Marshall University Athletics
Volleyball Inks Two Players for 2011 Season
11/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 18, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University volleyball head coach Mitch Jacobs recently announced his signing class for the 2011 season. The recruiting class consists of two players, Sammie Bane and Katie Potts, who both look to make an immediate impact on the Thundering Herd squad.
"We are very excited to be adding these two young women," Jacobs said. "Although both are primarily setters they bring completely different skill sets to the table and give us even more depth to our already young returning team."
Sammie Bane, Setter, Brownstown, Ind. (Brownstown Central HS)
Sammie Bane hails from Brownstown, Ind., where she was as four-year letter winner at Brownstown Central HS. Bane has earned numerous national honors throughout her career. Most recently, Bane was named to PrepVolleyball.com's 2010 Senior Aces, which recognizes the top 250 seniors in the United States. She was named a 2008 All-American Honorable Mention selection and was ranked a top-79 player in 2008 and top-59 player as a freshman by PrepVolleyball.com.
Bane not only led the team in assists but served as a team captain all four years of high school. She earned first team Indiana All-State accolades and team MVP on three occasions, along with Indiana Academic All-State Honorable Mention accolades.
"Sammie Bane is one of the strongest leaders I've watched play at the club volleyball level in a long time," Jacobs said. "She has a fire that inspires her teammates and reminds me in that way of Katie Stein, who was the most competitive player I've ever coached. Sammie is small, but makes up for it with incredible athleticism and skill. She has been running a 5-1 offense her entire high school career, starting since she was a freshman and is as close to ready for the college level as any high school player will be."
During her four years at Brownstown Central, Bane played in every set of every match and the team posted a 124-24 record during her career. In 2007 and 2008 she led the team to an Indiana State Finals Runner-Up finish, while the team was named conference, sectional and regional champions from 2007-2010.
Along with her high school success, Bane played at the club level for the Union Volleyball Club in New Albany, Ind. In 2008, she was named to the AAU Nationals All-Tournament Team, earned JVDA Nationals MVP honors and was named to the JVDA All-Star Team. A year prior, Bane was selected to the AAU Nationals All-American Team as her squad qualified for the Juniors Olympics.
An extremely gifted athlete, Bane was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and track and field. She holds the school record in the pole vault and 400-meter race and a member of the record setting 1600-meter team. In all three events, Bane was a three-time sectional champion and regional qualifier.
Outside of athletics, Bane is a member of the National Honors Society, and a three-time V.I.P Award Winner for excellence in academics, attitude and achievement.
Katie Potts, Setter/Right Side, Duluth, Ga. (Northview HS)
Katie Potts comes to the Herd from Northview HS in Duluth, Ga. Potts provides great versatility with the ability to set and play the opposite side attacker position. During her high school career, Potts helped lead her team to a 2010 5A State Championship Runner-Up position, while earning First Team All-State, Senior All-Star, along with breaking the school record for assists in a career with 1,024. Potts averaged 8.22 assists per set during her career, first in school history and fifth in the state of Georgia.
"Katie Potts is a completely different player than Sammie. She's a 6-foot-1 setter and opposite attacker that brings us versatility," Jacobs said. "Katie has great hands and has been setting and attacking for her club in Atlanta. Because she has been playing in a 6-2 scheme for most of her career she has a lot to learn as a setter, but the fact that we are looking to move toward a two setter future rotation she is the perfect complement to Sammie. Katie has a great upside, I believe she will be one of those players that will improve considerable every year throughout her career here."
In 2009, she helped guide Northview HS to the 5A Final Four, while claiming the 5A Area Championship and earning First Team All-Area. As a freshman and sophomore, she was a part of a 5A State Championship squad, while earning the Best Offensive Player Award in 2007.
At the club level, Potts played for the A5 team and TCA Atlanta. In 2009 she was a member of the TCA Atlanta squad that captured the SRVA Region Championship and was a Junior Olympic Nationals Silver Medalist.
Beyond her athletic success, Potts is an honor roll student and member of the National Honors Society. She earned the Northview Legion of Scholars for her outstanding academic achievement and garnered the V.I.P. award on four occasions in four different subjects.
"I believe that with our previous two freshmen classes that brought us six very athletic and big offensive weapons, having these two setters join the program is perfect for where we need to be. Along with Ryanne Milligan, who will be a junior setter next year, we are going to be in great hands, pardon the pun, as we move forward after the Liz Fleming era," Jacobs said.
