Coker Volleyball Inks Seven

by Christian Stryker, SID Coker College
5/11/2009

Hartsville, S.C. - Coker College head women's volleyball coach, Jon Stenman, is pleased to announce the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play volleyball for the Lady Cobras in the fall of 2009.

This incoming class marks the first recruiting class for Coach Stenman, after he joined Coker in the summer of 2008. In his first season with the Lady Cobras, Stenman struggled a bit, having just four returning players and no time to recruit; he compiled a record of 3-27 on the year. He is hoping that with his first recruiting class he can right the ship and return Coker to the top of the Conference Carolinas standings.

All seven signees are incoming freshmen, with five from South Carolina, one from Ohio and one from Kentucky.

Kayla Hopper is a native of Newberry, S.C. where she attended Newberry High School. She was an All-State, All-Region and North South All-Star selection for volleyball, while receiving MVP honors and the Coaches Award. She is a member of the honor roll and is listed among Who's Who among All-American Scholars. Hopper will look to fill the libero spot for the Lady Cobras left by senior All-Conference performer Kelsey Carlson.

Jordan Hancock comes to Coker from Mt. Pleasant, S.C. where she was a standout player for Wando High School. A two-time letter winner, Hancock led her team to the South Carolina AAAA state playoffs two years in a row, while being named to the All-Low Country Team. She is an honor roll student and she plans to major in Exercise Science at Coker.

Abigail Frame, a native of Sylvania, Ohio, joins the Lady Cobras from Northview high School. Frame is a two-time letter winner, three-time Honorable Mention selection and the Northview Senior Athletic Award winner. A member of the National Honor Society, Abigail is also the president of the Early Childhood program at Northview and she plans on majoring in education while at Coker.

Brittany Bass is from Bethune, S.C. where she attended North Central High School. Bass was a team captain, two-time All-State selection, three-time All-Conference selection, a North South All-Star, and two-time team MVP. She also received All-Tournament honors at the Sumter Spike-Off, Indian Land Tournament, and Carolina Challenge and was named a Wendy's High School Heisman winner. In addition to her accomplishments on the court, she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club and she was a Palmetto Girls State delegate. Bass plans on majoring in Physical Education at Coker.

Lisa Ross joins the Lady Cobras from Bowling Green, Kentucky where she was a standout player for Warren Central High School. She was a three-time All-District selection, a four-time All-Tournament team selection and an All-Region selection. Lisa is a three-time team captain and was voted most athletic during her senior season. She is a Governors Scholar nominee, a Beta Club member, an honor roll student and a four-time Academic Athlete. Ross plans to major in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Management during her time at Coker.

Molly Bookhart is a native of Orangeburg, S.C. where she attended Edisto High School. She was a member of the Palmetto State Champion 18's Power Team, was a two-time All-Star and three-time All-Region selection. She is also a member of the team that will attend the junior Olympic Nationals in July of 2009. In addition to athletic accomplishments, Bookhart is an honor roll student at Edisto.

April Griggs comes to Coker from nearby Bishopville, S.C. where she attended Robert E. Lee Academy. While at Robert E. Lee, Griggs was a two-time All-State selection and two-time All-Region selection. She was named South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA) Player of the Year in 2007 and was an All-Star and All-Area selection in 2008.

"These seven girls have the chance to do something special during their stay here at Coker College," said Coach Stenman. "Jordan, Molly, Abby, April, Lisa and Brittany all come with the experience of playing multiple positions on the court. This flexibility will allow me to show the opposition multiple looks and offensive alignments. Backing them defensively will be Kayla, a five foot ball of energy in the back row. All seven of these ladies have the chance to step in and help the program immediately. It would not surprise me to see one or more of them getting significant playing time by the time the Conference Carolinas schedule begins."

Coach Stenman and the Lady Cobras will begin their 2009 season in August, with hopes of returning to the program's former glory at the top of the Conference Carolinas standings.