The newcomers are made up of four freshman and one junior.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Head coach Angela McGuire has added five new volleyball players to her team for the upcoming 2009 season here at Queens University of Charlotte. These five players will help build on the successes of this past season that the Royals had on the volleyball court. McGuire is excited to start the new season with the strength added to her team.
A 5'11" rightside/middle blocker by the name of Melissa Hinchman hails from Orlando, Fla., where she now attends William R. Boone High School. HInchman is a quadruple sport athlete playing volleyball, softball, basketball, and throwing the shot put for the track team at her high school. She played club volleyball at the Ultimate Volleyball Club, Champions Volleyball Club, and Orlando Volleyball Academy. Her play with her high school team earned her the Brave Award and the Coach’s Choice Award. Hinchman is a stellar student as well earning the presidential scholarship to Queens. Off the court she attended Florida Girls State 2008 and is a member of Law Magnet, National Honor Society, Law Honor Society, Distinguished Scholar, the Mock Trial team that place 7th in the state, and the Moot Court team that received the Best Legal Brief Award.
"Melissa has such a magnetic personalilty! Something as a coach I love to see in players as we start the recruiting process. I am eager to begin coaching her when she gets here in the fall!"
Alison Williams, a 6'1" middle blocker/right side is a former two year starter for the women’s basketball team here at Queens who is switching things up this year. Williams joined Queens from Rougemont, N.C., where she graduated from Northern Durham High School in 2007. While there she played soccer, basketball, and volleyball. At the middle blocker position she earned the MVP award and the Best Defense award for her efforts on the volleyball court. She was also named to the PAC Six All-Conference Honorable Mention team and was the team captain. Williams led her team in blocks, kills, and serving percentage. Since arriving at Queens the scholar athlete has been on the Dean’s List is a part of the National Junior Honors Society.
"Ali is a constant reminder why I love my job! She has been dedicated and energetic since starting spring practices with us. With 3 years of volleyball eligibility left I am very optimistic about how successful she can be for our program. She has proven to be one of the strongest blockers on this team coming off of spring and will no doubt contend for a starting position next fall either in the middle or on the right side."
Coming to us out of Fredericktown, Ohio, a six foot middle from Highland High School is Ashley Winters. She helped her team become the Red Division Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Champions in 2008. Winters has set school records for aces per season, aces per career, kills per season, and kills per career. Her spectacular play on the court has earned her spots on the All-Ohio Honorable Mention team, the Central District First team, and the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference First team. She played club one year for Kaepa Buckeye out of Columbus. Winters works hard in the classroom also being that she is a member of the National Honor Society and has received her academic letter.
"What I like about Ashley is that she can play any position asked and be good at it. She hails from a small area in Ohio but has big goals for what she wants to accomplish during her time at Queens. Her work ethic and determination to take over a starting role is what I liked about her from the beginning. She will no doubt see significant court time in the fall."
Tori Hernandez, a six foot middle blocker, is a native of Gainesville Fla., where she attends Gainesville High School. The Presidential Scholar award recipient will be joining the front line as well next year. Hernandez’s play has helped her to accumulate the most blocks on the team. The team captain was named to the Gatortown Classic All-Tournament team and the All-Area Second team. Off the court, Hernandez stays involved. She is part of the National English Honor Society, she made the Dean’s List, and she placed second in the Alachua County Writing Contest.
Sarah Malpass is the third of the recruiting class that is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship here at Queens. She hails from Gainesville, Fla., where she attends Gainesville High School as well. The defensive specialist or libero earned the Hustlin’ Hurricane award in 2008 and the Coach’s Award in 2009. Malpass is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, and the Volleyball Club.
"Being able to sign both Sarah and Tori to our program is outstanding! Not only do they hail from a powerhouse high school and club program where volleyball is continually successful, but these two are outstanding and quality young ladies determined to bring Queens to the level it is capable of being. Sarah will come in next fall and immediately push to take over our vacated libero position while Tori will use her aggressiveness at the net to get significant playing time either on the right side or middle. They have known each other and been best friends since birth so it is fun to see these two girls able to continue their volleyball careers together at Queens."