Volleyball Announced 2012 Recruiting Class
11/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2011
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss Volleyball coach Abbey Sutherland announced the addition of six student-athletes who signed their national letters of intent/grant-in-aid to join the Golden Eagles volleyball program in 2012.
Heading the list of signees include Elise Ames of Wildwood, Mo., Lydia Bonner of Houston, Texas, Taylor Gibson of Guntersville, Ala., Quinci Hayward of Slidell, La., Rachel Johnson of Round Rock, Texas and Heidi Otto of Spring, Texas.
"This 2012 recruiting class obviously has some big shoes to fill as we're losing six seniors, but I am completely confident that they will exceed my high expectations," said Sutherland. "They are great students and understand that they will have to work very hard to be successful at the next level. I'm extremely excited to work with this athletically talented class. I want to thank Coach Berkley as she played a major role in obtaining these commitments."
| 2012 Southern Miss Volleyball Signees | ||||
| Signee | Ht. | Pos. | Hometown | Previous School |
| Elise Ames | 6-1 | OH | Wildwood, Mo. | St. Joseph's Academy |
| Lydia Bonner | 5-11 | OH | Houston, Texas | DeKaney HS |
| Taylor Gibson | 5-7 | S/DS | Guntersville, Ala. | Guntersville HS |
| Quinci Hayward | 6-5 | MB | Slidell, La. | Slidell HS |
| Rachel Johnson | 6-0 | MB | Round Rock, Texas | Stony Point HS |
| Heidi Otto | 6-1 | OH | Spring, Texas | Klein Collins HS |
 | Elise Ames • 6-1 • OH • Wildwood, Mo. • St. Joseph's Academy |
Attended St. Joseph's Academy where she was a three-year letterwinner ... A two-time state champion in Missouri Class 4 (2008 and 2010) ... Earned second team all-region honors ... led the team with a .549 hitting percentage ... Totaled 151 kills ... Led the team in total blocks with 65 and ranked fourth in the same category in the Missouri Class 4 ... Second on the team in aces with 26 ... Named PREPCASTS 2011 Volleyball Athlete of the Game (9/13/11) ... Named to the 2011 AVCA Under Armour Girls' High School All-American Watch List ... Daughter of Mark and Carolyn Ames.
Club
Played for St. Louis CYC Volleyball Club in 2010, Rockwood Thunder VBC in 2008-09 and Kirkwood VBC in 2007 ... Played middle blocker on club teams that finished fifth at the JOVC American Division in 2009; third-place at the Gateway Regionals in 2009; first-place at the Gateway Region Power League in 2009; fourth-place at the Big South OPEN Qualifier in 2010; first-place at the Gateway Regionals in 2010; first-place at the Battle of the Arch in 2010; 10th-place at the JOVC National Division in 2010.
Why Southern Miss
"I have always wanted to go to school in the South. As soon as I stepped onto the Southern Miss campus and met the coaches, I knew Southern Miss was the place meant for me to attend college and play volleyball. Educationally, Southern Miss will provide me the opportunity to pursue my career interests. Coach Abbey and Coach Amanda are coaches who I'm confident will help me become the top collegiate player who I strive to be. The Golden Eagle team is made up of future teammates, who are not only as passionate and dedicated to winning at volleyball as I am, but who I also see becoming my lifelong friends."
| Lydia Bonner • 5-11 • OH • Houston, Texas • DeKaney HS |
High School: Attended DeKaney High School where she was a three-year letterwinner ... Named team captain sophomore and junior years ... Received first team all-district honors as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore ... Ranked in the top 10 in the district in kills for three consecutive seasons ... Finished her senior campaign with 347 kills and 130 digs ... Was second in the district and 16th overall in Houston with kills ... Named the 2011 13-5A Hitter of the Year ... National Honor Society ... Student Ambassador ... Honor Roll ... Graduating in top 2% of 2012 class with a 4.99 GPA ... Academic all-district last three years ... Daughter of Avis and Linell Bonner, Jr.
Club
PVYPE Magazine Queens of the Court Edition Top Outside Hitters ... AVCA 2011-12 Under Armour Girls' High School All-American Watch List ... 2011-12 All-Texas High School Team Honorable Mention
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because of the school's legacy and of course, the city. They have always had great athletic programs and I wanted to be a part of it. In addition to that legacy, the women's volleyball team was Conference USA champs in 2009, meaning that the Golden Eagles know how to compete and win - and that is the kind of competiveness I love and want to play for. The current Southern Miss volleyball players and the 2012 recruits are aggressive and hard-working, the kind of players who love the sport of volleyball as much as I do. The coaches are amazing, very knowledgeable and passionate about volleyball. I chose Southern Miss because I could see myself growing there not only as a player but as an individual."
