Braves Add Three To 2009 Recruiting Class

PEMBROKE – UNCP head volleyball coach Jeff Billington has announced the signing of Shay Peterson, Morgan Ridge and Sam Wylie to national letters of intent as the three prep standouts declared their intentions to continue their playing careers with the Black & Gold.

“Since my tenure at UNCP, this group has the potential to be the best class to date,” said Billington. “They all posses good skill, athletic ability, and have had a good amount of experience playing volleyball. Combined with our returners, this group really gives us depth in every position on the floor, which is going to make practices very competitive.”

Peterson, a 5-11 middle hitter from Port Royal, S.C., played for coach Al Stern at Bluffton H.S. During her senior season she was named team MVP, helping lead BHS to second place finish in the region. In her final year Peterson was named all-region, all-state and was an all-star team selection while amassing 232 kills and 112 blocks.

In 2007 BHS won its first state championship posting a 45-5 record. Peterson notched 198 kills and 40 blocks during her junior campaign as BHS won its third consecutive Region VIII Championship. A three-year letterwinner in volleyball, Peterson was a member of BHS’s honor roll and ROTC for the past three years.

“Shay is a very good athlete and is the type of person who works hard to get it right,” said Billington. “If it is not good enough, she will say so and will want to do it until she gets it right. She has very good jumping ability, a strong arm swing, and gets her hands on almost every ball that the opponent attacks at her.”

Ridge, a 5-5 defensive specialist from Pinehurst, N.C., played for coach Barbra Fox at Pinecrest HS. Ridge plays club for the Piedmont Triad and coach Bill Carter. She is the daughter of Fred and Annette Ridge and has two sisters, Jennifer and Jordan, and one brother, Taylor.

“Morgan has had strong club experience playing for Piedmont and she brings versatility to our team she has experience as a setter and a defensive specialist,” said Billington “Morgan’s role in 2009 will be as a DS and will most likely play right back defense for us. She has good anticipation and gets to a lot of balls.”

Wylie, a 5-8 setter from Fort Myers, Fla., played for Kristin Ward at South Fort Myers HS. Ward was named team MVP her final two seasons while serving as team captain both years. She won the LCAC Award two years in a row at SFMHS and the Wolfpack finished third in its district during her junior year.

A four-year letterwinner in volleyball, Wylie also earned one letter for softball. While playing softball she was named best all-around for the Wolfpack. She played her club ball for the Naples Volleyball Academy and coach Melissa Chaplin.

“Samantha has a good chance at seeing the floor immediately for us in 2009,” said Billington. “Sam has the ability to make good decisions on the floor and can execute any set that our offense will need. She has a bright future and we a very lucky to have her as a member of our volleyball family.”