Volleyball adds four for 2011
November 17, 2010 | Volleyball
Nov. 17, 2010
MADISON, Wis. - Four of the top volleyball players in the nation will join the Wisconsin Badgers in 2011. Ellen Chapman from Glenview, Ill.; Crystal Graff from Madison, Wis.; Deme Morales from Amherst, Ohio; and Courtney Thomas from DeKalb, Ill., rank among the top 88 players in the country by PrepVolleyball.com.
"Our 2011 recruiting class ranks as one of the best in the nation and they will have a major impact on our program," said UW head coach Pete Waite. "There are a number of multi-skill athletes in the group and they've shown that they are as good in the back court as they are in the front
"They bring in good ball control, skill on the block and a desire to play great defense. We're very excited about each one of these players, they'll be doing some great things during their career as Badgers."
Chapman, a 6-foot-4-inch outside hitter, was ranked No. 6 by PrepVolleyball.com on its Senior Aces list. She was the top-ranked player in the state of Illinois and was named one of the 25 Underclassmen to Watch by Volleyball Magazine in 2010. Chapman was named the Pioneer Press Player of the Year in 2009. She earned all-state honors in 2009, aiding Glenbrook South High School and coach Katie Hoover to a third-place finish at the state championship. Chapman put away more than 400 kills her last two seasons and nearly 300 digs.
Chapman plays for Sky High Volleyball Club and coach Scott Harris. She was a 2009 AAU All-American, aiding her 16 Black team to the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championship. Chapman is also a three-time state track championship participant in the high school, winning the state title as a sophomore.
"Ellen is a mobile outside hitter who has an approach touch of 10-feet-5-inches," said Waite. "She is comfortable ball handling in the back row and she regularly attacks from the backcourt as well. She was the Illinois state high jump champion so we know she brings great athleticism."
 Courtney Thomas  | |
Thomas, a 6-0 setter/outside hitter, ranked No. 16 by PrepVolleyball.com. She was named to the 2010 U.S. Women's Junior National training team. Thomas is an all-state honoree and also a four-time all-conference selection at DeKalb High School for coach Stephanie Gooden. She was also named the Daily Chronicle Player of the Year.
Thomas also plays with Sports Performance Volleyball Club under coach Rick Butler. She was named the best setter at the 2008 National Junior Classic and 2008 Junior Volleyball Association Classic.
"Courtney has great all-around skills," said Waite. "She is a physical attacker with a keen ability to score in any situation. She is a smooth setter with good mobility and great decision making abilities. Courtney plays with a great confidence on the court and she knows how to make the players around her better."
 Crystal Graff | |
Graff, a 6-foot-3-inch outside hitter, ranks 21st by PrepVolleyball.com. She won a silver medal at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games as a member of the 2010 USA team. Graff also participated in the 2006 and 2007 USA High Performance Select A1 camp. She has been recognized nationally as a National Junior of the Year finalist and Class of 2011 Top 50 Recruit by PrepVolleyball.com. She also earned All-America honors from USAV Junior Olympics and PrepVolleyball.com.
Graff is a two-time first team all-state selection and was named the 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Wisconsin. She is a three-time all-city and three-time all-conference honoree and was named the 2009 Big 8 Conference Player of the Year and the 2009 Wisconsin State Journal Player of the Year. Graff led La Follette High School to the 2010 Big 8 title for coach Mark Rushton. She also competed for Capital Volleyball Academy under coach Dave Bayer.
"For a 6-foot-3-inch outside hitter, Crystal has some of the best ball handling skills in the country," said Waite. "She is as good defensively as she is offensively and Crystal is comfortable hitting from the right or the left. She has been working with a strength coach for the last two years and she has become much more physical on the court. She'll be joining us in January so she'll be able to get a head start on her training with our team and working with our strength coach."
 Deme Morales | |
Morales, a 5-foot-7-inch middle hitter/defensive specialist, ranked No. 88 by PrepVolleyball.com. She is a two-time first-team all-state selection. She is also a three-time all-conference selection, earning conference MVP honors as a senior. Morales is a four-time first-team all-district honoree, earning MVP honors as a junior and as a senior.
Morales earned AVCA MaxPreps National Player of the Week honors for coach Laurie Cogan at Amherst Steele High School. She was also the AVCA MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Week twice. Morales also plays with the Maverick Volleyball Club under the direction of Mike Sweitzer.
"At 5-foot-7, Deme is an explosive middle blocker for her Amherst High School team and her jump touch is 9-foot-10-inches," said Waite. "She is a hard-nosed defender who will be a great back court player for us. She's an impressive athlete who brings a tough jump topspin serve and can attack well out of the back row. She's pretty quiet off the court but she's an intense competitor when the whistle blows.
"As a class this 2011 group ranks among our best ever and we're not done. We have a couple of more players we'll be announcing soon who will make this group even better," added Waite. "We're really looking forward to having them all join us, it's really a special group."
