December 10, 2007

BRYANT VOLLEYBALL SIGNS TWO RECRUITS
TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

Hilary Andrews

Maria Scocca

SMITHFIELD, RI - Bryant University women's volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy is pleased to announce the signing of student-athletes HILARY ANDREWS (Tipp City, Ohio) and MARIA SCOCCA (Melrose, Mass.) to National Letters of Intent to enroll and participate in women's volleyball at Bryant in the fall of 2008.

Andrews, a standout outside hitter at Tippecanoe High School, helped lead her team to back to back Central Buckeye Conference championships this season with an undefeated conference record.  The team reached the state semifinals.   As a player, she was named First Team All-Conference as well as Buckeye Conference Player of the Year in setting the school records for career kills, digs, and service aces.  In addition, she earned First Team and District 9 Player of the Year honors, plus was named First Team All-Ohio and All-Southwest Area in 2007.  

A member of the National Honor Society, she was the Tippecanoe High School Red Devil Award recipient in 2007.  Andrews is also a member of the Dayton Junior Volleyball Club and helped lead the team to a 13th place finish at the Club Nationals in Minneapolis recently.

"Hilary brings some impressive credentials and versatility to our program," commented Garlacy who will begin her 13th season at Bryant in 2008.  "We are expecting Hilary to add depth and force for us on the outside." 

Scocca, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter, was a three-year starter at Arlington Catholic High School.  A team captain as a senior, Scocca helped lead Arlington Catholic to the Massachusetts State Division 2 Semifinals and earned all-league and all-state honors.  Ranked 21st in her class and member of the National Honor Society, Scocca was recognized on the Boston Globe All-Scholastic team. 

She is also currently a member of the Smash Elite Volleyball Club, the same team that former Bryant standout Likica Grceva and Victoria Monette played for.  In 2007, the club team was ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts and second in New England. 

"Maria's size, determination and blocking abilities will add tremendous depth to our lineup," added Garlacy.  "We are looking forward to her balancing out our front line."

Bryant will begin making its transition to Division I in the fall of 2008 and will officially join the Northeast Conference in the fall of 2012.

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