April 16, 2010
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech Volleyball Head Coach Tonya Johnson has announced that Kaleigh Colson and Ivona Kolak have signed national letters of intent during the spring signing period and will enroll at Georgia Tech for the fall semester. Colson is a 5-10 setter from Austin, Texas and Kolak is a 5-11 outside hitter from Kastel Gomilica, Croatia.
Colson and Kolak join Quinn Evans and Jennifer Percy, who signed during the fall signing period.
“We’re very excited to welcome Kaliegh and Ivona to the Yellow Jacket Volleyball family,” said Johnson. “They have both played at a high level and I look for each of them to add a great deal of competitiveness to our gym. Both will contribute to our success on the court and in the classroom.”
Colson was a four-year letterwinner for Coach Kate Zora at Westwood High School in Austin, Texas. In 2009, she helped lead her team to a district championship and they were state quarterfinalist. Westwood won area championships three times while Colson was there, a regional quarterfinal appearance in 2008 and regional semi-final in 2007.
“Kaleigh has competed and been very successful with every program she has been involved with,” added Johnson. “She brings a great deal of experience and leadership qualities that a setter should possess.”
Colson was a finalist in 2010 for the Andy Collins Award as National Setter of the Year and was a PrepVolleyball.com All-American in 2009. She was a honorable mention AVCA All-American in 2009, two-time Texas Sports Writer’s Association All-State pick, two-time Austin American Statesman All-Central Texas first team and a three-time District 16-5A Outstanding Setter. Other accolades for Colson include Texas Girl’s Association All-State (2009), Lonestarvolleyball.com Texas’s Most Outstanding Setter (2009), Lonestarvolleyball.com All-Texas (2009), Nike Pearland VB Classic Tournament Most Outstanding Setter (2009) and Prepvolleyball.com Soph 79 (2007).
Colson is ranked third all-time nationally with 4,958 assists and holds school records for career aces (250), career assists (4,958), single-match assists (56 in 2006) and single-season assists (1,441 in 2009). She has qualified for the Junior Olympics the past seven seasons and finished third in 2009. Colson was also an Academic All-State in 2009, three-time Academic All-District and member of the National Honors Society. Colson plays for the Austin Juniors Club Team.
Kolak played seven seasons for Coach Branko Draganic of the OK Marina Kastela Club Team. She attended the Tourist Management and Hospitality School. In 2008, Kolak helped lead her club to a third-place finish at the Under-18 National Championship and fourth-place in the I.B. League. In 2010, she was part of a second-place finish in the I.B. League.
“Ivona also brings a great deal of success and experience to our program,” said Johnson. “She will provide much needed depth on the pins and in the back row as a six rotation player.”
Kolak was the recipient of the 2007-2008 Best Student in the Generation Award and also named Best Student in the Class for 2008-09.
