Nov. 13, 2009
WACO, Texas - Baylor head volleyball coach Jim Barnes announced the signing of Sam Skryd and Courtney Windham to National Letters of Intent for the 2010 season on Friday.
Skryd, a 5-9 setter Naperville, Ill., will join the Bears from Neuqua Valley High School where she was ranked in Prepvolleyball.com's Top 150, while Windham, a 6-3 middle blocker from Cypress, Texas, spent her high school career at Houston's Cy-Creek High School, earning recognition on PrepVolleyball.com's Top 115.
During her high school career, Skryd helped her team to three consecutive Upstate Eight Conference championships, earning all-conference, all-area, and Chicago Sun-Times all-state honors. Skryd was named to the all-tournament team at the Wheaton Classic and the Warrior Blast Invitational, and helped Neuqua Valley High to a school record 23 wins as a senior.
"What we are going to get with Sam is a real highly-trained setter, highly-skilled setter," Barnes said. "We are excited we are getting in a player that has a work ethic that is second-to-none."
While at NVHS, Skryd lettered in volleyball three times, and was named the team captain and team Most Valuable Player three times. She also earned recognition in the Chicago Sun-Times' "Top 50", as well as being named an Under Armour Preseason All-American.
"Sam plays the game gritty and determined, a real competitor," Barnes said. "She will fit in with the way we like to run things. She is really dynamic and fast, and brings a lot of energy to the court."
While at Cy-Creek High School, Windham helped her team to the Texas UIL 15-5A District championship as a freshman, as well as a berth in the District playoffs each of the next three years, finishing among the top four each time. Windham earned Lone Star all-state honors as a junior and senior, while also being named the 15-5A Blocker of the year and all-district first team as a senior. She lettered in volleyball all four years at CCHS, also serving as the team captain.
"Courtney brings a lot of versatility as far as being able to play multiple positions," Barnes said. "She brings a lot of height at 6-3, and plays at a real high point above the net. She can play middle or right side, and she may even be able to develop on the left side. It is rare to have a player of those capabilities."
Windham earned PrepVolleyball's All-American honors as a sophomore and senior, as well as Under Armour Preseason All-American accolades as a senior. During her career, Windham earned a spot on USAV's High Performance A-1 team as a junior, and Junior National A-2 team as a senior.
"Courtney is real competitive, goal-driven, just a real competitor," Barnes said. "She loves to play, just absorbs the game. It will be really fun to have an athlete of her talent in our gym."
