Lander Volleyball Announces Seven Commitments for 2009

GREENWOOD - Lander volleyball coach Carla Decker announced today that five incoming freshmen and two junior college transfers have made commitments to join the Lander volleyball team for the 2009-10 academic year.

Incoming freshmen are: Chelsea Corgan of Deland High School in Deland, Fla., Lindsey Everhart of McNicholas High School in Cincinnati, Madison Kubul of Dacula High School in Dacula, Ga., Jordan Rix of Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Jacksonville, Fla., and Courtney Simmons of Branchville High School in Branchville, S.C. The transfers are: Stephanie Garrett of East Central Community College in Rogersville, Mo., and Melissa McCracken of Illinois Central Community College in Washington, Ill.

"I am very excited to have these young ladies join the team," said Decker, the two-time Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year. "I am looking forward to working with each and every one of them and getting to know them and their families. Each of these ladies has something to bring to the table and I am anxious to get the season started.

"With the seven returning players and the seven incoming players, I see a lot of depth, talent, and enthusiasm for next fall."

Corgan, a 5-5 defensive specialist, was named second-team All-Area and All-County in 2007 and 2008. She plays for the Jacksonville Junior Volleyball Association.

Everhart, a 6-1 middle blocker, earned GGCL first team honors, along with being voted first-team All-District and second-team All-City. She plays for the Cincy Classics.

Garrett, 5-10 outside hitter/right side, was second-team All-Region and honorable mention All-Conference at Logan-Rogersville High School.

Kubul, who signed during the NCAA's early signing period, is a 5-8 libero who plays for the Georgia Junior's.

McCracken, a 6-0 outside hitter, earned All-Conference honors her junior and senior years at Washington High School and played for Eastside VBC. At ICCC she was a NJCAA Division II second-team All-American and earned first-team All-Region honors twice.

Rix, a 5-11 outside hitter/middle blocker, earned high school All-Conference honors in 2008-08 and is currently playing for the Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association.

Simmons, a 6-0 middle blocker/right side, was the South Carolina High School League Class A Player of the Year and named to the North-South All-Star team.

In Decker's third season in 2008, Lander posted a 22-12 record and earned its first-ever berth into the NCAA Division II national tournament.