May 14, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University volleyball coach Travis Hudson announced the signing of Greenwood High School all-state player Megan Frericks to a National Letter-of-Intent.
Frericks, who played both as an outside and middle hitter for the Gators, is the first local player to join the Lady Topper program. She played a key role in the success of the young Greenwood program and was a three-year starter. The Gators went 36-4 her senior season advancing to the state tournament for the first time in school history in 2002.
"I chose Western because I wanted the full experience of college," said Frericks, whose sister Kelly is a junior on the women's soccer team. "The other schools I was looking at were in big cities and didn't have much of a campus.
"Coach Hudson is an awesome coach. When you play in tournaments everybody has heard about Western Kentucky because of him."
"We're extremely excited that Megan decided to join our program," said Hudson, who expects Frericks to be an outside hitter. "For her to be the first local kid to become a part of our program is very exciting. I think it opens an avenue for other kids to see that they may have a chance to compete at a high level."
In her three seasons at Greenwood, Frericks - who has played the sport for just three years - compiled 934 kills, 244 blocks, and 226 aces. As a senior, Frericks was named all-state, all-region and all-district. She was an all-region and all-district selection in her first two seasons. Frericks also plays for the Impact Volleyball Club in Nashville, which finished second in the 2002 Junior National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah.
"I made the decision after my first of year volleyball that I wanted to play in college," said Frericks. "When I started I didn't know much about volleyball, but once I was shown how to do some of the things it started to come easily to me. It's also new enough that it's still something I want to do everyday."
"After being recruited by several colleges, Megan made the decision to stay close to home and join Western's very successful volleyball program," said Greenwood volleyball coach Holly Whittinghill. "I am very proud of all that Megan has accomplished in just three years, and what she has done for our program at Greenwood.
"As a sophomore, Megan was one of nineteen girls who had very little or no experience on this inaugural team. Megan became more focused during her junior year, and decided that her ultimate goal was to play collegiate volleyball. That focus paid off."
Frericks is the second player to sign with Western Kentucky for the upcoming season. She joins Ashley Deignan (Louisville, Ky.) as signees for 2003. They are joined by Caron Blotch (So., Franklin, Ind.), who transferred from the University of Texas at the start of the spring semester.
