The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Volleyball Adds Three Zips to 2019 Roster
November 14 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron head volleyball coach Tom Hanna announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Zips' 2019 roster on Wednesday. Rachel Abramson (Waddell, Ariz.), Arianna Barksdale (Chula Vista, Calif.) and Lauren Latka (Zionsville, Ind.) signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Akron in the fall of 2019.
Abramson, a left side hitter from Waddell, Ariz., is the all-time kill leader at Verrado High School with 868 kills. As the team captain during her senior campaign, she was honored as the team MVP and was also named Regional Offensive Player of the Year. She earned All-Conference Honorable Mention as a junior and was named to the All-Region Second Team during her sophomore season. Abramson was also a member of the Arizona Sky Volleyball Club.
"Rachel is player who brings us a physical presence on the left side that can hit with velocity while improving our first contact skills," said Hanna. "Another season of Open level play with Arizona Sky will be important as she continues to play at a high level prior to her arrival on campus. She has a lot of upside in her future development as well, which makes her an exciting addition to our program."
A middle blocker from Chula Vista, Calif., Barksdale was named to the All-League Team and San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team. She helped lead her team to the CIF Playoffs twice. Barksdale played for Coast Volleyball Club, which she helped win the Northeast Qualifier. She earned All-League honors as a junior.
"Arianna is a physically gifted player who we're excited to develop over the coming years. She's a late comer to the game who has made significant development over the last two years while playing at a great club in Coast," Hanna said. "Another physical addition to our program, it's going to be exciting to watch Ari develop over the next few years as a Zip."
Latka, a libero from Zionsville, Ind., was the team captain as she helped her team win the Sectional Championship. Latka was also named to the JVA Watch List and a Prep Volleyball Honorable Mention Defensive Dandy. As a junior, she helped her team to win the Conference and Sectional Championships. Latka also was a member of Team Indiana Volleyball. She earned Academic All-State honors and is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Lauren is a solid player who has a great balance of strong serve receive abilities to go with a solid defensive skill set," Hanna said. "She's been a key performer at Zionsville and with Team Indiana who has experience in high level matches that will help her transition easily to the college game. We're excited to have Lauren join our program!"
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron head volleyball coach Tom Hanna announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Zips' 2019 roster on Wednesday. Rachel Abramson (Waddell, Ariz.), Arianna Barksdale (Chula Vista, Calif.) and Lauren Latka (Zionsville, Ind.) signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Akron in the fall of 2019.
Abramson, a left side hitter from Waddell, Ariz., is the all-time kill leader at Verrado High School with 868 kills. As the team captain during her senior campaign, she was honored as the team MVP and was also named Regional Offensive Player of the Year. She earned All-Conference Honorable Mention as a junior and was named to the All-Region Second Team during her sophomore season. Abramson was also a member of the Arizona Sky Volleyball Club.
"Rachel is player who brings us a physical presence on the left side that can hit with velocity while improving our first contact skills," said Hanna. "Another season of Open level play with Arizona Sky will be important as she continues to play at a high level prior to her arrival on campus. She has a lot of upside in her future development as well, which makes her an exciting addition to our program."
A middle blocker from Chula Vista, Calif., Barksdale was named to the All-League Team and San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team. She helped lead her team to the CIF Playoffs twice. Barksdale played for Coast Volleyball Club, which she helped win the Northeast Qualifier. She earned All-League honors as a junior.
"Arianna is a physically gifted player who we're excited to develop over the coming years. She's a late comer to the game who has made significant development over the last two years while playing at a great club in Coast," Hanna said. "Another physical addition to our program, it's going to be exciting to watch Ari develop over the next few years as a Zip."
Latka, a libero from Zionsville, Ind., was the team captain as she helped her team win the Sectional Championship. Latka was also named to the JVA Watch List and a Prep Volleyball Honorable Mention Defensive Dandy. As a junior, she helped her team to win the Conference and Sectional Championships. Latka also was a member of Team Indiana Volleyball. She earned Academic All-State honors and is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Lauren is a solid player who has a great balance of strong serve receive abilities to go with a solid defensive skill set," Hanna said. "She's been a key performer at Zionsville and with Team Indiana who has experience in high level matches that will help her transition easily to the college game. We're excited to have Lauren join our program!"
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