April 18, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Western Carolina head volleyball coach Stephanie Dragan today announced the signing of a pair for the 2006 season during the late signing period. Liz Rondone (Bloomington, Ill./Central Catholic HS) and Katie Hennessey (North Richland Hills, Tex./Richland HS) have each signed National Letters of Intent to play volleyball for the Catamounts next fall, joining early signees, Amanda Kerr (Suwanee, Ga.) and Brittany Johnson (Maple Hill, N.C.).
"I am incredibly excited to have Lizzy and Katie as Catamounts for next season," said Dragan who enters her second year at the helm this August. "They both have the commitment to hard work off the court that will enable them to get the job done on the court. From their backgrounds, they both know how to win. Their work ethic and positive energy will compliment our early signees. Overall, I am extremely proud of this recruited class."
Rondone, a 5-8 libero from Bloomington, Ill., was a three-year member of the varsity volleyball team at Central Catholic High School. Serving as a team captain for her senior year, she was a unanimous selection to the first team Corn Belt All-Conference team as well as named team MVP. During her final season, she garnered accolades such as all-tournament team and was tabbed the WJBC McLean County High School Athlete of the Week on October 24. Last season, PrepVolleyball.com named Rondone to its Top 48 Defensive Dandies, or Dandy Lions, meaning she has excelled at every position on the court. In 2004, Rondone led the Bloomington/Normal Intercity in digs with 269, averaging 3.4 per game as a right side hitter. She also was lethal with her jump serve, recording 161 service points with 54 aces. In addition to volleyball, Rondone also played high school softball both as a freshman and sophomore.
During the off-season, Rondone played for the Illini Elite volleyball club team each of the past three seasons, posting a second-place finish in the GLC Pre-National tournament in 2004 and five, third-place showings since 2003. Last year, Rondone and her teammates finished third in the Asics Junior National Volleyball Championship in Chicago and also finished as the second runner-up in the Junior Olympic National Volleyball Championship National Division.
Rondone also excels in the classroom, boasting a 3.8 grade point average while standing in the top quarter of her senior class. She is a three-year member of the National Honor Society, while also serving as an officer of both the Writer's and Art Clubs since 2004.
"Lizzy impressed me the first time I watched her play," said Dragan. "As a libero, she has a natural instinct, reads the hitters well and easily moves to the ball. Lizzy is scrappy as well; she makes pursuing a ball look effortless. Her club team has also prepared her to compete early at the collegiate level and I know she will immediately help our serve receive and defense."
A three-year member of the Richlands High volleyball team, Hennessey, a 5-11 setter from North Richland Hills, Tex., became the only player in school history to earn the team's most valuable player award three-consecutive seasons. She was a three-time, all-district selection, earning first team honors during her junior and senior years. In 14 district matches last fall, Hennessey recorded 712 set assists, while also tallying 86 kills on an 89-percent attack percentage. Just a shade under six-foot, she also recorded 20 total blocks as the primary setter.
Hennessey played club ball for the Texas Advantage Volleyball club (TAV) and is one of 17 members of the club team to have signed to play collegiate volleyball. In 2005, Hennessey, who was the only junior on an otherwise senior laden 18's team, was elected team captain and help guide TAV to the Junior Olympic Nationals for a second-straight season. She is currently playing with the TAV 18 Molten squad where she is again serving as a team captain and has captured two tournament titles to date.
Like her late signing period counterpart, Rondone, Hennessey is a three-year member of the National Honor Society, excelling in the classroom.
"Katie Hennessey is a technically sound, experienced setter. Playing for TAV has allowed her to play against some of the toughest USA Volleyball (USAV) teams. Her club team is preparing her to compete early at the collegiate level. Katie will come to us with solid volleyball knowledge. She runs a good offense and can distribute a consistent ball while maintaining the court demeanor that I look for in a setter - intense enough to get her teammates attention, but laid back enough that she doesn't bring a lot of attention to her self," Dragan said.
Western Carolina is scheduled to open its 2006 season on August 25-26 in tournament action in Oxford, Miss., hosted by the University of Mississippi.
