Spikers welcome four new front-row players for 2012 campaign

Alaska Anchorage head volleyball coach Chris Green announced Tuesday the signing of four front-row players to National Letter of Intent, welcoming Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) transfer Jodi Huddleston, former South Anchorage High School star Sarah Johnson, and fellow prep standouts Maggie Avila and Breanne Sytnyk to the Seawolves' 2012 roster.

Johnson, a 6-1 outside hitter, was a starter for last year's South Anchorage squad that won the ASAA Class 4A title, earning All-State Tournament Team honors. She averaged 2.6 kills and 1.13 blocks per set, teaming with future Seawolf teammate Katelynn Zanders to help the Wolverines go 25-0 against Alaska competition.

Huddleston comes to Anchorage from WNCC, where she helped Green's former program to a junior-college national title in 2010 and a third-place NJCAA finish last year. As a sophomore, the 6'0" middle blocker hit .360 and produced 1.77 kills per set as the Cougars went 41-2. Huddleston, who played at Scottsbluff High School, will be the third former WNCC standout to play for the Seawolves under Green, joining Ariel Austin and current graduate assistant coach Stacie Meisner. Avila, a 6'1" middle blocker/right-side hitter from Park City, Utah, was her squad's Team MVP last season, after helping the Park City High School come just one match shy of its conference title in her junior season of 2010.

Stynyk, also a 6'1" middle/right-side, led her hometown Shoal Lake Sharks to a runner-up finish at the 2011 Manitoba Class A Provincial Championships as a senior last season, earning all-tournament honors. She also played on the Team Manitoba squad that earned silver at the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games.

"All four of these young women have the potential to make big impacts here, and we're thrilled they chose to join the Seawolf family," said Green, who is 74-40 in his four seasons at UAA. "We have seen close-up that Sarah has the skills and size to be an all-around player, and she obviously comes from a winning background. Jodi also has enjoyed an amazing amount of success, going 84-6 in her two seasons at WNCC, and she'll add a big presence along our front row. Maggie and Breanne both jump very well and have good, raw skills at their positions."



The foursome brings UAA's 2012 recruiting class to six players, along with fall signees Julia Mackey (5-10, OH, Fairbanks/West Valley High School) and Zanders (5-8, OH, South Anchorage High School). UAA, which plays in the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference, is coming off an 18-9 season in 2011 and its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Visit GoSeawolves.com to find out more about the upcoming volleyball season.