AMES, Iowa – The 2011 Iowa State volleyball recruiting class has been ranked No. 25 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com it was announced on Wednesday. The ranking marks the fourth-straight year the Cyclones’ recruiting class has ranked in the top-25, following a No. 25 ranking in 2008, rising to No. 10 in 2009 and coming in at 16th in 2010.
"We are excited to have a recruiting class ranked in the top 25 for the fourth-straight year,†head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said. “Recruiting coordinator Trudy Vande Berg has done an outstanding job of finding and recruiting the best players in the country and this ranking is a reflection of her hard work. This is a very talented class for us and will help keep Iowa State volleyball among the best programs on the country."
The 2010 Des Moines RegisterPlayer of the Year, Tory Knuth (6-4, MB, Johnston, Iowa), is an explosive middle blocker with the ability to force opponents to change their game plan. The four-time all-state selection will join sister Taylor and the rest of the Cyclones as the team pushes for a six-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Archbishop O'Hara standout Tori Hurtt (6-2, OH, Kansas City, Mo.), was named a 2010 PrepVolleyball.com High School All-American after helping to lead O’Hara to its fourth-consecutive Missouri state championship. Hurtt’s ability to play both sides of the ball will add much-needed depth to the Cyclones after the graduation of seniors Victoria Henson and Ashley Mass.
The final piece of the 2011 recruiting class, Taylor Goetz (5-6, DS/S, Ankeny, Iowa), helped lead the Ankeny Hawkettes to back-to-back state titles in 2008 and 2009 before returning to the championship match in 2010 where they fell to Iowa City West. An Iowa Power Volleyball Association teammate of Knuth’s, Goetz has an all-out mentality and quick reaction time that have garnered her Defensive Dandy honors from PrepVolleyball.com.
Each of Johnson-Lynch’s signees was named a first team all-state selection in her respective state.
Texas led the country with the No. 1 recruiting class while Missouri (22) was the only other Big 12 recruiting class ranked ahead of the Cyclones in the top 30 recruiting classes. Baylor and Kansas each received highest honorable mention nods.
PrepVolleyball.com on the future Cyclones:
Iowa State’s 2011 class brings more size and athleticism to a team that loses two All-Americans to graduation. Hurtt is a shut-down blocker who has moved to the pins in her final season of club and will add size and physicality to the outside position for the Cyclones. Knuth, who stands 6-4, will join her sister, Taylor, this fall. She is a well-trained, quick and long-limbed middle. She will provide depth in the already-seasoned middle position. Goetz is an extremely athletic, quick DS/setter, who is a fierce competitor and leader for both her club and high school teams.
"We are excited to have a recruiting class ranked in the top 25 for the fourth-straight year,†head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said. “Recruiting coordinator Trudy Vande Berg has done an outstanding job of finding and recruiting the best players in the country and this ranking is a reflection of her hard work. This is a very talented class for us and will help keep Iowa State volleyball among the best programs on the country."
The 2010 Des Moines RegisterPlayer of the Year, Tory Knuth (6-4, MB, Johnston, Iowa), is an explosive middle blocker with the ability to force opponents to change their game plan. The four-time all-state selection will join sister Taylor and the rest of the Cyclones as the team pushes for a six-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Archbishop O'Hara standout Tori Hurtt (6-2, OH, Kansas City, Mo.), was named a 2010 PrepVolleyball.com High School All-American after helping to lead O’Hara to its fourth-consecutive Missouri state championship. Hurtt’s ability to play both sides of the ball will add much-needed depth to the Cyclones after the graduation of seniors Victoria Henson and Ashley Mass.
The final piece of the 2011 recruiting class, Taylor Goetz (5-6, DS/S, Ankeny, Iowa), helped lead the Ankeny Hawkettes to back-to-back state titles in 2008 and 2009 before returning to the championship match in 2010 where they fell to Iowa City West. An Iowa Power Volleyball Association teammate of Knuth’s, Goetz has an all-out mentality and quick reaction time that have garnered her Defensive Dandy honors from PrepVolleyball.com.
Each of Johnson-Lynch’s signees was named a first team all-state selection in her respective state.
Texas led the country with the No. 1 recruiting class while Missouri (22) was the only other Big 12 recruiting class ranked ahead of the Cyclones in the top 30 recruiting classes. Baylor and Kansas each received highest honorable mention nods.
PrepVolleyball.com on the future Cyclones:
Iowa State’s 2011 class brings more size and athleticism to a team that loses two All-Americans to graduation. Hurtt is a shut-down blocker who has moved to the pins in her final season of club and will add size and physicality to the outside position for the Cyclones. Knuth, who stands 6-4, will join her sister, Taylor, this fall. She is a well-trained, quick and long-limbed middle. She will provide depth in the already-seasoned middle position. Goetz is an extremely athletic, quick DS/setter, who is a fierce competitor and leader for both her club and high school teams.
