Indiana University Athletics
IU Volleyball Adds Four in 2012 Recruiting Class
11/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 9, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana Volleyball Head Coach Sherry Dunbar has announced the addition of four recruits for the 2012 season. The recruiting class is highlighted by AAU All-American Amelia Anderson, and includes Indiana All-State selections Kyndall Merritt and Courtney Harnish and an All-Area Player of the Year in Mariah Coleman.
Dunbar is excited about all four players and says they fill needs in the program moving forward.
"This 2011 recruiting class definitely fills needs that we have in our program right now and we look forward to welcoming them into our Hoosier family and moving forward with our program," said Dunbar.
Amelia Anderson, the daughter of Julie and Chuck Anderson, is from Lake in the Hills, Ill., and is a 6-1 outside hitter. Anderson was twice named an AAU All-American for the Sky High Volleyball Club in Illinois, where she led her club teams to consecutive AAU national championships. At Crystal Lake Central High School in Illinois, Anderson earned first team all-state honors and broke the school records for career kills and blocks in a season. A three-time all-conference honoree, Anderson was named to the Frosh 59, Soph 79 and Senior Aces by PrepVolleyball.com, putting her among the top players in her national high school class throughout her career.
"Amelia was our first commitment in this class and someone I've gotten to know very well throughout the recruiting process," said Dunbar. "It is exciting to finally have her here at Indiana. She already bleeds the cream and crimson and has the potential to make an early impact to our program. She has the size and physical attributes to be a very good six-rotation player in the Big Ten."
Mariah Coleman, daughter of Julitta Allen, is from Longview, Ill., and is a 6-2 right-side hitter. Coleman played for Heritage High School in Broadlands, Ill., where she earned first team all-area and all-conference honors. She was also just pick out of three finalists for All-Area Player of the Year honors. Coleman is also a basketball player at Heritage.
"Mariah was a late commitment for us and one that I'm extremely excited about," said Dunbar. "She is mature beyond her years and someone that has the potential to make a big mark here at Indiana both on and off the court. She has unlimited physical potential that will need to be developed, but with training, she could be elite."
Courtney Harnish, the daughter of Thanh and Randy Harnish, is from Muncie, Ind., and is a defensive specialist. Harnish was a first team all-state selection in 2011 for perennial state power Burris High School. As a senior, she also earned Academic All-State honors and was a first team all-conference selection. In 2010, she helped Burris to an undefeated season and a state title, earning second team all-state, academic all-state and all-conference honors in the process. Harnish played her club volleyball with the Munciana Volleyball Club.
"Courtney comes from a great background of playing at one of the most prestigious high schools in the country at Muncie Burris. She also has played club for Munciana which is one of the best club programs around. She has been well trained and I expect her to come in ready to compete at a high level."
Kyndall Merritt, the daughter of Stacy and Kevin Merritt, is from Georgetown, Ind., and is a defensive specialist. Merritt was a second team all-state selection in 2011 for Floyd Central High School, where she is the all-time leader in digs. Merritt played club volleyball for KIVA in Louisville. She earned first team all-area and all-conference honors as a senior, and as a junior was second team all-conference and played on the Indiana Junior All-Star team.
"Kyndall adds a spark when she's on the floor," said Dunbar. "She is a scrappy, hard-nosed defensive player that brings in more of that defensive mentality that I think we need in our program. This situation is a great opportunity for her here at Indiana and a great opportunity for us to add depth to this position."
The Hoosiers return to action on Nov. 11-12, when they host No. 2 Nebraska and Iowa. For complete coverage of all things IU Volleyball, stay tuned to IUHoosiers.com.
