Pair of Incoming Volleyball Players Named High School All-Americans
2/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Feb. 12, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Kelsey Anderson and Kayla Fitterer, who will both join the Crimson Tide volleyball team in August, were recently named 2008 PrepVolleyball.com High School All-Americans. This list recognizes the top 150 high school players in the nation.
"We are very proud for Kelsey and Kayla to have earned this national honor," said head coach Judy Green. "Both of these young women have put in the time, effort and commitment to reach this level of success. We feel there will be many more high school all-Americans that will follow in their footsteps to be a part of Alabama Volleyball."
Anderson, a 5-8 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Louisville, Ky., was named the 2008 Kentucky State Player of the Year and earned the 2008 Miss Kentucky Volleyball crown. She made both the All-State and All-Region teams that same season as well as being named to the Berkeley Classic All-Tournament Team. Anderson's 2008 Mercy Academy squad went 40-1 en route to securing state championship honors. In addition, her high school team advanced to national competition and finished second in 2008.
Statistically, Anderson also had a stellar year finishing with 642 kills for an average of 15.6 per match. She hit .385 and was solid at the net totaling 57 blocks. In the back row, Anderson scooped up 205 digs and served up 83 aces. Fitterer, who hails from Edwardsville, Ill. led her team to back-to-back conference and regional championships and advanced to the sectional championships this season. During her sophomore season at nearby Althoff High School, Fitterer guided her team to conference, regional, sectional and super-sectional championships after advancing to the regional championships her freshman campaign.
In 2007, she was among the nation's top recruits being named to Prepvolleyball.com's Top 50 Recruits in the 2009 Class. In addition, she was named the Alton Telegraph Large School Volleyball Player of the Year, Illinois All-State First Team, News-Democrat AA All-Area Second Team and Southwestern Conference First Team. At the conclusion of her sophomore season, Fitterer garnered Illinois All-State Second Team honors, News-Democrat Class AA All-Area First Team accolades and South Seven Conference First Team distinction. She was also named St. Louis Post Dispatch Athlete of the Week. Fitterer's freshman season produced several awards as well being named to the Illinois All-State Honorable Mention team, News-Democrat AA All-Area Second Team and South Seven Conference First Team. She was a four-year varsity starter throughout high school and currently holds her school's career kills record with 1,259.
To be named a high school all-American by PrepVolleyball.com, the individual must have made a massive impact on her high school team and be one of the top three to five players in her state, except for areas where volleyball talent is higher such as California, Texas, Indiana and Illinois. In these states, players must be among the top 10. In total, 122 seniors made the list followed by 26 juniors and two sophomores. Anderson was one of three players in the state of Kentucky to earn the distinction, while Fitterer was one of 10 honorees from Illinois recognized.
