VOLLEYBALL ADDS FOUR RECRUITS FOR 2008 SEASON

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University Volleyball Head Coach James Finley announced the addition of four recruits for the 2008-09 school year Thursday.

“This class has a terrific blend of athleticism and experience,” said Finley. “These girls will help move our program forward and toward our goal of playing higher above the net.”

Courtney Hott is a 6-2 middle blocker from Fredericksburg, Va. Hott was a four-year starter at Courtland High School, where she played for her father, Bob. In four seasons, Hott earned three First Team All-Battlefield District citations and led the Cougars an 80-15 record. As a senior in 2007, she served as team captain on the way to Battlefield District Co-Player of the Year honors. During her tenure, Courtland captured four district tournament championships and reached the Region I quarterfinals three times and the semifinals once. She is also an active member of the Richmond Volleyball Club, under Coach Curtis Carpenter.

Alyssa Foster, a 5-2 libero, is a local product out of nearby Mills Godwin High School, where she competed for Coach Jason Garrett. A three-time all-district and two-time all region performer, Foster helped the Eagles to a pair of district championships. Additionally, she was a member of Godwin’s 2004 State Runner-up team. Following that season, she was selected for USA Volleyball’s Development Camp at George Mason University. Foster is also a member of the Richmond Volleyball Club. Foster, along with future VCU teammate Courtney Hott, was a member of the RVC squad that finished third at the national tournament in July 2007.

Eileen Giffey, is a 6-1 middle blocker out of Hamburg, Germany. Giffey joins the Rams after an impressive club volleyball career with VC Norderstedt, perennially one of the top teams in Hamburg. Additionally, Giffey played volleyball for her high school, Gymnasium Grootmoor, where she won a pair of Hamburg School Championships. She also spent the 2005-06 school year as an exchange student at Spruce Grove Composite High School in Alberta Canada, where she played one season of volleyball.

Kristin Boyd, a 6-2 outside hitter from Wilmington, N.C., rounds out VCU’s recent additions. A product of John T. Hoggard High School, where she played for renowned Coach Ron Strickland, Boyd hit a staggering .624 as a senior and averaged 1.4 blocks per game. Additionally, she was a standout for her club team, Cape Fear and Coach Peter Cruz.

Finley’s 2008 recruiting class joins a talented group of returnees for the upcoming season, including All-CAA selection Laryssa Goncalves and CAA All-Freshman pick Jessica Ojukwu. The Rams open the 2008 season Aug. 24 with the annual Black and Gold Scrimmage at the Alltel Pavilion.