BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Head coach Travis Hudson announced on Monday that the WKU volleyball team will welcome four newcomers to the 2010 team. Janee Diggins (Indianapolis, Ind.), Ashley Potts (Louisville, Ky.), Lindsay Spears (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Melanie Stutsman (Floyds Knob, Ind.) will suit up for the Lady Toppers next season.
Diggins is a two-time All-County selection. Playing for Pike High School in Indianapolis, she was also named to the All-Conference teams her junior and senior years and was the co-captain of her team her senior year. She will leave Pike High School as the school record holder in kills for a season, with 346, and solo blocks in a season, with 64. “We are tremendously excited about signing Janee” Hudson said. She is an extremely gifted athlete who we know will develop into a dominate offensive player. She has a great career ahead of her here at WKU.” “I am so thrilled to be a future Hilltopper,” Diggins said. After visiting the beautiful campus I was ready to sign that day. I know that Western Kentucky University is the perfect fit for me because they have what I need academically and in the athletic department. I know that my years at Western Kentucky University will be the best four years of my life.” Potts, a product of Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, is a 2009 All-State Tournament team member and a two-time All-Region Tournament team selection. During her time at Sacred Heart, she received the Freshman Defensive Player of the Year award, the JV Defensive Player of the Year award, the 110% JV Award, and the Varsity Most Improved Award. In addition, she has been named a KHSAA Academic All-State scholar two times. In 2008, she was named to the KVCA Second Team and she was also a member of the JVDA National All-Tournament Team. She also helped lead her club team, KIVA, to the 2009 JVDA National Championship. “Ashley is one of the premier defensive players in the country,” Hudson stated. “She is a relentless, dynamic defender who will have an immediate impact on our program. She will be a fan favorite at WKU with her intense, aggressive approach to the game. She is a flat out winner.” “I am looking forward to joining the WKU volleyball team because it is a family, figuratively and literally, since my sister, Kelly, already plays there,” Potts’ said. “I love everything about the school, the team, and the coaches. I have wanted to play volleyball at WKU since I was in the eighth grade.” Spears, a three-sport athlete from Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis, is a two-time All-Marion County Team honoree. Additionally, she was named to the Conference Indiana All-Conference Team in 2008 has been named the team MVP and Most Outstanding Offensive Player. In 2009, she was also named to the Academic All-State Honorable Mention Team. She is also a member of the Circle City club volleyball team on the 17-1’s team. In basketball, she was an Indiana Jr. All-Star last season, team MVP, an All-Conference selection, and All-Marion County Team honoree and named the Most Outstanding Player of the Warsaw Invitational. In track, she was a member of the 1600 meter relay team that holds the Perry Meridian School record and a two-time Conference Indiana champion in the 1600 meter relay. She also participated in the Indiana State Finals in the 1600 meter relay her junior year. A member of the National Honor Society, she is also a member of the Blue Crew, Link Crew and Best Buddies. “I am very excited about being a part of the WKU volleyball program,” Spears said. “Everything about the school and the team seemed to be a good match for me. From my first visit, I have felt very comfortable at WKU. The coaches and players have always made me feel very welcome. I look forward to getting on the court and doing what I can to help the team.” “Lindsay is a terrific athlete who has excelled in volleyball, basketball and track at the high school level. With her primary focus shifting to volleyball at the next level, I think you will see her blossom into a fantastic player offensively. She is a very versatile athlete with a huge upside as a volleyball player.” Stutsman, a senior at Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs, Ind., is a member of the KIVA club volleyball team. She accumulated over 900 assists this season while also racking up over 200 digs, 170 kills and 60 aces. As captain of her high school team, she led the Highlanders to the state semifinals while also leading the team in assists, kill percentage, aces and was ranking third in blocks. She ended her career at Floyd Central with a 125-26 record. "Melanie is one of the most gifted setters in the class of 2010,” stated Hudson. She has helped both her high school and club teams’ finish among the best in the country. We have had two All-American setters here at WKU and she has all the tools to put herself in that company in her career here.” The four newcomers will join a 2009 team that will begin its search for a second consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championship this week.
