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News Release

UMBC Volleyball Signs Two Players for 2008 in Early Signing Period

11/15/2007

Head coach Ian Blanchard has signed two recruits for the 2008 season.

BALTIMORE—UMBC volleyball head coach Ian Blanchard announced that two players—Alexandria Spaay and Alyssa Lang—have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Retrievers for the 2008 season.

Spaay, a setter from Kenosha, WI, has been named to the All-SEC Conference team for the past three years while playing for her high school, Kenosha Tremper, and led her team to its first state tournament appearance since 1994 in 2007.  A four-year varsity starter, Spaay has played for the Wisconsin Juniors volleyball club since she was in eighth grade and led her team to a USAV National Championship tournament appearance.

“Allie Spaay is a natural, vocal leader, who has a tremendous amount of experience,” Blanchard said.  “She is a very confident young women and an excellent setter.  She should fit in well with our team and will really add to our team chemistry.”

Lang, an outside hitter and libero from Richmond, Va. has led her high school team, Deep Run, to two straight state championship appearances, with the Wildcats capturing the 2006 state title.  A two-time First-Team All-State honoree, Lang and Deep Run are once again in the state tournament and play in the semifinals on Thursday night against Frank Cox from Virginia Beach.  The outside hitter/libero currently holds the Virginia records for most attacks in a game (53), most digs in a season (419), and most digs in a match (42).  Lang also plays for the Richmond Volleyball Club and was part of the 2007 team which placed third in the USAV 17-National division and was named at the USAV All-Tournament team.

“Alyssa Lang brings a competitive fire and tenacity that is very exciting,” said Blanchard.  “It’s her leadership quotient and competitiveness that separates her from other players.  She has a great feel for the game.  Her excellent ball control and strong defense will help contribute to our program, but it is her intensity and focus that has me the most excited.”