Georgia State College Volleyball Team Announces Spring Signings
ATLANTA - Georgia State volleyball head coach Tami Audia has announced
the signing for four stand-out high school volleyball players for the upcoming fall
season. The list includes four freshmen who will make their debuts in
just over two months: Emily Averbeck, Loren Byerly, Veronica Chandre andTaylor Smith.
“I think our 2010 signing class is a very athletic one,” commented
Audia. “They are excited about coming in and putting their names on
our Georgia State program.”
“Each has had a lot of success on both the high school and club level
and I know that they want to continue that in their college careers.
They are ready to come in and fight for some positions and they will get
a chance to do that immediately.”
The four volleyball players will join 10 returners from last year, including four seniors
and six starters on the roster.
The spring 2010 signing class:
Emily Averbeck DS/L 5-3 Cincinnati, Ohio (Seton HS)
Loren Byerly OH 5-9 Frisco, Texas (Liberty HS)
Veronica Chandre S 6-0 Oak Creek, Wisc. (Oak Creek HS)
Taylor Smith DS/L 5-7 Atlanta, Ga. (Blessed Trinity Catholic
HS)
Emily Averbeck played the last three seasons for Sara Redman at Seton
High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 5-3 defensive specialist and volleyball libero
was team captain in 2009, earning first team All-GGCL (Girls Greater
Cincinnati League) honors, while also being named all-district second
team.
“Emily is a very athletic student-athlete and the typical type of
libero player. She handles the ball and sees the court very well. She
understands the game and is going to be an exciting player to watch.”
Averbeck recorded 517 digs during her senior volleyball team season, the most in the
state of Ohio. She recorded a season-high 47 digs against McAuley HS,
leading the volleyball team to nine wins and the sectional title, finishing
runner-up in districts.
Averbeck is one of five children to Steve and Terri Averbeck. She plans
to major in psychology at State.
Loren Byerly comes to Georgia State from Liberty High School in Frisco,
Texas. The outside hitter earned all-district first team honors in each
of the last two seasons, while earning all-district second team honors
in 2007 as a middle blocker. She also was named the MVP of the Mesquite
Volleyball Tournament in 2008. During her senior season, Byerly accumulated 379
kills and 263 digs to go along with a .287 hitting percentage.
“Loren would be known as a jumping machine for her athletic ability.
One of the things that I really like about Lauren is that she can really
take care of the ball, but at the same time, when she is on the front
row, can put the ball away and score points.”
Byerly led Liberty to two consecutive 9-4A district, bi-district and
area championships. She led the high school volleyball team to a perfect 14-0 record in
district play in 2008, just the second year the school had a varsity
program. She followed that by helping lead the squad to a 13-1 record in
district play in 2009.
Byerly comes from a long-line of athletes in her family. Her mother,
Pam Mitchel, ran track & field at the University of Texas @ Austin,
while her aunt Letricia Francois ran track at Sam Houston State. Her
uncle, Cleveland Francois played football at Sam Houston State, while
her cousin, Willie Ray Hardeman, Jr. played football at Howard
University.
Byerly intends to major in journalism beginning this fall.
Veronica Chandre was a two-year volleyball team captain for Karen Lois at Oak
Creek High School in Oak Creek, Wisc. The 6-0 volleyball setter set career school
records in assists and service aces on her way to earning top senior
athlete honors at Oak Creek.
“Veronica will look to be our setter and comes from a great club. She
has been playing at a very high level for a long time. She is an
all-around player and knows more about the game than just about her
position. Her versatility will allow her to play many different
positions.”
Chandre earned 2009 Southeastern All-Conference honors, after a pair of
honorable mention recognitions. She finished her career with 1949
assists and 184 service aces, while also setting the single-season
record with 769 assists. The National Honor Society student was also
named to the honor roll all four years of high school.
Chandre is one of four children to David and Lisa Chandre. She also
participated in track in high school, throwing both the shot put and
discus. She advanced to the state championship in 2008 in discus.
Chandre is currently undecided on her major.
Taylor Smith played locally at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School for
coach Paul Stevens. The 5-7 defensive specialist and volleyball libero was named to
the GSHA Senior All-Star Volleyball Team after the 2009 season, earning all-state
first team honors.
“Taylor is an athletic defender. She is going to bring a fun attitude
to the court and I think be someone that people enjoy watching play.
Taylor has an energy to her that is very contagious to others on the
court.”
Smith was team captain during her senior year, earning all region
honors as well, after earning the Coach’s Award following the 2007 and
2008 seasons. She finished the 2009 season with 494 digs, just four shy
of the school record, leading her high school volleyball team to the Sweet 16 of the statechampionships, a year after her team reached the Elite 8.
Smith is the only child of Tom and Leanna Smith. She graduated Magna
Cum Laude after her senior year, while serving as a member of the Key
Club. She intends to major in anthropology at State.
The 2010 regular season will begin on August 27th with the Georgia
State Invitational. The full schedule is now online at
GeorgiaStateSports.com.
-www.GeorgiaStateSports.com-
