recruiting class, and I am confident that we will have a great chance to be nationally competitive next season with these players playing key roles,” said head coach Shelton Collier.
Gergen, a first-team all-state selection her senior year, helped Washburn Rural High to the state semi-finals. An exceptional athlete with a powerful swing and excellent jump, Gergen also excelled in basketball while in high school, and carries a 4.2 grade point average.
“I am very excited about having Jayme with our team,” said Collier. “She is an explosive and dynamic athlete who plays with a lot of enthusiasm. She will be an excellent middle blocker for us and I feel lucky to have her coming here to play.”
Kuhn, a 2000 Junior Olympic all-America as a member of the Toledo Volleyball Club, is a strong, physical player who will add depth for the Jackets at the middle blocker position. A member of the Ohio all-state team, Kuhn also was a star in basketball while in high school.
“Laura has the potential to be an exceptional middle blocker at Georgia Tech.,” said Collier. “I was able to see her at our camp this summer, and I believe she has the skills and the physical ability to play a key role as a freshman.”
Moster, a two-time Junior Olympic all-America for the Munciana club team in 1998 and 1999, is an experienced outside hitter who has been involved with competitive volleyball since the fifth grade. She earned first-team all state honors as a senior in helping Union County to the state finals, losing to nationally ranked Muncie-Burris.
“Of our four incoming players, Lynnette is the most higly skilled and experienced player,” said Collier. “She has played very high level volleyball for many years, and with these skills and experience I expect her to impact our team even as a freshman.”
Sauer, considered one of the nations most sought after outside hitters, chose Georgia Tech over a host of Final Four and Top 10 level programs. She earned first team all-state honors in Alabama as a junior and senior at Grissom High School and plays for the Rocket City club program. As a sophomore, she was named the South Carolina Player of the Year.
“I believe that Lauren is one of the most high potential players I have ever recruited,” said Collier. “She is very athletic and determined, and I expect that she will quickly be a dominant player in our program.”
“I am very excited about this years class,” said Collier. “I really like their athletic potential and their competitive spirit. I expect great things from all four of them.”
