June 18, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame’s six-person incoming freshman class was recently tabbed by PrepVolleyball.com as the nation’s 13th-best recruiting class. The newcomers will help replace six departing seniors which led the Irish to the 2009 BIG EAST Conference regular season title and a national ranking while finishing the season with a 21-7 record.
“We think very highly of this skilled class which, as a whole, is very athletic with tremendous versatility,” Irish head coach Debbie Brown said. “We expect big things from them over the next four years, and we’re elated to be recognized by PrepVolleyball.com.”
Notre Dame received the highest ranking of any BIG EAST member.
USC, Penn State and Stanford held the top three spots, respectively, in the rankings.
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PrepVolleyball.com
13. NOTRE DAME
Maggie Brindock, 5-10, S, Rockwell (Texas)
Samantha Brown, 6-2, RS, St. Pius X (N.M.)
Sammie Brown, 5-10, S, Dos Pueblos (Calif.)
Andrea McHugh, 5-10, OH, El Dorado (Calif.)
Andrea Olsen, 6-3, MB, Bishop O’Dowd (Calif.)
Nicole Smith, 6-1, OH, Page (Tenn.)
Comment: The Fighting Irish have great balance in their six-player class. On the outside, Smith, who won the Tennessee Gatorade award as a junior, is a great athlete ready to hit high and hard after being sidelined last winter and spring by an ACL tear. McHugh is one of the top all-around players in the class. The Youth National Team member could be a feisty L2 in South Bend or one of the premier liberos in the country. In the middle, Olsen could start as a freshman. She puts up a nice block and has an improving arm swing. Samantha Brown has made great strides this club season after recovering from an ACL tear. A big block, she’s now touching 10-4. Coach Debbie Brown recruited two beach stars to set the Irish. Sammie Brown sets Santa Barbara, one of the nation’s best club teams, and is a smooth, accomplished player. Brindock is a pure athlete with great confidence. Both could set and hit in a 6-2 eventually.
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