“I couldn't be more excited about the potential of this recruiting class,” said Hudson. “These kids give us the physical presence to continue to compete with the best schools in the country. They are all three tremendous young people who will continue to shine a very positive light on WKU Volleyball in all areas.”
Lindsay Williams will join the Lady Toppers from South Elgin, Ill., where she played her senior season at St. Charles North High School. A 6-foot-2 middle blocker and outside hitter, Williams is an all-league and academic all-district nominee following her senior season. She played two seasons at Brea Olinda High School in Brea, Calif., helping lead her squad to the California Interscholastic Federation semifinals in 2004 and a quarterfinal appearance in 2005. She also helped lead Prairie Ridge High School to a regional championship in 2006 before transferring to St. Charles North. She has also been a starting middle blocker on a handful of club teams.
“Lindsay is a kid that I think will fit our style of play very well,” said Hudson. “She is a strong, athletic player that will be a huge factor for us with added strength and experience.”
WKU also added a setter out of Illinois with the signing of Lauren Stuckel. Stuckel — a four-year letterwinner at Althoff Cathlolic High School in Belleville, Ill. — earned honorable mention all-state honors after leading her squad to a fourth-place finish in the Illinois State Class 3A Tournament this fall. In fact, it was the second all-state selection of Stuckel’s career as she also was honored following her junior season. A two-time first-team all-conference honoree the past two seasons, she has also guided Althoff Catholic to a third-place finish and a spot in the elite eight of the Illinois State Tournament.
Stuckel has also starred for Southwest Illinois Volleyball Club the past three years, leading the club to the Junior Olympics each year. She was also named the Most Outstanding Setter of the 2007 Prepvolleyball.com Classic, and to the Prepvolleyball 2008 Senior Aces list.
“Lauren is a very accomplished setter at the high school and club levels,” added Hudson. “The mark of a great setter is team success and she has won at every level. Having size and being left-handed will also allow her to be a factor offensively as well. We look forward to her continuing a long line of very successful setters in our program.”
Tiffany Elmore rounds out the signing class as the 6-foot-4 middle hitter will join the Lady Toppers out of North Vernon, Ind., and Jennings County High School. During her senior year at JCHS, she ranked among the state leaders in several categories. She ranked in the top 20 averaging 4.70 kills per game this fall, registering 458 kills as she helped her squad to the Class 4A Sectional 15 semifinals. She also posted a .362 hitting percentage, which also stood among the top percentage in the state. Defensively, Elmore averaged 1.20 blocks per game. She tallied 121 total blocks on the year — 64 solo blocks and 57 block assists.
“Tiffany is a kid that we are very excited about, said Hudson. “She has very little experience, having not played club ball, but at 6-foot-4 is a dominating force at the net. With added experience, we think she will be a major factor in our program.”
The trio of newcomers will join an experienced Lady Topper club that enters this week’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament following a 25-7 regular season and a 14-3 conference record. WKU will open play in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament later today when it takes on New Orleans in the quarterfinals at 6 p.m. (CST) at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver, Colo.
