ANDERSON, S.C. – This is part one of a three-part series previewing the 2019 Anderson University volleyball season. Part one takes a detailed look at the four freshmen who will be on the court for the Trojans this season.
Taylor Weber (OH/RS)
Covenant Day
Charlotte, N.C.
(Missed senior season due to an injury)
• 2017 Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association Player of the Year
• 2015 All-Conference / 2016 Matthews Mint-Hill Weekly Super Team 2nd Team
• Played for Carolina Union Volleyball Club
Head Coach Todd Hay: "Taylor brings a lot of athleticism and physicality to our front line. She has a strong vertical and can attack effectively at either pin. I especially like her length on her blocking and the ability to help us take away part of the court. She impressed us with her back row play and has a strong desire to be a full six rotation player."
Alexandra Petrilli (DS/OH)
St. Augustine, Fla.
St. Augustine High School
• Four-year team MVP for St. Augustine's varsity squad
• Recorded more than 1,000 career kills in high school
• Helped lead Yellow Jackets to the 2016 district title
• Two-time AAU Academic All-American, Magna Cum Laude graduate, Phi Theta Kappa member
• Played for Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association
Head Coach Todd Hay: "Alex is one of the best all-around players I have ever recruited. She will bring quickness and a strong volleyball IQ to our back row. She could be called upon as an attacker if need be, but her strength will be as a Defensive Specialist/Libero."
Lindsay McCurley (DS/L)
Simpsonville, S.C.
Woodmont High School
• South Carolina High School League North/South All-Star Participant
• Team MVP / Team Captain for the Wildcats
• Palmetto Fellows National Honor Society
• Played for Upward Stars Volleyball Club
Head Coach Todd Hay: "Lindsay brings a strong, competitive drive with excellent ball control on serve-receive. I have always admired her consistency on defense and steady demeanor on the court. She may also see time at the libero position this season."
Megan Harding (DS/OH)
Westminster Catawba Christian
York, S.C.
• All-Conference selection during her senior year
• Voted team captain as a junior and senior, as well as best all-around player for the Indians.
• Five-time Athlete of the Year for Westminster Catawba Christian
• Received Distinguished Christian High School Student award for athletics, fine arts, and academics as a sophomore.
Head Coach Todd Hay: "Megan came to us very late in the recruiting process, but stood out as someone that I believe can help us improve the depth and competiveness of our program. She possesses very good overall athleticism with a long reach and quick reaction. While primarily used as a front row player in high school, she will focus more on the back row with us this year. However, she can provide immediate depth as a back-up attacker during practices and scrimmages."
Head Coach Todd Hay on the freshman class: "I'm very pleased with our incoming freshmen and the athleticism, competiveness and team first mentality that they possess. We definitely increased the overall height of the team in the front row and back row and I expect great things from these freshmen moving forward. All the DS/L's were attackers in high school. I've been impressed with their length and reach when I watched them play back row during the club season. Even though we only added one true attacker in 2019 in [Taylor] Weber, I believe that this class will be a solid all-around core for us in the coming years. When you combine this class with our returners and those committed in 2020, the future of AU Trojan volleyball looks very bright and I couldn't be more pleased."
Part two of the 2019 volleyball season preview will take a look at the hitters and setters.