University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Inks Three During the Early Signing Period
11/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 17, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss volleyball coach Abbey Sutherland announced the signing of Kristen Fleming of Columbus, Ga., Jasmine Crowell of Gulf Breeze, Fla., and Emily Sears of Ashburn, Va., to a national letters of intent and grant-in-aids for the 2011 season.
"All three are athletes, great students, and well-rounded individuals that will fit in with our team's dynamic," Sutherland said.
Fleming, a 5-9 setter, played at Columbus High School where she was a four-year letterwinner for her mother, Donna Fleming. She helped guide her team to a state championship in 2007, runner-up in 2009 and a third place finish in 2008 and 2010. Fleming was tabbed the Georgia AAA Player of the Year while earning Area Player of the Year twice. She was a four-time first team all-area selection and a two-time all-state honoree. She also was named to the Georgia All-Star team. Fleming set a Georgia record for career assists with 4,707.
"Kristen is a leader and has a high volleyball IQ," Sutherland said. "She grew up around the game. She has good hands, capable of running a fast offense, has a solid work ethic and excited to be a Golden Eagle."
She currently plays club volleyball for the Tsunami-Atlanta and TCA-Atlanta in 2010. Fleming was named to the PrepVolleyball Freshman 59, Sophomore 79, while receiving All-American honorable mention. She also was named to the AAU Nationals All-Star Team.
She is the daughter of Kent and Donna Fleming. She has an older brother Reed, who attends the US Air Force Academy, and a younger sister, Madison.
Crowell, a 6-0 outside hitter, played at Gulf Breeze High School where she was a four-year letterwinner. She helped guide her team to a 29-0 record this season for the most consecutive wins in the area as well as in the state. She helped her team advance to the final four for the first time. She currently has 335 kills, 207 digs and 80 aces this season. She earned all-area for three years while earning all-state accolades for two.
"Jasmine is a powerful hitter and has the ability to play all front row positions," said Sutherland. "She is a solid blocker and an all-around player that is mature on and off the court. She possesses a positive attitude that is infectious."
Crowell currently plays for West Florida Volleyball Club team.
Sears, a 5-11 outside hitter, joins older sister, Lauren, a junior with Golden Eagles. She plays for Broad Run High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner. She earned first team all-district for the past two seasons as well as earning first team all-region accolades. She was named the team's most valuable player. She finished with 329 kills for a 3.61 per set average with a .395 hitting clip. She registered 107 aces to go with 10 solo blocks and 21 block assists. She also had 160 digs.
She led her team in kills, kills per set and aces as well as the county in the same categories. She also earned all-tournament first team.
"Emily is very athletic with a high ceiling," Sutherland said. "She has an explosive approach, possesses all of the tools to become an outstanding outside hitter in Conference USA. She will make her own mark at Southern Miss."
Sears plays club volleyball for the Virginia Elite Volleyball Club where she has been an integral part of the team going to nationals every year. She also was selected to participate on the USAV Continental High Performance Team. This team involved volleyball players from across the country playing together and competing in an international tournament.
