Two freshman, one junior college transfer make up next year’s class.

May 17, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky volleyball coach Jona Braden has announced thesigning of three players for the 1999 season.

The incoming class consists of two freshmen, Kristen Batt and ElizabethMcCaslin, and a junior college transfer, Melissa Kracht.

Batt is a six-foot middle blocker and outside hitter from Venice, Fla.Batt was named the 1998 Class 5A Player of the Year and Player of the Yearin the state of Florida as a senior. She played for Venice High School andis a member of the Tampa Bay Volleyball Club.

“Kristen has such a solid, overall athletic foundation and at the sametime, she has demonstrated excellence in leading her team to championshipsand across the board execution of the game,” Braden said.

McCaslin hails from Libertyville, Ohio and stands 5-11. McCaslin is amiddle blocker and outside hitter and competes for the Sky High VolleyballClub. While at Libertyville High School, she was named to the 1998 LakeCounty All-Area Volleyball Team.

“She is an incredible athlete and has the athleticism that will allowher to reach her full potential here at UK,” Braden said.Kracht is a junior college transfer from the University of Texas atBrownsville. Kracht is an opposite hitter and is a native of Edinburg,Texas. Kracht was named to “All-Region 14” in her two years at Brownsvillewhich is unusual because the team is typically comprised of sophomores.During her freshman season, Kracht was named to the All-Conference andAll-Academic Team.

“Melissa made a wonderful contribution to her team as they went to theJunior College Nationals,” Braden said.

“They all have extremely competitive spirits, drive, determination, andoverall sense of the team concept,” Braden added. “They will give us adeeper, more athletic team.”