Boiling Springs, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb University Athletics Department in conjunction with Volleyball Head Coach Chris Phillips is pleased to announce the addition of five student-athletes – Emily Holte, Tyler Cockrell, Erin Anderson, Amanda Murphy and Meg Taylor – to the volleyball program, as they will continue both their academic and volleyball careers at Gardner-Webb University starting in the fall of 2010.

Emily Holte is a 6-0 middle hitter from Prior Lake, Minnesota and Prior Lake High School where she played under Head Coach Mike Dean.  Holte, who was named to the Under Armour Girls High School All-America Volleyball watch list earlier this season for the state of Minnesota, is a three-year letterwinner that recorded 718 kills, 179 blocks and 75 service aces over her career at Prior Lake High School.  This past season as a senior, Holte posted a stellar .552 attack percentage and averaged 3.79 kills per set.  Holte was twice named to the All-Conference Team and was twice named her team’s best offensive player.  She finished her high school career second all time in kills (718), third all-time in blocks (179) and sixth all-time in aces (75) at Prior Lake H.S. 

Holte, who plans to major in Communications and Sociology while at Gardner-Webb, was a member of the Mizuno Northern Lights club team that was the 2008 AAU National Champions in the Club Division and finished in third overall at the 2009 AAU National Championship in the Club Division.

Tyler Cockrell comes to Gardner-Webb from Tulsa, Oklahoma where she attended and played for Booker T. Washington High School and Head Coach Dave Hendrix.  The 5-9 middle blocker is a four-year letterwinner and was named the Team MVP all four years.  This past season, Cockrell was named to the All-State Team and the All-City Tournament Team.  Cockrell was named most honorable mention All-City as a junior and was tabbed the Tulsa World Player of the Week during her sophomore campaign.

Cockrell, who intends to major in sports management at GWU, is also a member of the Club One 18 Black club team that recently finished in second-place in the Gold Division (17’s) at the 2009 Lone Star National Qualifier.

Erin Anderson, a 5-8 outside hitter from Orlando, Florida, attended and played for Orangewood Christian School and Head Coach Dianne Langmo.  Anderson led her team to three straight District Championships (2007, 2008 and 2009) while at Orangewood Christian School.  This past season as a senior, Anderson posted 27 service aces, 213 kills, 58 total blocks and 245 digs.  As a junior, Anderson was named to the University of Tampa Team Camp All-Star team. 

Anderson, who intends to major in business at Gardner-Webb, is a member of the Orlando Volleyball Academy club team, helping lead her team to a fifth-place finish in the 2009 AAU National Tournament.  Off of the volleyball court, Anderson is a member of the National Honor Society and has been named to the highest honor roll as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Amanda Murphy comes to GWU by way of Alvin, Texas where she attended and played at Living Stones Christian School and Head Coach Stephanie Pitkin.  A four-year letterwinner that was named to the First-Team All-State as a freshman, sophomore and senior, and was named to the Second-Team All-State her junior season.  Murphy was named to the State All-Tournament three times and to the First-Team All-District all four years, including being named the MVP of the District this past year as a senior.  The 6-0 middle blocker helped guide her team to two TAPPS 1A State Championships and was the TAPPS 2A State Runner-up this past season.  Murphy was recognized as a TAPPS All-Star selection three out of four seasons while at Living Stones Christian School and was named to the All-Zone Team her junior season.

Murphy is also a member of the AVA of Texas club team where she was named the Most Improved Player her freshman year and helped lead her team to the JO’s as a sophomore.  Off the court, Murphy has excelled as well, as she is the salutatorian for her graduating class this season, is a recipient of the Art, Art History and English Awards and is a three-year member of the honor roll.  

 

Meg Taylor, who comes to GWU by way of Dorman High School in nearby Spartanburg, S.C. where she played under Head Coach Paula Kirkland, is a 5-11 right side hitter that was a three year letterwinner.  Taylor, who helped guide her team to three straight AAAA Region 2 Championships, was a co-captain on the team that last season won the State AAAA Championship.  As a senior this past season, Taylor was named to the All-Region Team and the South Carolina All-Star Team.

Taylor, who plans to major in Athletic Training at Gardner-Webb, is a member of the Club South Volleyball club team that was twice the Palmetto Region Champions (2008 & 2009), finished second at the 2009 Northeast Qualifiers in Baltimore, Maryland, and qualified for the 2009 U.S. Volleyball Junior National Championship in Miami, Fla. The same club team also took third-place at the AAU Junior National Championships in Orlando, Florida in 2008.

Off the volleyball court, Taylor is a member of the National Honor Society, the Medial Society and the Beta Club.

“We are extremely excited about our recruiting class this season,” stated Coach Phillips.  “Emily has seen good competitive competition and will bring that competitive edge with her to the court, as well as a quick swing and solid blocking ability.  Tyler is an explosive middle with speed and agility and will give us an added dimension on the court.  Erin is an outstanding athlete with a good vertical jump and incredible timing.  Amanda is a middle who is quick and strong, which will add depth to our attack.  Meg will help out on the right side, as she has a big block and a very strong swing.”

The Lady Bulldogs finished 12-22 overall in 2009 and will return eight of its 11 players next season, including its top-five scorers.  With a solid core of the roster returning next season and the addition of the previously mentioned five incoming freshman, the Lady Bulldogs have high hopes and expectations for the program not only now, but in the years to come.

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