LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Kentucky?s incoming volleyball class has been ranked the 17th best class in the country, which gives the Wildcats three consecutive top-26 recruiting classes under head coach Craig Skinner.
Kentucky?s class includes middle blocker Gretchen Giesler, setter Christine Hartmann and middle blocker Becky Pavan. Giesler is a two-year All-Conference selection, and led her St. Charles North high school team in kills, blocks, aces and hitting percentage her senior year. Rated No. 80 among the top 100 seniors by PrepVolleyball.com, Giesler led her high school team to back-to-back conference championships in 2006 and 2007, a sectional title in 2006 and a regional title in her final campaign. Additionally, Giesler is a member of the Sports Performance club team, earning the ?Best Blocker? award at the 2006 and 2007 National Junior Classic Tournaments.
Hartmann played every match of her high school career at Rosary High School and was a four-year varsity starter. She is rated No. 35 among the top 100 seniors by PrepVolleyball.com. A two-time team captain, Hartmann was named the most valuable player of her high school team in each of her last three seasons. She was a three-time All-Suburban Catholic Conference selection, earning conference MVP honors her final campaign.
Pavan is a member of the 2006 Canadian Youth National team. Named the ?Best Blocker? of the 2006 NORCECA Championships which encompasses all of North and Central America, Pavan led Forest Heights Collegiate Institute to back-to-back county and regional championships in her final two seasons. She was named her school?s Junior Athlete of the Year. Pavan, considered the top Canadian recruit in the 2008 signing class, was named her conference?s most valuable player as a senior and a first-team all-star her final two years. A member of Team Ontario, Pavan was named the ?Best Blocker? of the Ontario Summer Games in 2006.
UK inked the eight-best class in 2007 and the 26th best group of incomers in 2006. In the last two seasons, Skinner?s squad has had seven freshmen earn All-SEC Freshman of the Week honors. The seven award winners for first year players are more than any other conference opponent. Additionally, rising junior Sarah Rumely was tabbed the SEC Freshman Player of the Year in 2006.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for complete coverage of the Kentucky volleyball team.
