Volleyball Welcomes Four New Additions to 2012 Squad

June 25, 2012

HOUSTON--Prepping to begin her first season at the helm of the Cougar volleyball program, University of Houston volleyball head coach Kaddie Platt welcomes the addition of four new student-athletes to the 2012 squad.

Transfers Abby Simmons (Phoenix, Ariz./Utah), Cortney Warren (Houston/Alabama), Kaiti Waters (Richmond, Texas/HBU) and incoming freshman, Shelby Vance (Belmont, Calif./Carlmont HS) will join eight returners for the upcoming season.

"I am excited about our new additions. All four of our new faces will bring something needed and different to the squad," said Platt. "We are looking forward to getting started with blending the returners and newcomers into a well-balanced team."

Shelby Vance
FRESHMAN - 6'0" - MIDDLE BLOCKER - CARLMONT HS (CA)

Thoughts from Coach Platt: Shelby is an extremely hard worker who is tremendously competitive. She has had great training, plays high, and has a great arm. She will compete for a starting position on the outside this season.

A Belmont, California native and Carlmont High School graduate, Shelby Vance is a 6-foot outside hitter that was a four-year varsity starter for the Scots. She helped her team to the CCS-Semi Finals her final three seasons, while leading the team in kills, digs and blocks her senior year.

Notable honors:

2011 All-County honoree
2011 First Team All-League honoree
2011 Athlete of the Year (school award)
2011 Volleyball MVP for Offense & Defense (team)
2011 Athletic Directors Award honoree for sportsmanship
2011 Athlete of the Week - SM Daily Newspaper
2011-12 Under Armour Girl's High School All-American Watch List
2010 First Team All-League honoree
2010 Volleyball MVP for Offense & Defense (team)
2009 First Team All-League honoree
2009 Volleyball MVP for Offense & Defense (team)
2009 Gold Medal at the Junior Olympics with Vision Volleyball Club

Off the court:
Off the court, Vance was a student advisor, student conflict resolution team member, a member of the Key Club and Shadow Program. She volunteered at Sunrise, an assisted living program that deals with Dementia patients. She is the daughter of Donna and Todd Vance and has two younger siblings, Abbey and Carson. Vance is undecided on a major.

Abby Simmons
TRANSFER - 6'0" - SETTER - UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

Thoughts from Coach Platt: Abby brings a wealth of experience to the setting position as well as natural leadership ability. Abby has had great training and has played at a high level. She will be an immediate impact with her super competitive spirit.

Abby Simmons comes to Houston as a transfer from the University of Utah. The 6-foot setter played three seasons for the Utes in the Pac-12. She helped Utah to a Sweet 16 berth and a Mountain West Conference Championship in 2008. Simmons hails from Phoenix, Arizona and Desert Vista High School.

Notable honors:

PRIOR TO HOUSTON

Pac-12 All-Academic team
Three-time Mountain West All-Academic team

HIGH SCHOOL

First Team All-State
East Valley Tribune Arizona 5A Player of the Year
Central Region Player of the Year
Arizona Republic All-Arizona team
Three-time All-Region honoree
Two-time All-City honoree
Two-time Team Captain
Two-time Team MVP

Off the court:
Off the court, Simmons was a member of SPEAK club, a student-ran club promoting awareness and knowledge about eating disorders and was a member of SAMS, student-athlete mentors.

Cortney Warren
TRANSFER - 6'0" - OUTSIDE HITTER - UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

Thoughts from Coach Platt: Cortney will have to sit out the 2012 season but will be training with the team and getting accustomed to the team systems. We look for her to be a huge impact in 2013 as we transition into the BIG EAST.

Cortney Warren joins the Cougars after playing her 2011 season at the University of Alabama and the 2010 season at the University of Oklahoma. Warren is a 6-foot outside hitter, who was a four-year letterwinner at Elkins High School in Houston.

Notable honors:

PRIOR TO HOUSTON

Third on team in kills (230) at Alabama
Second on team in hitting percentage (.260) at Alabama
Named to Rocket Classic All-Tournament team
Named to Hampton Inn Bama Bash All-Tournament team
Saw action in 50 sets at Oklahoma as a true freshman
Totaled 17 kills during the Houston Invitational

HIGH SCHOOL

2-time First Team All-District honoree
2-time Second Team All-District honoree
Second Team All-State in 2009
Rookie of the Year in 2007
Named MVP in 2007 Junior Olympics
Helped team to Junior Olympics title in 2007

Off the court:
Off the court, Warren volunteered with Mission Prom, an organization that helped less fortunate girls benefit from prom.

Kaiti Waters
TRANSFER - 6'0" - MIDDLE BLOCKER - HOUSTON BAPTIST

Thoughts from Coach Platt: Kaiti is a great athlete and solid volleyball player. She can play multiple positions and will develop into a six-rotation player. Kaiti has a great blocking presence and good instincts on the net.

Kaiti Waters joins the UH squad after playing last season at Houston Baptist under Platt. Waters is a 6-foot middle blocker from Richmond, Texas, who was a four-year letterwinner for the Foster High School Falcons.

Notable honors:

PRIOR TO HOUSTON

Helped HBU to a 22-9 overall record and a third-place finish in the conference tournament

HIGH SCHOOL

4-time Academic All-District honoree
3-time First Team All-District honoree
2010 District Senior of the Year
2007 Second Team All-District
Helped team to Area Champs in 2010
Helped team to Regional Semifinal Champs in 2009
Made two appearances at the Junior Olympics
Placed third in the National Division at the Junior Olympics in 2010

UP NEXT
The Cougars kick off the 2012 season at the Sports Imports Classic hosted by Ohio State on Aug. 24-25 with their first contest slated for 10:30 a.m. vs. Toledo. Houston will then continue the tournament with a 4 p.m. contest against host-Ohio State before wrapping up on Saturday with a 12:30 p.m. contest against Oregon.

SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
Houston Volleyball Season Tickets are available. For $50, fans can enjoy the Flex Ticket plan, which allows you to use your tickets how you desire--one ticket per game or multiple tickets to fewer games.

For more information regarding season tickets, call the UH Athletic Ticket office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or visit http://www.uhcougars.com/tickets/hou-tickets.html.

GROUP TICKET INFORMATION
Houston Volleyball is offering Group Ticket deals as follows:

Groups 15-49: $4
Groups 50-99: $3
Groups 100+: $2

Group tickets are available to organizations of 10 or more people who purchase tickets in advance. Group pricing is not available at the door.

*To order tickets for your group call the UH Athletic Ticket office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or email grouptickets@uh.edu.

STAY CONNECTED
Continue to stay connected all season long with Houston Volleyball. Insight into the Cougar program can be found through Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HoustonCougarVolleyball
Twitter: @UHCougarVB

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