A trio of the states finest prep volleyball players have signed National Letters of Intent for volleyball at Illinois State University. Lincoln-Way East setter Jenny Graham, Crystal Lake Central outside hitter Savannah Knowles and Mother McAuley outside hitter Maura McCarthy bring outstanding prep and club credentials to coach Sharon Dingmans Redbird program.
Dingman appreciates the quality athletic skills, determination and experience all three can bring to Illinois State volleyball.
This class will bring athleticism, quickness, jumping ability and, most importantly, the experience of playing at elite levels in high school and club volleyball, said Dingman, in her third season at Illinois State. They understand the work ethic necessary to succeed at very high levels and are motivated to succeed at those levels. They are dynamic, competitive individuals who want to win some Missouri Valley Conference championships.
Student Sports.com ranks Graham, a Mokena native, among its top 100 recruits, nationally, for 2002-03. Knowles has been one of the top players in Chicagos Northwest Suburbs throughout her career. McCarthy, who lives in Orland Park, comes from one of Illinois most successful prep programs and has led her club teams to the national Junior Olympics tournaments for six straight years.
All three cited Redbird Arena and the winning Illinois State volleyball tradition as keys to their choice. Illinois State ranks among the nations top 10 in home college volleyball attendance over the past decade. With 794 all-time victories in less than 30 seasons, the Redbirds have a chance to become one of the first 10 NCAA Division I volleyball programs to reach 800 wins.
The trio will make the current Redbird team--one of the Missouri Valleys youngest--even younger next year. They will be joined by 2002 redshirt freshman Jessie Janik in their class plus six freshmen currently playing on the 2002 team to give Dingman six sophomores and four freshmen in 2003. The coach is looking forward to it.
We will have a young group (in 2003), but, including these recruits and our current players, it will have a very high talent level, said Dingman.
2002-03 ILLINOIS STATE VOLLEYBALL SIGNEES
FALL, 2002: Jenny Graham, 5-9, setter, Mokena, Ill. (Lincoln-Way East H.S.)
Savannah Knowles, 5-9, OH, Crystal Lake, Ill. (Crystal Lake Central H.S.)
Maura McCarthy, 5-10, OH, Orland Park, Ill. (Mother McAuley H.S.)
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JENNY GRAHAM, 5-9, Setter,
Mokena, Ill., Lincoln-Way East High School
Club Elite VBC
GRAHAM NOTES: Student Sports Magazine listed her as one of its Hot 100 recruits for 2003 ... led her team to three straight IHSA regional championships ... Southtown Economist All-Area player in 2001 and 2002 ... a Chicago Tribune Prep Athlete of the Week in 2002 ... Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times both listed her among the states top 25 players ... played club volleyball for Club Elite coached by Denise Lazzaroni-Kavanaugh ... major is undeclared ... led club team to 13th place in the national club tournament in 2000, 11th in 2001 ... 2002 MVP of national junior club classic tournament in Chicago ... daughter of James and Janet Graham, with sisters Lauren and Olivia ... her dad played football at Purdue and her mother played volleyball at Iowa ... honor student ... Jennifer Jean Graham, born 8-29-85.
QUOTING JENNY: "The coaches made a big impression. I know (fellow ISU recruits) Maura (McCarthy) and Savannah (Knowles) and played against them in club ball. Im excited they are going to be at Illinois State. The crowds are so involved. Redbird Arena is a great atmosphere. Illinois State has a great schedule and plays some excellent teams. I like good competition. It makes me play better. I like the opportunity to work hard and win. They have that at Illinois State.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON JENNY:
"Jenny comes to Illinois State ranked as one of the top 100 recruits in the nation. If you break it down by position, she would rank very high in the setter category. She has been well-trained and will continue to work hard to improve. She loves the responsibility of being a setter."
SAVANNAH KNOWLES, 5-9, OH,
Crystal Lake, Ill., Crystal Lake Central High School
Sky High VBC
KNOWLES NOTES: 2001 Special Mention Chicago Tribune All-State ... 2002 member of Northwest Herald High Five volleyball team ... her 2002 prep team was ranked as high as No. 10 in the state ... broke school career kills record as a junior ... hit .441 with a team-high 281 kills in 2001 ... hit .329 as a sophomore ... a four-year varsity starter who led her team to 102 wins in four seasons ... prep coach Doug Blundy ... played five years of club volleyball for Sky High black ... also participated in track and field as a high jumper and high hurdler... major is undeclared, with teaching and coaching a possibility ... daughter of Jeff and Stacey McInerney ... prep high honors student ... Savannah Kathleen Knowles, born 12-19-84.
QUOTING SAVANNAH "When I was in eighth grade, I went to the (Illinois High School Association) state volleyball tournament and fell in love with Redbird Arena. I kept going back to Redbird Arena every year and hoped I could play there in college. I was thrilled when I first got a letter from Illinois State. Its the perfect place for me. I love Sharon (Dingman) as a coach. She talks to you and tells you exactly how it is, but she seems to enjoy coaching and the players enjoy being coached by her.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON SAVANNAH:
"Savannah is just a great athlete. She has a big jump and is quick, much like (current Redbird outside hitter) Staci Boyce. She can ball-handle as well as any recruit in the country. She has a lot of shots and understands how to use her shots. Savannah plays the whole game very well."
MAURA McCARTHY, 5-10, OH,
Orland Park, Ill. (Mother McAuley H.S.)
Second City VBC
McCARTHY NOTES: All-conference selection led Mother McAuley to 53-12 record in her last two seasons ... selected Daily Southtown Player of the Week... president of student council at Mother McAuley ... prep coach Nancy Pederson ... played club volleyball for Second City teams which placed 11th or higher at the national tournament in each of her six seasons, including No. 5 in 2002 ... major is education ... daughter of Timothy and Carol McCarthy, with sister Jeanne and brother Jeff ... her dad, now the Orland Park police chief, played football at Illinois ... National Honor Society student ... Maura A. McCarthy, born 4-7-85.
QUOTING MAURA: "Illinois State is just an amazing place for volleyball. I looked at a lot of schools. Illinois State has the kind of team and kind of college I was looking for. I felt like I belonged from the time I got there and met the coaches. Plus, I love how close it is to home. I cant wait to get there. Its exciting to play with Jenny (Graham) and Savannah (Knowles). We know each other from playing club volleyball and I have great respect for them.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON MAURA:
"Maura is a very competitive athlete. She wants to be the one taking the big swings at the end of a tight game. She has tremendous leadership skills, as evidenced by the fact that she is president of her senior class. Her volleyball IQ is very high--just like her academic IQ.
