Volleyball Adds Ferguson and Willis To 2018 Roster

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Gabrielle Ferguson and Alden Willis will join the ECU volleyball program beginning with the 2018 campaign, according to an announcement by head coach Julie Torbett Tuesday.

Ferguson is a 6-0 middle blocker from Stafford, Va., who prepped at North Stafford High School. Willis is a 5-4 defensive specialist who hails from Raleigh and played at Broughton High School.

Ferguson racked up 160 kills, 61 blocks and a .379 hitting percentage as a senior on the way to second-team all-conference honors. She helped lead the Wolverines to a 19-1 overall record, a league title and appearance in the Virginia High School League 5A state semifinals. Ferguson earned second-team all-conference accolades as a junior, hitting .299 with 98 kills and 48 blocks. She also competes for the Virginia Juniors club program. Ferguson's sister, Sydney, has committed to play volleyball for national powerhouse Penn State.

"We are excited to add Gabby to our program," Torbett stated. "She is raw and will need to get stronger, but she has all the tools to become a great player. She works hard, she wants to be here and she is coachable. I am anxious to watch her develop."

Willis tallied 566 digs and 75 aces in three seasons on the varsity squad at Broughton, helping the Capitals to a pair of conference championships, a 60-8 overall record and 37-3 league mark. She also competes for the Triangle Volleyball Club 18 Blue team that took third place at the USAV Junior Nationals Northeast Qualifier and earned the right to travel to Anaheim, Calif., for the national tournament.

"Alden is a solid player," Torbett said. "She has been trained very well in both high school and club. I anticipate she will make an impact in the back row and be a fun player to have as a part of our program."

ECU produced a 22-11 overall record in 2017, marking the first 20-win season for the program since 2005 as well as the second-most victories in a single season. The Pirates also turned in a 13-7 mark in American Athletic Conference play – finishing fourth in the league standings after being selected 11th of 12 teams in the conference's preseason coaches poll. ECU returns a solid core of four starters in 2018, including AAC Freshman of the Year and setter Shelby Martin.

Players Mentioned

Shelby Martin

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