Nov. 13, 2013
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University volleyball head coach Travis Hudson announced the signings of five standout players to National Letter of Intents on Wednesday, as Alyssa Cavanaugh (Louisville, Ky./Assumption), Sydney Engle (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central), Amara Listenbee (Beloit, Wis./Beloit Memorial), Jessica Lucas (Seymour, Ind./Seymour) and Jackie Scott (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) will join the Lady Toppers in 2014.
"This class is the future of our program here at WKU," said Hudson. "There is a little bit of everything among this group of five athletes. We have size, athleticism and skill in a lot of different areas. They are also high character kids who come from winning backgrounds. I couldn't be more excited!"
Alyssa Cavanaugh, OH/RS, Louisville, Ky. (Assumption/KIVA)
Cavanaugh is the lone signee from the state of Kentucky, as she has led nationally-ranked Assumption High School to four state titles after the Rockets won the 2013 championship last weekend. The outside hitter is an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-America honoree as well as one of PrepVolleyball.com's Top 200 Senior Aces. A First-Team All-State selection, Cavanaugh also garnered Kentucky State All-Tournament and Kentucky All-Catholic Volleyball Team awards.
The Louisville native is one of three signees to play club volleyball for KIVA, as her team was JVA National Champions in 2011 and Cavanaugh was named to the Chicago Presidents Day Challenge All-Tournament selections after the team won the tourney championship.
"Alyssa is an explosive athlete who will be able to do exciting things in our offense," Hudson said. "Her combination of athleticism and competitiveness will make her a fan favorite from day one."
Sydney Engle, MB, Floyds Knobs, Ind. (Floyd Central/KIVA)
Engle comes to WKU from Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs, Ind. The middle blocker is an All-State, All-Area and All-Conference honoree, as she helped guide Floyd Central to semi-state in the IHSAA Tournament. She was selected to play in the Indiana Coaches of Girls' Sports Association Volleyball All-Star Game as a junior. In 2011 and 2012, she earned the most blocks on the Highlanders' team, as she hold the record for most blocks. Engle was also an Academic All-State Honorable Mention.
She played on the same KIVA team as Cavanaugh that was JVA National Champions and third at the AAU National Championships in 2011. Her KIVA team also won the AAU National Championship in 2010. Engle was named to the Chicago Presidents Day Challenge All-Tournament Team as well.
Engle will be joining her sister Rachel on the WKU roster, as Rachel is a current sophomore outside hitter for the Lady Toppers. She is also cousins with current senior libero Ashley Potts and former Lady Topper Kelly Potts.
"I am so excited to add Sydney to our program," said Hudson. "She is a long, athletic kid with great quickness and lateral speed. She will be a great fit in our offense and will impact us in many different ways."
Amara Listenbee, MB, Beloit, Wis. (Beloit Memorial/Capital Volleyball Academy)
Listenbee will join WKU in 2014 from Beloit Memorial High School in Beloit, Wis. Coming in as a middle blocker, Listenbee was one of the top players for the Purple Knights, earning her All-Conference and team MVP honors. She served as captain and was voted Offensive Player of the Year. Off the court she was very highly involved, active in organizations like the National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Listenbee was also an Academic All-State student-athlete and earned the AP Scholar Award.
Listenbee played club volleyball for Capital Volleyball Academy. Listenbee's team finished first in the Spike A Rama tournament, second at the WVA Invite and third in the Badger Region Championships in the 18 Open Division.
"The thing that jumps out at you immediately with Amara is her athleticism," said Hudson. "She can really get off the floor. As she gets stronger and more experienced, I think you will see her develop into a special player here at WKU."
Jessica Lucas, S, Seymour, Ind. (Seymour/KIVA)
Lucas will come to WKU after earning All-Conference, All-Area and team MVP all four years as a setter at Seymour High School in Indiana. A First-Team All-State honoree, Lucas set the career assist record with 3,597 and single-season assist record with 988 while guiding her team to the IHSAA Final Four in 2011 and Final Eight in 2012. Lucas was invited to play in the ICGSA Junior All-Star Volleyball Game in 2011. Coached by her mom, Angie, in high school, Lucas will be a midyear enrollee at WKU.
With KIVA, Lucas was selected to the AAU All-American Team in 2012. She led the team to as high as a runner-up finish in the AAU National Championships this year and Mideast Power League Champions in 2011 and 2013. She was also selected to the JVA Showcase All-Tournament Team two different years.
"We think Jessica is one of the top setters in the country with still a tremendous upside for improvement," said Hudson. "The fact that she will enroll early will allow her to fully grasp our offense and be ready to lead us from day one."
Jackie Scott, OH/DS, Wildwood, Mo. (Lafayette/Rockwood Thunder)
Scott is an All-State, All-District and All-Conference outside hitter/defensive specialist from Lafayette High School in Missouri. Named as an honorable mention to PrepVolleyball.com's Senior Aces list, Scott was a three-year state champion, including this past season, with Lafayette and helped set the best record in Missouri high school volleyball history in 2012 as the team went 40-0 and 80-0 in sets. Called as one of the "Players to Watch" in the St. Louis area, Scott was also a three-time Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-State honoree.
Scott was selected to compete at the 2011 High Performance Championships and was the September 2011 USAV Player of the Month. With Rockwood Thunder club volleyball, Scott helped her team to placing first in the Gateway Division for three years while finishing as high as seventh at Nationals in the Open Division.
"Jackie is the most skilled of all the kids in this class, but the thing that drew me to her is she is a flat out winner," said Hudson. "She will affect our team in many different ways and will do all the winning things that it takes to compete at the highest level."
For all the latest news and information on WKU volleyball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program on Twitter via @TravisHudsonWKU and @WKUVolleyball.
