The Capital University volleyball team is set to welcome 11 first-year student-athletes to campus as members of the Crusaders, head coach Pam Briggs announced.
Briggs, who enters her 21st season at the helm of the program, looks to continue the program's tradition of excellence with this year's recruiting class. Capital has won two Ohio Athletic Conference regular season championships and an OAC Tournament title, and has reached the NCAA Division III Tournament twice during Briggs' tenure. She posted her 400th career victory early last season.
See below for information on each member of the 2013 Crusader volleyball freshmen class.
Kristin Bender
Height: 5-11
Position: Middle Hitter
Hometown/High School: Fremont, Ohio/Old Fort
Club Team: Old Fort
Bender is a two-year letter winner in basketball and a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Old Fort High School. The daughter of Carolyn and Dale, Bender plans to major in chemistry/pre-medicine at Capital.
Brooke Bennett
5-9
Outside Hitter
Hanover, Ohio/Licking Valley
Columbus Volleyball Academy/Central Ohio Volleyball Club
Bennett is a four-year letter winner, All-Mid-State League (MSL) honoree and two-time all-district recipient in volleyball at Licking Valley High School. She plans to major in athletic training at Capital and is the daughter of Candy Lehman and Dennis Bennett.
Jamie Beyer
5-11
Middle Hitter
Rushville, Ohio/Fairfield Union
X-Cite Volleyball Club
Beyer is a four-year letter winner and scholar athlete and two-year captain in volleyball at Fairfield Union High School. She looks to major in athletic training at Capital and is the daughter of Cindy and Jay.
Ryan Carr
6-0
Middle Hitter
Dayton, Ohio/The Miami Valley School
Cincinnati Volleyball Academy
Carr is a first team all-district selection and four-year letter winner in volleyball at the Miami Valley School. She is also a three-year letter winner in basketball and one-time letter winner in softball. Carr is the daughter of Lisa Smith and Derrick Car and plans to study art and Spanish.
Hanna Ewart
6-1
Middle Hitter
Wichita, Kan./Wichita East
Wichita Power
Ewart is a four-year varsity letter winner and second team all-city honoree at Wichita High School East. The daughter of Janece and Jim, Ewart plans to major in pre-physical therapy at Capital.
Courtney McCracken
5-8
Outside Hitter
Newark, Ohio/Newark Catholic
New Wave Volleyball Club
McCracken is a former Mid-State League Player of the Year, all-conference and all-district volleyball player at Newark Catholic High School. She also competed in swimming and track and field at Newark Catholic. She plans to major in pre-physical therapy and is the daughter of Abbie and Shea.
Kirsten Nickles
5-10
Middle Hitter
Loudonville, Ohio/Loudonville
Columbus Volleyball Academy
Nickles is a first team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference, second team all-area and second team all-district selection in volleyball at Loudonville High School. The daughter of Sherry and Doug, she plans to major in biology at Capital.
Kasey Parrish
5-3
Defensive Specialist/Setter
Waynesville, Ohio/Waynesville
Western Buckeye
Parrish is a three-time All-Southwest Buckeye League pick and an all-district honoree in volleyball at Waynesville High School. Parrish, who is also an All-SWBL selection in cross country, plans to major in education. She is the daughter of Lisa and Mike.
Mona Ratliff
5-11
Middle Hitter
South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern
London Elite
Ratliff is an All-Ohio Heritage Conference, all-district, all-county and All-Ohio volleyball player at Southeastern High School. She also participated in basketball and track and field at Southeastern. Ratliff is the daughter of Bridgette Neher and Dave Ratliff.
Samantha Rogers
5-3
Defensive Specialist
Oregonia, Ohio/Middletown Christian
Western Buckeye
Rogers played varsity volleyball for three years and was a second team all-conference selection at Middletown Christian School. The daughter of Jill and Rick, she plans to major in early childhood education at Capital.
Becca Scowden
5-9
Outside Hitter
Gahanna, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln
CVA Pickerington
Scowden is a four-year letter winner and former captain in volleyball at Gahanna Lincoln High School. She is also a two-year letter winner in lacrosse and a participant in basketball at Gahanna Lincoln. Scowden is the daughter of Cathy and John and looks to study nursing at Capital.
