DAYTON (OH) — Dayton volleyball fans have recently been asking for additional information on UD’s great 2013 Volleyball recruiting class. John Tawa of prepvolleyball.com was kind enough to provide up to date information on the 2013 recruiting class. John’s website tracks prep volleyball recruiting at a national level and a one year subscription is available for $29.95 per year.
Dayton has four players rated in the top 110 which is certainly the highest rated class in UD vball history. Comments are not currently available on Alyssa Beach and Lauren Gresham who are ranked out of the top 100. I was unsuccessful at receiving comments from club coaches on the players, primarily because club season hasn’t started yet.
Alyssa Beach is a 6-2″ MB from Perrysburg, Ohio. She plays for the Club Team Premier.
Lauren Gresham is a 6’2″ OH from St Joseph’s Academy in St Louis, Missouri. She plays club ball for St Louis CYC.
Lauren tore her acl more than a year ago. Here is a link to that story:
Here is what John had to say about Rachel Fortner, the number 57 recruit in the country.
57. Rachel Fortner, 5-11 S, St. Henry (Erlanger, Kentucky), Elevation — Dayton A very athletic player who has set and hit in a 6-2 offense for most of her career, Fortner is slated to set only at Dayton, where she has committed. As a setter, her hands and location have improved greatly over the past year. Her teams, in both club and high school, ALWAYS seemed to perform better than their talent. Fortner, who steers the ship, is a large reason behind that success. She is a leader on the court as well as the classroom. Ever driven to improve, Fortner has this positive, workmanlike, belief in her teammates and in herself, and losing never enters into the equation in her mind. Simply put, she’s a winner. The Flyers will do well with her in the lineup.
I was able to receive a great email response from Rachel Fortner when I asked for her thoughts on coming to UD and what she is focusing on at this time.
“Thanks for reaching out to me. I am very excited to be a flyer next year. I have been very impressed since the minute I stepped on campus. For example, the student body turn out at the volleyball games is like no other college in the country. The red scare is a force to be reckoned with :). The volleyball team has a tremendous reputation throughout the country, and I cannot wait to put on the Dayton Flyer uniform. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the volleyball players, and they have made me feel part of the team since day one. The camaraderie of the girls and the relationship they have with the coaches is key to their success”.
“Every alumni that I have talked to over the years has said nothing but great things about UD – especially the academics and school spirit. I try equally hard in academics as in athletics. I have maintained a top 3 academic rating over the 4 years in high school. My high school volleyball team finished 2nd in the region losing to the #2 in Kentucky. We won Kentucky All ‘A’ State earlier in the year. I won all Tournament Team for every competition (District, Region, All ‘A’) and the MVP of District. My strengths are academic excellence, drive to win in volleyball and my ability to lead. I am still perfecting my skills to get better and better. I have been working on my setting location and a tough serve”.
“I can’t wait to join the girls this summer!!”
Taylor Fricano broke the UD volleyball camp touch record this past summer. Here is what John had to say about the number 33 recruit in the country:
33. Taylor Fricano, 6-3 OH, Palatine (Illinois), Sky High — Dayton Fairly new to the game, having only two years of club experience, Fricano is just starting to understand what type of player she can be. She is 6-3 and growing, with a very athletic build and already jump touches 10-5. One of the fastest rising players on this list, Fricano has all of the physical tools to be a monster at the pins once her experience catches up to her unbelievable potential. Her blocking is first rate right now, which is why she has made a home for herself on the right side. Fricano has worked hard to become a six-rotation player, even going as far as attending several libero camps to improve her ball skills. That work ethic and level of motivation, coupled with her size and athletic prowess, make the coaching staff at Dayton, where Fricano has committed, smile thinking of the impact she will make on the Flyer program and the fear she will strike into the hearts of the Atlantic 10.
If you have the opportunity to watch any of these great recruits in action please give us your opinion.
If any recruits or parents read this and would like to provide their thoughts feel free to add comments below or send me a private message.
Exciting times for volleyball fans!
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