May 25, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – For the second straight year, the Notre Dame volleyball program was recognized by PrepVolleyball.com for fielding a top 20 recruiting class. The web site recently cited Notre Dame’s three-person incoming freshman class as the 15th-best in the nation. The 2010 class was regarded as the 13th-best in the country.
Notre Dame’s ranking was the highest of any BIG EAST Conference program, as no other league school was nestled among the top 30.
Texas, Penn State and Illinois held the top three spots, respectively, in the rankings.
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PrepVolleyball.com
15. NOTRE DAMEToni Alugbue - 6-1 - MB - El Segundo (El Segundo, Calif.)Jeni Houser - 6-2 - MB - Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)Meg Vonderhaar - 6-1 - OH - St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill.)
Comments from PrepVolleyball.com: “Following up a highly-touted 2010 class, Notre Dame will be bringing in three of PrepVolleyball’s Top 50 2011 Senior Aces. Alugbue continues to impress and will undoubtedly provide immediate firepower for the Irish. Her versatility will be on display early as she will be utilized in both the middle and the outside. Oozing with athleticism, Alugbue will make a significant impact at Notre Dame from the get go. Houser, the 2011 Kentucky Gatorade player of the year, is a winner in every sense of the word. From high school to club ball, she has been a major contributor on some of the top teams in the country. That trend will continue in South Bend, where she will be called upon to put that big arm to work. With infectious energy and a competitive spirit that shows in her play, Houser will be a welcome addition to the Blue and Gold. Vonderhaar wraps up this talented class and offers the Irish the type of versatility they need. Having spent time as both a left side and opposite, Vonderhaar is now used to playing all six rotations and can be called upon to provide ball control, blocking and another attacking option. She plays the game like a seasoned veteran and has the type of court savvy that is calming to teammates around her. This trio is primed to leave a big mark at Notre Dame and the Irish are anticipating that impact to be felt immediately.”
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