Photo Gallery of Fall Signees

MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama volleyball head coach Amy Hendrichovsky announced the addition of five newcomers to the 2013 roster Tuesday  – Jessica Lewis (Huntsville, Ala.), Mallory Moore (Guntersville, Ala.), Abby Baker (Fayetteville, Ga.), Kiki Von Piekartz (Ootmarsum, Netherlands) and Mechell Daniel (Chelmsford, England).

Jessica Lewis – 5-9 – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker
Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville High School – Rocket City Volleyball Club)

South Alabama’s first addition to the fall class comes to the Jaguars after a stellar prep career.  Lewis lettered for head coach Melanie Donahoo on the varsity squad for the past five seasons at Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Ala.  During that time, she helped guide the Panthers to four-straight 6A titles – the 10th in the last 11 seasons for HHS – earning Elite Eight Most Outstanding players each of the last three seasons.  

“Jessica has had a decorated career at the high school level,” Hendrichovsky said.  “She's an explosive, dynamic, and talented athlete that can also pass and play great defense as well.  Jessica will continue to set high goals for herself and we look for her to make her mark at the collegiate level as well.  Perhaps overlooked because of her size we like her because she plays with a huge heart.”

As a senior, she recorded 1,289 kills and was named as one of Sports Illustrated’s November 2012 “Faces in the Crowd” after recording 18 kills in the state tournament championship match versus Vestavia Hills HS.  As the only senior on this year’s squad, she capped off her career in grand fashion as her 18th and final prep kill clinched the 3-0 sweep for the Panthers.

This past summer prior to the start of her senior season, Lewis was named the MVP of the North-South All-Star game after hitting .375 and recording a match-high 12 kills in the North’s fourth-straight win over the South squad.

During her final four seasons, Huntsville posted a 188-25 and over the course of her junior and senior seasons, she compiled 2,139 kills, 193 aces, 379 blocks and 463 digs, while being named the Huntsville Times’ Elite Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011.  She was a three-time 6A first-team all-state selection and received second-team accolades as a freshman.  Lewis was named a Top 25 freshman by www.PrepVolleyball.com.

Lewis has also been a member of the Rocket City Volleyball Club for the past4 12 years and chose USA after being recruited by Southern Illinois, South Florida, Central Florida, Ohio and several other programs.

Mallory Moore – 6-1 – Opposite Hitter
Guntersville, Ala. (Guntersville High School – Rocket City Volleyball Club)

The second newcomer for 2013 also comes to the South Alabama from the northern part of the state.  Moore, who has lettered and started each of the past four seasons for head coach Jimmy Latta, has been a part of three 4A state championship squads (2009, 2010 and 2012).  This past season, Moore helped guide the Wildcats a 61-14 overall record and advanced to the semifinal round of the state tournament.  Moore averaged 3.1 kills per set and posted 531 kills, while also registering 232 digs, 120 blocks, 68 aces and a .279 hitting percentage.  Like Lewis, who she played club ball last spring and will do so again this spring, Moore was selected to compete on the North team at the North/South All-Star match.  In the all-star event, Moore played well and had the match-winning kill.

“From the time I first saw Mallory, I knew she was someone I would love in our program,” Hendrichovsky said.  “She is physical, well-skilled, and will be a force at the net for us.  She's a tall lefty that contacts it high and hits a heavy ball.  We were fortunate to have Mallory at camp this past summer and feel she has the tools to impact our lineup early in her career.”

Prior to the start of her senior season, Moore was named to the Under Armor All-American Watch List.  She was a three-time all-state selection, earning first team honors as a senior and junior and second team honors as a sophomore.  

As a junior, she posted 28 double-digit kill matches and recorded 283 kills.  She also had 96 blocks, and 63 digs, while hitting .233.  For her career, Moore finished with 1,053 put aways and helped GHS post a 254-30 overall record in her final three seasons.

Abby Baker – 5-5 – Libero
Fayetteville, Ga. (Whitewater High School – Tsunami Volleyball Club)

Baker comes to the Jaguars after lettering four seasons at Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Ga., the last for two head coach Valerie Jones.  As a senior at WHS, Baker averaged 5.8 digs per set and tallied 558 total during the season, earning her first all-state selection.  She was also selected to participate in an all-star game a few weeks ago.    

“Abby is exactly what we look for when continuing to lay the foundation in this program,” Hendrichovsky said.  “She is blue-collar, hard working, and will bring a competitive spirit to the floor.  These are key intangibles when playing the Libero position.  She was also able to attend camp over the summer and work with our staff.  We have no doubt that Abby will add solid passing and defense to our lineup.”  

The two-year captain was a member of two state championship clubs (AAAA in 2009 and AAAAA in 2012), while also finishing as the runner up during her junior season.  In the state championship match this past season, Baker was instrumental in Whitewater’s 3-1 victory over McIntosh as she had 22 digs.

She has ranked as one of the top five liberos in the state of Georgia each of the last two seasons and as a junior, she recorded 663 total digs – second-most among all divisions.  She missed most of her sophomore year due to injury, but still managed to record 130 digs and help WHS to a 49-5 record.

Baker has also had a stellar career at the club level, competing for the Tsunami Volleyball Club.  This past summer, she was part of Tsunami’s team which placed third in the national division for Junior Nationals.  

Kiki Von Piekartz – 6-0 – Setter
Ootmarsum, Netherlands (Twents Carmel College – Oldenzaal/Set-Up’65)

Von Piekartz comes to South Alabama after competing the lastt 11 years for Set-Up’65 – one of the top club teams in the Netherlands.  While there, she has been part of four national championship teams in four different age categories and has also finished as runner up once.  During the 2010 season, she was selected as the Most Valuable Player at the Top Youth tournament.

“With the graduation of Katariina, Kiki will join Emily Hundt this January to train at the setter position,” Hendrichovsky said.  “Kiki brings a positive energy and confidence to the position.  With the experience she has gained competing at the top level of her country we look for Kiki to bring stability and challenge to find time on the floor.”  

She will enroll early with the Jaguars and begin classes in January.

Mechell Daniel – 6-1 – Opposite/Outside Hitter
Chelmsford, England (The Bowells School – Malory Eagles)

Daniel has been part of the British Olympic ambition program of potential Olympians this past year.  She has competed in the World School Volleyball Tournament in France and has received MVP honors for her high school team.  The 6-1 player who can play on both the right and left sides was also named the Player of the Year for Mallory – her club team.  She also traveled to Austria to compete at the Sparkassen Rondo Cup with the England Cadets where she was awarded the best hitter of the tournament.

“What drew us to Mechell was her versatility and huge upside,” Hendrichovsky said.  “She is one of the top volleyball players in her country and has aspirations of playing beyond the college game.  With that, she is choosing to come to the US to receive a degree but also improve as a player, be challenged, and prepare herself for a possible career with her National team and professionally.  We look for Mechell to improve the level of competition in our gym at multiple positions.”

During 2011, Daniel was named the Sports Woman of the year for her high school and also won the UKSG with Central England where she was named one of the top six players at the tournament.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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