Volleyball Inks Three For 2017 Campaign

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Kaiya Heyliger-Powell, Shelby Martin and Brianna Wood have signed national letters of intent to attend East Carolina University and play volleyball for the Pirates beginning in the fall of 2017, according to an announcement Monday by head coach Julie Torbett.

Kaiya Heyliger-Powell | 6-1 | Outside Hitter | Silver Spring, Md. | Sherwood High School
Has played on the varsity squad at Sherwood High School under head coach Jacob Atchen since her freshman year ... Led her team to a spot in this year's state semifinals which will be played at the University of Maryland Nov. 16 ... Put down 24 kills in an upset victory over Maryland state No. 1 Northwest that snapped the Jaguars' 31-match winning streak ... Collected 35 kills in the third-round playoff win over Howard ... Named MaxPreps/AVCA Maryland Player of the Week Oct. 17 ... Has racked up 312 kills so far in her senior season, tallying 20 or more in five matches ... Has paced the Warriors to a 19-3 overall record and a 7-0 mark in the Montgomery County 4A region ... Competed for the Metro VBC Travel club.

Coach Torbett on Heyliger-Powell: "Kaiya is a very powerful athlete that has the potential to be a dominant player in our league. She has a lot of room for growth and I know that we will tap into that potential and provide a great environment for her in which to grow."

Shelby Martin | 5-11 | Setter | Waxahachie, Texas | Waxahachie High School
Spent three seasons on the varsity squad at Waxahachie, playing for head coach Sandy Faussett ... Recently concluded her prep career by leading the Indians to a 42-9 overall record and a flawless 14-0 mark in district play ... Waxahachie was 112-30 with Martin on the roster while winning a number of district championships ... Tallied 695 kills, 847 assists, 126 aces and 91 blocks in her three-year prep career ... Garnered a plethora of accolades during an honor-filled junior campaign, including 5A All-State, First Team All-District, 14-5A Offensive Player of the Year, Waxahachie Offensive Player of the Year, Byron Nelson All-Tournament and Arlington Tournament Outstanding Setter ... Was tabbed 15-4A Honorable Mention as a sophomore ... Tallied double-digit kills in seven matches as a senior as well as double-digit digs in seven appearances ... Competed for the Dallas Skyline Juniors, helping the club to 16U Division national championship and earning a spot on the 16U Division All-Tournament Team.

Coach Torbett on Martin: "It is very challenging trying to find a setter. Shelby has a great personality and fast-setting hands that will allow her to be an option from the moment she gets here to run the offense."

Brianna Wood | 5-10 | Right Side | Fayetteville, N.C. | Freedom Christian Academy
Played her freshman, sophomore and senior seasons at Freedom Christian Academy and her junior campaign at Jack Britt High School ... Named a 2016 Prep Volleyball Honorable Mention All-American ... Tallied 852 kills, 146 blocks, 485 digs and 152 aces in three varsity seasons while also finishing with a .422 hitting percentage ... Paced the Patriots to a 29-1 overall record and the third round of the state playoffs in her recently completed senior season while collecting 340 kills, 222 digs and 49 aces as well as producing a .552 hitting percentage ... Enjoyed a banner junior campaign during which she led Jack Britt to a 22-4 record and a third-round 4A state playoff appearance where the Buccaneers lost to eventual champion Cardinal Gibbons ... Notched 339 kills and 276 digs on her way to Cape Fear Region Player of the Year laurels.

Coach Torbett on Wood: "I have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to coach Bri after having her at camp for several years and an early verbal commitment. She has continued to improve and become a smarter player on the court. Bri has a powerful swing and is very disciplined."

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