The University of Akron Athletics
Volleyball Signs Two High School Standouts
November 21 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2005
AKRON, Ohio - Head volleyball coach Mike Sweitzer has announced that high school standouts, Kara Smith (Secor, Ill./El Paso-Gridley) and Liz Martin (Lowell, Ind./Lowell), have signed national letters of intent to play at the University of Akron, starting in 2006.
Smith, a accomplished setter, was a four-time varsity letter winner (2002-2005), serving as team captain twice. She was named Team MVP in 2003 and 2004 at El Paso-Gridley High School in Secor, Ill and was named to the All-Midstate Conference first-team in 2004. Her club team, Club Fusion 17 Black, participated in 13 tournaments in 2005 and reached the USA Junior National Tournament.
Smith is not only a tremendous talent on the court, but is a very successful student off of it, which has always played an important role in Sweitzer's team concept. Smith has received the Scholar-Athlete Award three times (2002-2004) and been on the honor roll all eight semesters in high school.
Martin, a Lowell, Ind. native, will be joining the Zips as an outside hitter after earning four varsity letters at Lowell High School. This past season, she helped guide her high school team to its first sectional championship in 11 years and received the Post-Tribune Volleyball Player of the Year award.
As a sophomore, Martin, who also carries a G.P.A. well over 3.5, was named to the All-Conference first team and named the team's most improved player. The following year, she was named the High School's most valuable player, while again being named to the All-Conference first team. She also added selections to the Northwest Indiana Times All-Area second team and the Post Tribune All-Area second team in 2004.
With five seniors graduating from the Zips current roster, Smith
and Martin will be looked upon to step in and help this young squad
return to the top of the Mid-American Conference over the next four
years.
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