GOLDEN SUNS VOLLEYBALL ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF FOUR PLAYERS TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

         RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Volleyball Head Coach Kristy Bayer announced on Thursday that Brennae Benda, Laura Farney, Allie Rankin and Alli Vest signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period to join the Golden Suns in 2008.

Bayer said she is pleased about the addition of these four players to her team, which finished with a 22-13 overall record and lost in the first round of the GSC Tournament to North Alabama this past season.

“I am extremely proud of this 2008 recruiting class,” Bayer said. “All four of these girls come from great high school programs and nationally recognized club programs. Each one of them is solid and has a bright future here at Arkansas Tech.”

Benda, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter and libero, comes to Tech after a standout prep career at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Ill. Benda was a three-year starter for Woodstock and was named an All-Area and All-Conference selection this past season and also was named the team’s MVP. In addition, was the Northwest Herald’s Athlete of the Week and earned three All-Tournament selections this past year and led WHS to a regional championship as a junior in 2006. Along with playing volleyball at WHS, Benda also was an All-Conference selection in basketball as a sophomore in 2005-06 and led WHS to a regional championship that same season. She also helped her club team, Sky High Volleyball, qualify for USAV Nationals.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Benda is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and is in the top two percent of her class.

“Brennae is a hard worker and has a great presence both defensively and on serve receive,” Bayer said. “Her competitive nature, desire to win and vocal confidence on the court will be a big asset to this team.”

Farney, a 6-foot outside hitter/right side hitter, comes to Tech after a successful high school career playing at Peoria Christian School in Peoria, Ill. Farney, who is a native of Morton, Ill., was a four-year starter at PCHS and led the team to a 100-35-2 overall record and a 40-3 mark in conference matches and also helped the team win three consecutive regional titles. Was a three-time All-Conference selection and was named an Honorable Mention All-Area selection this past season by the Peoria Journal Star All-Area. In her career at PCHS, Farney holds the school’s career kill mark (944), career dig mark (811) and finished second on school’s career block chart (218). In addition, she finished fourth in career service aces (110) and was named to seven All-Tournament teams during her high school career.  Along with holding several school career marks, Farney also holds the school’s single-season marks for kills (323 as a junior in 2006) and digs (318 as a senior this past year). As a club player for Illini Elite, Farney helped the team qualify for USAV Nationals and finished second on the team in kills. Along with playing volleyball at PCHS, Farney also lettered for two years in basketball and track and was the basketball team’s leading scorer as a sophomore.

In the classroom, Farney is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the school’s High Honor Roll for four years and carries a 3.98 GPA and ranks eighth in her class. In addition, she was one of 16 Peoria-area student to receive an Optimist International Award and also was selected to participate in the school’s Korea Mission Trip in 2006 and 2007. On the mission trip, she taught English as a Second Language at the Amerasian Christian Academy.

“Laura has good ball control and a high reach at the net,” the fourth-year Tech coach said. “She has had a great high school and club experience, which will help her adjust to the college level.”

Rankin, a 6-foot middle blocker and outside hitter, comes to Tech after a stellar prep career at Dallas Lutheran High School in Richardson, Texas. Was a four-time All-District selection, including a two-time First-Team selection as a junior and senior and was a three-time All-State selection, including a two-time Second-Team All-State honoree. In addition, she was named to TAPPS 5A All-State Academic team this past season and was a two-time Dallas Morning News All-Area selection. This past season, Rankin, who was a team captain as a senior, averaged 4.8 kills and 1.55 blocks per game and over the past two seasons, she recorded 496 kills and averaged 4.3 kills per game. As a club player for Victory Elite, Rankin led them to qualify for USAV Nationals, where they finished 13th. Along with playing volleyball at Dallas Lutheran, Rankin was a three-year letterwinner at first base in softball and led the team to a Bi-District championship in 2004.

Along with her athletic accomplishments, Rankin is a standout in the classroom as she is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the Honor Roll and carries a 4.0 GPA and a 95 overall average. She also serves as the school’s Student Council President, was a member of the school’s Homecoming Court and serves as the school’s Yearbook co-editor.  

“Allie is a great team player and her strength, size and ability to play multiple positions will our team’s depth next year,” Bayer said.

Vest, a 6-foot middle blocker, comes to Tech after a successful prep career at Southside High School in Fort Smith, Ark. Helped lead Southside to the 2006 Class 7A State championship and was named an All-State honoree this past season after helping to lead the Rebels to the 7A-West Conference title. Was a two-time All-State Tournament selection and was named to AAO Top 25 Team. In addition, she was selected to attend the USA High Performance volleyball camp the past two years. Vest played club volleyball for the Fort Smith Juniors. Along with her athletic accomplishments, Vest is also member of the school’s National Honor Society, Student Council, Senior Council and Mu Alpha Theta.

         -- Tech Athletics --