Feb. 7, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University volleyball coach Travis Hudson announced the addition of 6-0 freshman setter Caron Blotch, a transfer from the University of Texas, to the Lady Toppers team on Friday. Blotch is eligible to play this fall after being released from her scholarship and National Letter-of-Intent obligations.
Blotch played high school volleyball with current Lady Topper freshman outside hitter Jessie Wagner at Franklin High School in Franklin, Ind. Last fall, she started 28 of Texas' 30 matches and played in 29 as the team went 22-8 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. As a freshman, Blotch had 1,201 assists on the season averaging 12.51 per game. She was named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Week on Oct. 14 for her play.
"There are a lot of reasons I decided to transfer here," said Blotch. "One of them is that the school is closer to home. Also, I wanted to major in architecture and when I got to Texas I wasn't able to do that. I went to high school with Jessie and she told me that I would be able to major in it here.
"Going to Texas was like a dream because it was a chance to play at a big school, but once I got there I realized I didn't want to be at such a huge school. I talked to Jessie quite a bit last semester and she tried to keep me happy."
"Certainly, Sara Noe's (Louisville, Ky.) graduation leaves a big hole for us to fill," said Hudson, of Noe who holds both the school's single-season (1,814) and career assist records (5,172). "With Erica Ringger (So., Ft. Wayne, Ind.) returning and Caron coming in, it gives us a solid group of setters for years to come. I am very excited to have a player of her caliber joining the team."
In 2002, Western (33-5) claimed its first-ever Sun Belt Conference Tournament title to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first-time in school history. The Lady Toppers finished the regular season with an NCAA-best and school record 30 wins as they won their third-straight Sun Belt Conference Eastern Division Championship.
"Texas was a successful program and I wanted to continue to be a part of a strong program," said Blotch. "The success Western had this season really helped my decision. Plus, I got a chance to meet the rest of the team and we really blended."