| Taylor Gibson • 5-7 • S/DS • Guntersville, Ala. • Guntersville HS |
A four-year letterwinner and starter at Guntersville High School ... Helped her team compose a 257-24 record in four years ... Registered over 5,800 career assists ... Team was the Class 4A state champion for the three straight years - 2009, 2010, 2011 ... Class 4A state runner in 2008 ... Earned all-state accolades for four consecutive years ... Four-time all-area honoree ... Three-time all-county player ... Named to the state all-tournament team three times ... Named to the PrepVolleyball Sophomore 79 list and Defensive Dandy list ... AVCA 2011-12 Under Armour Girls' High School All-American Watch List ... Member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society ... Rated in the top 20 of the class ... Carries a 3.70 GPA ... Daughter of Brad and Marcia Gibson.
Club
Played for Alabama Elite Volleyball/Nasa Volleyball ... Two-time Junior Olympic National participant ... Two-time AAU National participant
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because the school had everything I'm looking for in a university. I want to pursue a career in nursing and Southern Miss has a really good program. I also love the coaches and the girls on the team, they're just a really close group and that's something that I wanted to be a part of. Plus USM competes at a high level in Conference USA and that's something you definitely look for."
| Quinci Hayward • 6-5 • Middle Blocker • Slidell, La. • Slidell High School |
Attended Slidell High School where she was a four-year letterwinner ... Led her team in kills ... Recorded a season-high 36 kills against Northshore High School ... Also had 30 kills against St. Scholastica Academy ... Named best defensive player for two years ... Earned the team's MVP award ... Was Vice President of Beta Club as a junior and President as a senior ... Daughter of Albert and Tenna Hayward.
Club
Played club volleyball with the Blue Crab
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because it is close to my hometown which means my family and friends can come see my play. Not to mention, I fell in love with the girls, and I believe the greatest teams have the strongest chemistry."
| Rachel Johnson • 6-0 • Middle Blocker • Round Rock, Texas • Stony Point High School |
Played at Stony Point High School where she was a three-year letterwinner and two year starter ... Finished her career with 422 kills and 117 total blocks ... Named 2011-12 All-Texas Team Honorable Mention selection by Lone Star Volleyball ... AVCA 2011-12 Under Armour Girls' High School All-American Watch List ... Helped lead team to the school's first ever district and bi-district championships ... Earned second team all-district honors ... Selected to the all-district all-academic team ... Daughter of Archie and Kimily Johnson ... Father played basketball at UAB, was drafted by the New Jersey Nets, and played professionally in Europe and South America ... Older sister Kristen lives in Birmingham, Ala., and younger sister Amanda plays tennis.
Club
Played club volleyball for Austin Junior Volleyball (AJV) ... During 2010 with AJV in 16s, placed second at the Northeast National Qualifier 16 National; Second-place at the Lone Star Classic 16 National Qualifier; Third-place Lone Star Regional Qualifier ... In 2011, placed third at the Mideast National Qualifier 17 National; First-place Lone Star Classic National Qualifier 17; 13th-place Girls' Junior National Championship 17s
USA Volleyball
Placed fifth at 2009 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships with the Lone Star Region High Performance Select Team; Second-place, 2010 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships with the Lone Star Region High Performance Select Team; Recruited to play and train in the USA Volleyball National Sitting Team.
Why Southern Miss
"I picked Southern Miss because of the atmosphere of the school and the team. The girls are fun to be around and work hard to be successful. The school spirit at USM is wonderfully overwhelming, there's black and gold everywhere. Southern Miss is located right in the middle of the southeast, where I grew up, and the area is a beautiful place to live. I'm excited to start my college life at Southern Miss, build memories, and work hard with my team."
| Heidi Otto • 6-1 • Outside Hitter • Spring, Texas • Klein Collins High School |
A three-year letterwinner at Klein Collins High School ... Four-time all-district selections including a first team selection for 2011 ... Named to the academic all-district teams three years ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Holds the team record for most aces in 2010 ... Earned all-tournament honors at the Cy-Fair I.S.D. Tournament ... AVCA 2011-12 Under Armour Girls' High School All-American Watch List ... Earned honorable mention All-Texas Team 2011 ... Featured in VYPE Magazine Volleyball issue Aug. 2011 ... Finished her senior campaign with 337 kills, 192 digs and a school record 91 aces ... Registered 273 kills, 64 aces and 169 digs during her junior season ... Daughter of Glenn and Janet Otto.
Club
Played club volleyball for Willowbrook for four years
Why Southern Miss
"I chose Southern Miss because as soon as I saw the school and met the coaches and especially the girls, I knew it was the place I wanted and needed to be. I love the whole atmosphere and everything about campus."
