Nov. 20, 2002
WACO, Texas - Baylor volleyball head coach Brian Hosfeld announced Wednesday the signing of two high school athletes and one junior college transfer to National Letters of Intent. Myshara High, Nicole LeBlanc and Kristen Schramek will join Baylor's program next fall. The Bears have earned NCAA Tournament bids two of the past three seasons.
"These three student-athletes are a great start in putting the pieces together to create a high-level of competition and much-needed depth for the future of the program," Hosfeld said. "We're excited about who we've signed thus far, and we should have a few more to add in the late signing period."
A six-foot middle blocker, High comes to Baylor from Garden City [Kansas] Community College, where she led the Broncbusters to the NJCAA Tournament each of the past two seasons. Garden City lost in the regional championship match both years. A 1999 graduate of Estacado High School in Lubbock, Texas, High earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors last year, and she is a strong all-America candidate this season. High transferred to Garden City after red-shirting at Texas Christian University in 2000.
"Myshara is a tremendous athlete with an outstanding vertical," Hosfeld said. "She has the ability to create impressive angles and make things happen at the net. Like others, there will be an adjustment period as she goes from junior college to Big 12 volleyball, but her athleticism and competitive nature should allow her to develop at the next level."
Considered one of the top attacking middle blockers in the nation, the 6-1 LeBlanc preps at Durant High School in Tampa, Fla. She is the first Florida athlete to ever sign with the Baylor volleyball program. LeBlanc led Durant to the Florida Class 5A title last fall as a junior. She was named first-team all-Hillsborough County by the Tampa Times last year.
"Nicole, because of her experience and her ability, is going to be in a position to come in and contribute right away in some shape or form," Hosfeld said. "That may be in the middle or on the outside, but she will compete for court time. She is on a very competitive club team that will be attempting to medal at the Junior National Tournament next summer. That type of experience will benefit her tremendously at the next level."
Schramek comes to Baylor from Boerne [Texas] High School. She also has played for Bexar County Juniors and will play for Alamo out of San Antonio, Texas, this year in club ball. Alamo produced former Baylor great Tatiana Kenon and current Bear Kara Kennedy. Schramek led Boerne to the Class 4A regional semifinals this fall.
"Kristen brings a love and a passion for the sport that will inspire teammates to practice and compete at a higher level," Hosfeld said. "She could make an immediate impact defensively and passing, improving the way in which we control the ball. In that manner, she is a lot like former Bear Dana Atkinson."
The fall signing period extends through Nov. 20. Teams have another chance to sign athletes in April.
"We are thrilled to have these three young ladies join our family," Hosfeld said. "We look forward to working with them and helping them develop as student-athletes and people. They should all play important roles as we continue to build this program."
BAYLOR VOLLEYBALL 2002 FALL SIGNING CLASSName Pos. Ht. Hometown (High School/Last School)Myshara High MB 6-0 Lubbock, Texas (Estactado HS/TCU/Garden City CC)Nicole LeBlanc MB 6-1 Tampa, Fla. (Durant HS)Kristen Schramek OH 5-9 Boerne, Texas (Boerne HS)
