Alabama Volleyball Signs Three in Early Signing Period
11/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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Barker and Green are both middle blockers while Blackburn is a setter/outside hitter. All three will be freshmen at Alabama next year.
“First of all I’m very pleased to be adding a group with the experience and skills of these three players,” said Green. “All three of them come from winning programs and possess a great winning attitude. They are all outstanding student-athletes on the court and in the classroom. The thing I really like about this group is their anxiousness to be a part of the Crimson Tide volleyball program.”
Blackburn, a 5-11 native of New Castle, Ind., is a four year letterwinner from New Castle Chrysler High School. A two-time All-State selection, she guided NCCHS to an appearance in the State Final Four in 2001. A left-handed hitter, Blackburn has twice led her prep team in hitting percentage. She is a member of the Munciana Club team that has captured a pair of AAU age group National Championships. Blackburn was a club teammate of current Bama standout Erin Heffner.
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“Abbi may be one of the best all-around volleyball players we’ve signed,” said Green. “She has a wealth of volleyball knowledge and a tremendous amount of experience playing at a high national level. She has a strong left-handed swing. I’m excited about training her at the setter spot because I think it will provide our team with a large amount of versatility.”
Barker, a 6-2 middle from Garland, Texas, is a four-year standout from Garland Christian High School. A three-time all-district honoree, she was named All-State as a prep senior. A team captain this past season, Barker helped lead GC to back-to-back TAPPS 4A Final Four appearances the past two years along with a pair of Regional Championships. She is also a standout basketball player having earned All-State honors in addition to owning the school single season rebounding and blocked shot records. Barker is a member of the North Dallas Club team.
“Katie is a tremendous athlete,” added Green. “She is an extremely competitive player that possesses all the qualities that we are looking for in a middle blocker. Katie is a complete player on the court.”
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“Rachael has a great combination of strength, speed and size to play the middle blocker position,” Green said. “She is a tremendous jumper and a good all-around athlete. I really like the enthusiastic attitude she has especially on the court.”
The trio joins an Alabama team that has now posted four consecutive winning seasons. Alabama is currently preparing to travel to Fayetteville, Ark., to face No. 18 South Carolina on Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the opening round of the SEC Championship tournament.
