Volleyball Signs Three
November 14, 2001 | Volleyball
The University of Wisconsin volleyball program has signed three athletes to national letters of intent, coach Pete Waite announced today. Lauren Ford from Indianapolis; Katie Lancing from Pagosa Springs, Colo.; and Sheila Shaw from Muskego, Wis., will play with the Badgers starting in the fall of 2002.
"This is a great recruiting class and our entire staff is excited to get them in the gym with us," said Waite about his third class at Wisconsin. "It's really a group of blue chippers who will make a strong contribution to our program. All three are such good athletes that their potential is unlimited."
Ford, a 6-2 middle blocker, was a member of the 2001 USA Youth National Training Team. She aided Circle City Volleyball Club to a runner-up finish at the 2001 USA Junior Olympics. A two-time all-county player at Lawrence North High School, Ford also earned all-conference honors as a senior. She was named to the Indianapolis Star Metro Team and Super Team. Ford also lettered in basketball, where she was her team's leading rebounder as a sophomore, and in track, where she won a county title in the high jump.
"Lauren just started playing club volleyball in January of 2000, so her potential is just beginning to be tapped," said Waite. "With Circle City Volleyball Club, she ended up playing in the championship match at nationals. Lauren has a great jump and at times no one can touch her at the net. She keeps getting better and we're excited to see just how good she can get as a Badger."
Lancing, a 6-0 setter, is an all-state and three-time all-conference player. She led Pagosa Springs High School to a second-place finish at this year's state championship and a fifth-place finish as a junior. Lancing was named to the 2001 state all-tournament team and was selected to play in the senior all-star game. Her team also won four district and three regional titles. Lancing was named the 2000 and 2001 Intermountain League Player of the Year, and is a candidate for 2001 Denver Post Player of the Year honors.
An all-state basketball player, Lancing led her team to a fourth-place finish at the 2001 state championship. A three-year member of the National Honor Society and a three-year recipient of an Academic Excellence Letter for a perfect 4.00 grade point average, Lansing is a candidate for Wendy's National High School Heisman Award.
"Coming from a small town in Colorado, Katie may have gone unnoticed by many coaches," said Waite. "We see some great possibilities with Katie on the court since she's a tall setter who can really put up a big block. She's going to help us really have a big front line."
Shaw, a 6-0 middle blocker, is a two-time USA Junior Olympic All-American. She led the Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club to the 2001 USA Junior Olympic national volleyball championship. Twice she was named the best blocker at the national tournament.
Shaw is a two-time all-state and all-conference player at Muskego High School. Muskego qualified for the 2000 state championship as Shaw led the team in kills and blocks. She also lettered in basketball and track, and finished sixth in the high jump at the state track meet.
"Sheila is one of the quickest athletes coming out of the high school ranks this year--fast jump, fast arm and fast feet," said Waite. "She has the tools to be a great college player. Having grown up in Wisconsin, we know she's always wanted to be a Badger and now her dream is coming true. Having won a national championship with her Milwaukee Sting Club, I know she's prepared to compete with the best teams and players in the country."
The Badgers are currently ranked sixth in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Coaches poll with a 21-3 record and lead the Big Ten Conference with a 15-1 mark. In 2000, Wisconsin finished second in the NCAA Championship with a 33-4 record and won the Big Ten title with an 18-2 mark.
