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Utah Volleyball Announces Pair Of Signees
11/17/2008 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 17, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah volleyball team received National-Letters-of-Intent from two student-athletes during the early signing period, head coach Beth Launiere announced. Outside hitter Brooke McAlister and setter McKenzie Odale will join the Utes in 2009.
"The combination of Brooke and McKenzie will add to our team's athleticism tremendously," Launiere said. "They are both versatile players who have played a variety of positions in the past and they will help us be successful in the future."
Below is a look at the 2009 recruiting class:
Brooke McAlister (OH, 6-0, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Pleasant Grove HS)
Led Pleasant Grove High School to runner-up finish at 5A State Championship and Region IV co-championship ... team finished season with 31-2 overall record ... selected to state championship all-tournament team ... selected as the KUTV Prep of the Week on Oct. 1, 2008 ... team finished sixth in the Class 5A state tournament and tied for 2nd in Region IV ... second-team All-State team member ... first-team All-Valley and All-Region IV selection ... named Varsity Team MVP ... During junior season, helped PGHS to seventh place in Class 5A state tournament and second place in Region IV ... Region IV Academic All-Region honoree ... earned Sophomore Most Improved Player Award in 2005 ... boasts a 3.4 GPA ... Honor Roll student ... earned Region IV Academic All-Region recognition in 2006 and 2007 ... plays for Club Utah Volleyball on the 17s Elite Black team in the Open Power Division under coach Chris Gorney ... club team finished 2008 season ranked first in the IVA 17's Power Division ... team won the Colorado Crossroads National Qualifier 17's Club Division Gold Medal ... played for and voted team captain of Summit Volleyball Club 16s Elite Gold team under coach Larry Hamilton ... team won the 16's Division 2007 IVA Regional championship.
Launiere on McAlister: "Brooke is an explosive outside hitter who can pass and play defense as well. She is a very athletic and dynamic player with a great arm. She has a great set of all-around skills and comes in with a lot of experience from both high school and club volleyball. She was not only one of the top outside hitters in the state, but the country."
McKenzie Odale (S, 5-11, Boise, Idaho, Eagle HS)
Starting setter of three state championship teams at Eagle High School in 2006, 2007 and 2008 ... Idaho State Player of the Year in 2008 ... second-team all-state in 2007 ... received 5A Academic Athlete Award twice ... two-time first-team all-conference selection in 2007 and 2008 ... second-team all-conference in 2006 ... plays at the club level for the Idaho Stars ... had four different stints with the USA High Performance team: Youth A2 Alternate, Holiday Camp participant and Junior National A2 team member in 2007 and Select A3 Camp in 2005 ... participated on two different levels with High Performance Regional Team: youth team in 2006 and 2007 and select team in 2004 ... played in Italy, Slovenia, and Austria with 2006 youth team.
Launiere on Odale: "McKenzie is an athletic setter with great speed and touch when needed. She's a very smart player and sees the court well, but her biggest asset may be the great competitive passion she brings with her every time she steps on the floor. She showed her athleticism and versatility by setting and hitting in high school, which will help her a lot on the collegiate level."
 Brooke McAlister  | |
 McKenzie Odale | |
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