Volleyball Inks two in Early Signing Period
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 13, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Head volleyball coach Judy Green announced the signing of Morgan Hendrix and Brianne Vande Griend to national letters of intent on Friday. The two will join the Crimson Tide in the fall of 2010.
"Overall I am very pleased with the addition of Morgan and Brianne to our program," said Green. "Both of these players have an unprecedented passion for volleyball, are extremely competitive and will help use re-create the culture we expect from our program. If you spend any time around Morgan and Bri you can feel their enthusiasm and their burning desire to help make Alabama volleyball better. They are both well-rounded people who are driven to succeed not only on the volleyball court but in the classroom and the community."
Hendrix, a 6-3 middle blocker/right side from Austin, Texas, is ranked as one of PrepVolleyball.com's Senior Aces 2010 "The 150". Recently, she helped guide the Lady Cavaliers to a 3-0 win in the regional quarterfinals to advance Lake Travis High School to the 4-A Region IV Semifinals. Hendrix's team has compiled an overall record this season of 45-3 ranking them 11th in the state of Texas. She was a 2008 USA High Performance Youth Gold Team member as well as an Honorable Mention All-District honoree. In 2007, Hendrix was an Honorable Mention Academic All-District selection. Her club career has been spent as a member of the Austin Performance team.
Off the court, she has been just as involved being honored with the U.S. Presidential Gold Medal Service Award that is given to students with over 100 hours of service. Hendrix is also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She is the daughter of Larry and Patsy Hendrix and has one younger brother, Hunter.
"Morgan brings depth to our middle and right side positions," explained Green. "We just found out last week she is still growing, so we are definitely going to be able to put up an enormous block with her at the net. She is an emotional leader on the floor for every team she has played on, and we expect her to bring that leadership to our practice gym starting next August. She is driven to excel and is hungry to become the best volleyball player she can be."
Vande Griend joins Hendrix on PrepVolleyball.com's Senior Aces 2010 "The 150" list. The outside hitter from Colorado Springs, Colo. will be playing for Colorado Springs Christian School's sixth consecutive state championship this weekend in Denver. The Lions captured the 2009 Region A Championships with a 3-0 sweep last weekend and enter the tournament as the No. 1 3A seed. As a member of the Colorado Juniors, Vande Griend placed eighth at the USA Junior Nationals in 2008 in the National Division and came in 13th in 2009.
Away from volleyball, Vande Griend enjoys working on the yearbook committee. She is also an accomplished basketball player earning First Team All-League honors following the 2008-09 season and Second Team All-League honors at the conclusion of the 2007-08 year. She is the daughter of Brian and Lori Vande Griend and has one older sister, Heidi.
"Brianne is a tremendous multi-sport athlete who impressed us with her competitive intensity and work ethic on the floor last club season," added Green. "She is a springy athlete who will become a solid six rotation player for us as her career develops. She, too, has the ability to impact a game and she looks to be a natural at the outside hitter position."
