May 25, 2006
WACO, Texas - The Baylor volleyball 2006 incoming freshman class was ranked No. 16 in the nation, the second-highest ranking in school history behind the 2000 class that ranked third, PrepVolleyball.com announced Thursday.
Setter Taylor Barnes (Arlington, Texas), middle blocker Anna Breyfogle (Buda, Texas), middle blocker Ashlee Cooper (LaPlace, La.), right-side hitter Lauren Keeton (Groesbeck, Texas) and opposite-side hitter Katie Sanders (Katy, Texas) comprise a class that is arguably the deepest in high quality players in school history. The 2000 class consisted of only three players - Stevie Nicholas, one of Baylor's only two conference freshman of the year honorees, Tisha Schwartz, a member of Baylor's 25th Anniversary Team, and Amy Wallace, who played only part of one season at Baylor.
"We're very proud of this class, because it's the first real class we've brought in, and we're proud of the young ladies that are coming and the character and ability they possess," head coach Jim Barnes said. "My staff - Geno Frugoli and Candice O'Brien - put in a lot of work to bring in these types of athletes. This class is going to be the foundation that the program will be built upon, so we expect them to come in and contribute early and help get us in the top 25."
Taylor Barnes was named to the Mizuno/Volleyball Magazine All-America Team and was named Texas' Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Arlington Martin to the state title. Breyfogle, along with Barnes, was named a PrepVolleyball.com High School All-American, which recognizes the nation's top 150 players, while Cooper, Keeton and Sanders each earned first-team all-state honors in their respective divisions.
PrepVolleyball.com editor John Tawa made these comments about Baylor's 2006 class:
"The Bears will receive an infusion of talent the likes of which hasn't been seen in Waco in many years. The cornerstone piece is Barnes, who should be a four-year starter and multi-time all-conference player at the setter position. Barnes, who is left handed, has a dazzling array of offensive moves, a lethal jump serve and a deft setting touch that makes her hitters look good. Speaking of hitters, Baylor got two very good ones in the skywalking Breyfogle, who will be an efficient attacker wherever she plays; and the hard-working Sanders, who should be strong on the right side. Keeton is one of the physically strongest kids in the class. In a year or two, she could be an all-conference performer. Cooper, at 6-5, has a strong arm and is very intense and competitive. Before her career is done, she could be the best of all the attackers in this class."
Baylor was the only school in the top 20 to not make the NCAA Tournament last season and each of the other 19 advanced at least to the second round with the exception of Texas A&M, which lost to another team with a top-20 class - Northwestern. The Bears were also one of three teams (Texas A&M, Northwestern) in the top 20 to not appear in the final 2005 CSTV/AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
The entire 15-player roster will be on campus in July, as the five freshman will join their new teammates for the late summer school session. The Bears begin practice Aug. 9 and open the 2006 campaign against UC-Davis Aug. 25 in Berkeley, Calif.
