The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Five More To Join Blazer Volleyball Program In 2010
4/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
April 20, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB volleyball program has added five players who will join the Blazers this coming fall and compete in 2010.
Thais Soares (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Jefferson College), Michele Simmons (Alabaster, Ala./Georgia), Kate Morrell (Ogallala, Neb./Hutchinson CC), Rachel Fairbanks (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch HS) and Becca Howard (Tampa, Fla./Plant HS) will all attend UAB and play for the volleyball team.
"This is by far the best recruiting class we've ever had," UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "We've always been able to get one or two good players but never an entire class like this. Every one of these players will come in and compete right way, and we believe they will play a big role in getting us back to the top of Conference USA."
Soares was a first-team all-conference and first-team all-region player in 2009 for Jefferson (Mo.) College. A 6-foot outside hitter, Soares averaged 3.44 kills per set and 3.59 digs per frame while hitting for a .288 percentage as she bounced back from an injury that forced her to redshirt the 2008 season.
As a freshman in 2007, Soares posted 3.60 kills per set and 5.73 digs per frame on her way to first-team all-region honors for the first time. As a prep player, she was a standout at Rodrigues Alves High School in Rio de Janeiro.
"Thais was one of the top junior college players in the country," Messersmith said. "She was overlooked a little bit after having to sit out a season, but she is a powerful player. She's a good jumper, she has great skill, and she's an extremely intelligent player."
Simmons is a local product from Thompson High School who spent her first two years of college at Georgia. A 6-foot-3 middle blocker and right side hitter, she redshirted her first year with the Bulldogs and will have three years of eligibility remaining at UAB. In her first season of collegiate action last fall, Simmons played in 23 matches, tallying 49 kills and 12 blocks.
As a high school player, Simmons was a two-time all-state and all-county performer at Thompson, where she was her team's offensive MVP for three years. She was selected to USA Volleyball's Youth National A2 Team in 2007 and was named a PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace in 2008 as one of the top 250 players in the country.
"Michele was highly recruited out of high school, and we're glad she's coming back home to play for us," Messersmith said. "She has the height to play the middle and the right side, she swings well, and she's very athletic. We got her late, and she will be a big help for us."
Morrell, a 6-foot middle blocker, comes to UAB after one season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, where she averaged 2.14 kills per set and 1.22 blocks per frame as a freshman last fall. A second-team all-conference performer, she helped her team to a ninth-place finish at the 2009 NJCAA Championship and posted more blocks than any other player at the national tournament. Like Simmons, Morrell will have three years to play at UAB.
Before going to Hutchinson, Morrell was a four-year letterwinner at Ogallala High School. A four-time all-area player, she was selected as a second-team all-state performer and area player of the year as a senior in 2008.
"Kate is a big-time player," Messersmith said. "She's versatile, she's very skilled, and she can play all the way around. She comes from one of the top high school programs in Nebraska, so she's played at a very high level."
Fairbanks was recognized with third-team all-state honors as a senior in 2009 as she helped Cinco Ranch High School to a third-place finish in the Texas 5A state tournament. A 5-foot-8 outside hitter and defensive specialist, she recorded 364 kills and 325 digs as a senior on her way to first-team all-district honors and second-team all-region recognition from the Houston Chronicle.
"Rachel played the top level in Texas, which is one of the better states for volleyball, and she really led her team," Messersmith said. "At 5-foot-8, she wasn't highly recruited because of her size, but she can hit, she can serve, and she can play defense. She was a real steal for us."
Howard, a 5-foot-9 setter, helped Plant High School to back-to-back state championships, one in Florida's Class 5A in 2008 and one in Class 6A in 2009. A three-time all-county performer and twice an honorable mention all-state selection, she was chosen as an Under Armour All-American as a senior.
Averaging 10.9 assists per game last fall, Howard was a finalist for the Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida and the PrepVolleyball.com Andi Collins Award for the best setter in the country. Prior to playing at Plant, she also guided Berkeley Prep to a pair of state tournament appearances. She also played in four Junior Olympics and helped her Florida High Performance team to a third-place national finish.
"Becca played at the highest level both in terms of high school and club volleyball," Messersmith said. "Her high school team was ranked in the top 10 nationally and has four players going to major Division I programs. She's a tremendous setter and will have a chance to make an impact for us."
The five UAB additions will join a pair of early signees from last fall in Bobbi Jo Bayer and Ally Slaughter to give the Blazers seven new faces for the upcoming 2010 season.
