The Barton Community College volleyball program announces the signing of seven incoming Kansas freshman to its 2015 class of Lady Cougars. With additional signees to be announced at a later date, the seven compliment the return of four players from last year's squad of second year Head Coach Phil Shoemaker.
The list of Kansas signees include:
Hannah Beam – Royal Valley High School
Megan Jirak – Chase County High School
Lydia Konrade – Topeka Hayden High School
Kristen McPherson – Andover High School
Mallory McQueen – Plainville High School
Olivia Naccarato – Mulvane High School
Brittany Ostmeyer – Southeast of Saline High School
Hannah Beam - 5'10" Outside Hitter, Royal Valley High School
Honors: All-County, All-League, All-2A State Tournament team, 2nd Team All-State Outside Hitter, Royal Valley HS (3rd in class 4A DII 2014)
Club Team: Kansas Starlings Volleyball Club
Coach's Comments: "Hannah is a "springy" athlete. A well-rounded player, a very effective and versatile competitor. A quiet leader, and a driving force for her team. We believe as Hannah grows and develops she will be a major contributor here at Barton."
Megan Jirak – 5'11" Middle Hitter/Setter, Chase County High School
Honors: All-League, All-Area, 2nd Team All-State Middle Hitter/Setter, helped Chase County High School advance to the 2014 2A State Tournament
Coach's Comments: "Megan has not had the benefit of playing club volleyball, but she is a talented multi-sport athlete, and she "gets it". Her IQ for the game is high, and will grow by leaps and bounds in the college environment."
Lydia Konrade – 5'7" Libero, Topeka Hayden High School
Club Team: Topeka Saints Volleyball Club
Coach's Comments: "Lydia is a solid athlete, and a feisty competitor. Lydia played a key role in Hayden's Silver Medal State finishes in 2012 and 2014, and the Topeka Saints National Championship Tourney team in 2014. She possesses good technical skills, and a strong desire to support her team's success. As a Libero her skills and stats may get overlooked a bit, but those closest to the team understand her contribution to team success. Lydia is also an outstanding softball player, and will be a member of the Cougars softball team as well."
Kristen McPherson – 5'3" Setter, Andover High School
Club Team: Wichita Nets Volleyball Club
Coach's Comments: "Kristen is small in stature, but will learn to do big things with training. Her technical skills are solid, and she has the heart and mind to become a very consistent and dependable collegiate setter."
Mallory McQueen – 5'6" Setter, Plainville High School
Honors: 2014 MCL First Team, 2014 NW KS All-Star Volleyball game, 2015 Sunflower Shootout Basketball game, 2014-15 MCL All-Academic Team, Student Council Vice-President, National Honor Society, 2015 Class 3-1A State Powerlifting Champion
Club Team: Western Kansas Elite Volleyball Club
Coach's Comments: "Mallory is a strong willed competitor, and has great potential as a collegiate athlete."
Olivia Naccarato – 5'11" Middle Blocker, Mulvane High School
Honors: Two-time All-League Middle Blocker; Two-time All-League Soccer; active in Student Government and Thespians
Club Team: Wichita Nets Volleyball Club
Coach's Comments: "Olivia is a physically dominating player at the high school level, and with continued training and development we have no doubt she can be a major force here at Barton. What we like equally well is that Olivia is a leader, she can't help it. Her dynamic personality allows her to make even greater contributions to team success."
Brittany Ostmeyer – 5'9" Opposite Hitter, Southeast of Saline High School
Honors: Two-time Academic All-American
Club Team: Heartland Volleyball Club
Coach's Comments: "A hard working "glue" player for her teams."
Barton opens its 2015 season Friday, August 21, in Lamar, Colorado, in the two day Little Ceasar Classic before returnin home Wednesday, August 26, as the Cougars hosts Garden City Community College in the '15 conference opener.