Head coach Debbie Brown

Prep Stars Sign With Irish Volleyball

Dec. 2, 2011

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame volleyball head coach Debbie Brown recently announced that a pair of prep student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the University beginning in the fall of 2012.

Hanna Muzzonigro (Gibsonia, Pa.) and Taylor Morey (Muncie, Ind.) represent the two-person signing class that will be eligible to compete with the Irish during the 2012 season.

“I couldn’t be happier to sign this incredibly athletic and accomplished duo,” Brown said. “While they’ll provide a wealth of potential to our program, they are just as excited to become great student-athletes and representatives of this University on and off the court.”

On the heels of falling just short of claiming a 10th tournament title at the BIG EAST Conference Championships, Notre Dame finished the 2011 season with a 17-13 overall record. The Irish graduate seniors Frenchy Silva and Kristen Dealy while returning 12 players for the 2012 campaign.

Taylor Morey – Libero – 5-6 – Burris Laboratory – Muncie, Ind.

The Morey File: Named Indiana’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2010 … first team Under Armour All-American and invited to play in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Volleyball Match & Skills Competition in San Antonio, Texas … one of the top 25 high school volleyball players in the class of 2012 according to ESPNHS … tabbed as one of the top sophomores (2009) and top juniors (2010) by PrepVolleyball.com … four-time letterwinner at Burris Laboratory (Ind.) while leading the squad to a pair of undefeated seasons and four conference titles … recorded an overall record of 147-7 on the volleyball court as a prep student-athlete … four-time all-league and three-time all-state choice … paced prep squad to three sectional, regional and state crowns … team captain as a junior and senior while also earning All-America honors in each of those campaigns … led club team to 18-open AAU national title … four-time conference champion while earning three sectional, regional and state titles as a prep … featured in the December 2009 Sports Illustrated issue as part of its “Faces in the Crowd” feature … won three NSA World Series titles on the softball circuit with the Indiana Shockwaves … born Sept. 30, 1993, in Muncie, Ind. … full name is Taylor Noelle Morey … daughter of Jack and Ingrid Morey … has five siblings: Andrew, Ashley, Allyson, Ryan and Jennifer … Allyson plays volleyball at Dayton … involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Exchange Club and Kiwanis.

Brown on Morey: “Taylor is the ultimate competitor. I have loved watching her compete over the last few years and I can’t wait for her to bring that intensity and competitive drive into the Notre Dame program. We believe she is the best libero in the class of 2012 and will be a difference maker in our program. She has an excellent jump serve that will score points, her defensive range is amazing and she can pass the ball on a dime. Taylor will make others around her better and she will be a leader on the court from day one. When I left the AAU national tournament before Taylor’s junior year of high school she was easily my favorite player in the class of 2012 and our top recruit. We are honored she chose to come to Notre Dame and we are eagerly looking forward to her arrival on campus next August.”

Hanna Muzzonigro – Setter – 5-11 – Pine-Richland – Gibsonia, Pa.

The Muzzonigro File: A four-time letterwinner at Pine-Richland (Pa.) while leading her squad to a trio of sectional titles … two-time team captain … paced Pine-Richland to a regional crown in 2010 … notched all-conference, all-region and all-state accolades as a junior … led team to an undefeated season while winning the 2010 WPIAL title … second-team all-WPIAL in 2009 … all-tournament team member at the state showdown in 2010 … part of Volleyball Magazine’s 2009 Roll Call … earned a mention in PrepVolleyball.com’s 2010 All-American listing … daughter of Thomas and Debra Muzzonigro … full name is Hanna Nicole Muzzonigro … born Jan. 22, 1994, in Bronx, N.Y. … has two siblings, Cassandra and T.J. … Cassandra plays volleyball at Providence … father played rugby at Union College … member of National Honor Society … hails from same area as Notre Dame men’s tennis standout Casey Watts and former Irish All-American setter Jamel Nicholas.

Brown on Muzzonigro: “Hanna is a talented setter with tremendous upside. She is a strong leader on the court and has a great touch on the ball and locates it well. Hanna attacks the second ball well and creates havoc for the opponents middle blockers. In addition, she has a good vertical jump and is an excellent blocking setter. Hanna has had excellent technical training and understands the game well. We are so eager to have her join us as she will bring added depth to the setting position.”

–ND–