North Carolina State University Athletics
Volleyball Inks Four to Natonal Letters of Intent
11/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 16, 2010
RALEIGH, N.C. -
Four student-athletes will be joining the NC State volleyball program in the fall of 2011, Wolfpack head coach Bryan Bunn announced today. Rachel Buckley, Nicole Glass, Dariyan Hopper and Alesha Wilson each signed a National Letter of Intent, committing to compete for the Red and White.
The class of 2015 will be Bunn's first full recruiting class at the helm of the Pack program.
Buckley, a 6-2 outside hitter hailing from Hebron, Texas, was chosen as 2009 first team all-district while competing at Hebron High School. She plays club volleyball for the Dallas Premiere Volleyball Club, which placed third in the 2010 USA Volleyball championships open division.
"Rachel is a very physical player with a big arm and a huge block from successful club and high school programs," says Bunn. "She is an outstanding competitor who will contribute immediately to building our program at NC State."
Glass, a 5-10 outside hitter from Colorado Springs, Colo., has garnered multiple honors as a prep volleyball star. In 2009, she was named to the Denver Post All-Colorado 5A first team, in addition to earning Gazette All-Metro League and all-area honors. This season, she was recognized as an AVCA preseason All-American and one of Prep Volleyball's top 250 seniors en route to leading Pine Creek High School to a second place finish in the Colorado state volleyball tournament. She also competes on the club circuit for the Colorado Juniors Volleyball Club.
"Nikki is a great ball control player with a very high volleyball IQ," says Bunn. "She will contribute right away in the back court and will challenge for playing time on the outside."
Hopper, 5-10 outside hitter from Minooka, Ill., has earned a multitude of honors in her prep career, both athletically and academically. While competing for Minooka High School, she was named all-area first team, team MVP and team most valuable hitter in 2009 and 2010. During her senior season in 2010, she helped lead the team to a conference and regional championship, all the while pacing the area in kills. Academically, Hopper was named a scholar athlete from 2007 to 2010, and made the honor roll each of those years as well. She also plays for the Uno Volleyball Club.
"Dariyan is a very athletic, dynamic outside hitter with a cannon for an arm," says Bunn. "She has a tremendous amount of potential and will challenge right away on the outside."
Wilson, a 6-0 middle blocker from Keller, Texas, competes with fellow signee and future Wolfpack teammate Buckley on the Dallas Premiere Volleyball Club. In addition, while competing at Keller Central High School, she was named all-district in 2009 and 2010. In the classroom, she was named academic all-district in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
"Alesha is a very fast and fluid middle blocker," says Bunn. "She gets off the floor quickly and has a lightning arm, and will definitely help us improve our offense in the middle position."
The 2010 Wolfpack volleyball squad returns to action Friday, Nov. 19 to take on Georgia Tech at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum.
