TUCSON – Arizona has received Letters of Intent from three top volleyball players who will begin their collegiate careers in 2016, head coach Dave Rubio announced on Tuesday.
Arizona will welcome Shardonee Hayes from Columbus High School in Columbus, Ga., as well as Devyn Cross and Elizabeth Shelton from Desert High School on the Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The trio of middle blockers make up an incredibly athletic class that should make an immediate impact on the court and help boost Arizona's scoring at the net.
“We haven't had a class like this in a long time,” said head coach Dave Rubio. “It's been since maybe since 2005 when we brought in Kim Glass, Bre Ladd and Jennifer Abernathy, that we've had this kind of talent. Now whether or not at the end of their careers they develop into players like that when they were here, time will only tell. But athletically, this puts us in a whole different category. We haven't had players like this in our program in quite some time. All that said, they need to learn how to play volleyball at an elite level.”
DEVYN CROSS
6-1 // MB
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (Desert H.S.)
A first-team all-league performer at Desert High School where she helped lead the team to an undefeated season in 2014 and thus far in 2015 … Named Rookie of the Year and two-time Athlete of the Year at the school … Co-MVP of the Desert Mountain League … Is currently second in her division in hitting (.395) and kills (306) while ranking fourth in digs (302) and fifth in blocks (95) … A member of the National Honor Society as well the recipient of multiple principle and superintendent honor roll recognitions.
Why Arizona? “I chose Arizona because of the welcoming atmosphere; I like how close everyone seems and how they welcomed me from the first time I met the team and the coaches. It was a natural fit for me in the academic and sports environment and the coaching staff sees my potential and they will help me become the best player that I can be.”
What will she bring to the program?
Devyn says: “I will bring the willingness to do whatever it takes to help get the program to the next level.”
Coach Rubio says: “Devyn is fast, quick. She accelerates and is an elite jumper. Devyn, along with Liz (Shelton), is touching 10' 5” (vertical jump). She is, from a physical standpoint, really, really good.”
SHARDONEE HAYES
6-3 // MB
Columbus, Ga. (Columbus H.S.)
First-team Under Armour All-American … Named Division 5A Player of the Year as well as Area 1-AAAAA Player of the Year … Ranked the 60th in the country by Max Preps and Prep Volleyball … Three-time all-state performer and two-team all-area first-team … Cited as an all-city performer … As a senior, has posted 530 kills and 114 blocks, part of her 1,351 kills and 315 blocks in her career … A member of the honor roll at the No. 1 high school in Georgia … Plays violin in the high school orchestra … Has accumulated over `100 hours of community service while volunteering for different organizations and events in her community.
Why Arizona? “When I met the coach and the players, I just felt at home. I felt like I belonged in this program. I wanted to go to place that I've never been before, but my main focus was to just out of the southern part of the United States. When I went on my unofficial visit last year in November, I fell in love with the school. I fell in love with the campus, the coaching staff, the team, etc. I just fell in love with the whole school. When I went on my visit, it was like I could picture myself being there for the next four years after I graduate. Arizona was just a place that I've never been and experienced, so I am so happy that it will be my home for the next four years after I graduate.”
What will she bring to the program?
Shardonee says: “I hope to bring my passion, heart, hard work, mental toughness and physical strength to the program. I am a player who is just so passionate about the game because I love it so much, so when I play you can tell. I am a hard worker, and I hope to reach the level that I need to reach in this program.”
Coach Rubio says: “Shardonee has probably the most advanced skillset out of the three, but equally as good athletically. And she is big. We feel that she is the best player in Georgia.”
ELIZABETH SHELTON
6-2 // MB
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (Desert H.S.)
An honorable mention AVCA Under Armour All-America performer … League leader in kills in 2015 after finishing second in 2014 … Named league co-MVP … Helped lead team to two consecutive league titles … Also lettered in track and basketball, leading team to four total league championships in addition to the two volleyball titles … Has accumulated 372 kills on a .417 hitting percentage in 2015 to go along with 58 aces and 77 blocks … Named Desert High School's Co-Athlete of the Year in 2012 … Earned Desert High School's Most Outstanding Student and has been a member of the Superintendent's Honor Roll (4.0-plus GPA) all four years … Recipient of the University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas Award in 2014.
Why Arizona? “I chose Arizona because of the great academic program and support system provided for the student athletes.”
What will she bring to the program?
Elizabeth says: “I hope to bring positive energy to the Arizona volleyball program.”
Coach Rubio says: “Liz has every intangible you need to have to be an elite player. With that, she also has an amazing amount of talent. The thing that she will need to work on is the skillset and aptitude, but she has two of the four at an exceptionally high level. We know that with time, she will develop into an elite player.”
Follow Arizona Volleyball: For further coverage of Arizona volleyball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and follow the team's Twitter and Instagram accounts (@ArizonaVBall).
