Nov. 21, 2012
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech signed three high school volleyball players to join the Yellow Jackets in 2013, head coach Tonya Johnson announced Wednesday. The recruiting class includes Rebecca Martin (5’11 setter from Northville, Mich.), London Ackermann (5’8 libero from Louisville, Ky.) and Lauren Pitz (6’2 middle blocker from Carmel, Ind.).
“I’m excited about this class,” Johnson said. “This class will certainly help in changing the culture of our gym. They are all blue collar kids who come from winning programs. I look for all of them to contribute to our program very early in their careers.”
Rebecca Martin | Setter | 5’11 | Northville, Mich./Northville HS
Rebecca Martin is a 5’11 setter and a four-year letterwinner at Northville
High School under the direction of Amanda Yaklin. She led her team to the school’s first ever state Final Four appearance and an overall record of
49-4-4 – the most victories in school history.
She is No. 71 on PrepVolleyball.com’s Senior Aces list and is a 2012-13 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-America honoree. In addition, she was named to the All-Area team by the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers four times (2009-12), the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association All-Conference team three times (2010-12) and the Michigan Class A All-Region team twice (2011, 2012).
In addition to her accomplishments on the high school court, Martin played six seasons with the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy. With Michigan Elite, Martin helped the team to four-straight AAU Michigan State Championships and the team finished 14th in the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Open Championships in 2012.
“Rebecca is a dynamic setter with great hands and a great understanding
of the game,” Johnson said. “I’m excited about the progress she has made since her commitment to our program.”
London Ackermann | Libero | 5’8 | Louisville, Ky./Assumption HS
London Ackermann is a four-year member of the Assumption High School volleyball team under head coach Ron Kordes. She captained the 2012 varsity team and helped lead the Rockets to three state championships (2010-12).
The team finished the 2012 season with a 41-2 record, and a No. 1 ranking in the state of Kentucky and No. 5 in the country by MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings.
She was named to the AAU Volleyball All-American Team in 2009 and 2010, as well as the 2012 Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s (KHSAA) All-Region Team and All-State Second Team. The libero is also listed in “The 150” on the 2013 PrepVolleyball.com Senior Aces list.
“London comes from one of if not the best high school program in the country in Assumption HS,” Johnson said. “She brings toughness and a great competitive spirit to the libero position.”
Lauren Pitz | Middle Blocker | 6’2 | Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS
A four-year letterwinner and two-year captain of the Carmel High School volleyball team, Lauren Pitz led her team to the school’s first ever state volleyball championship game in 2012. The Greyhounds fell in five sets to Avon in the state championship match and finished the season 37-2.
Pitz tallied 243 kills, 2.4 kills per set and 132 blocks, including 45 solo stuffs in her senior year. She was selected to the 2012-13 Under Armour All-America second team and the all-state team for the second time (2011, 2012).
The middle blocker is a three-time all-county and all-conference selection, as well as a 2011 and 2012 Indy Star Super Team honoree. She is listed in “The 150” on the 2013 PrepVolleyball.com Senior Aces list and was named a 2012 “Player to Watch” by the Indianapolis Star.
“Lauren will help add physicality and depth to our middle blocker position,” Johnson said. “Her size will help us a lot, especially from a blocking perspective.”
