Feb. 2, 2000

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford women's volleyball has announced that five student-athletes have committed to attend Stanford in 2000-2001. The incoming group, all of which plan to join the Cardinal as freshmen for the 2000 season, includes a highly-touted setter, three middle blockers and a defensive specialist. Four of the five student-athletes have been members of the USA Junior/Youth National Training Teams. The highly-touted setter is Anna Robinson, a 6-2 lefthander from Tampa, Florida (Berkeley Preparatory School). Incoming middle blockers include Sara Dukes (6-1, Danville, CA/Carondelet HS), Jennifer Harvey (6-5, Denver, CO/Kent Denver School) and Sara McGee (6-3, Davis, CA/Davis HS). Jamie Brownell (5-8, Newport Beach, CA/Corona del Mar HS) will enter Stanford as a defensive specialist.

"This is a talented and athletic signing class," said Shaw, the NCAA's leader in all-time winning percentage with a career record of 440-70 (.863). "I really respect the programs that these players have come from. They've had good coaching all the way around."

Robinson's credentials are quite lofty as she was starting setter on the 1998 USA Youth National Team. She also qualified for the 1999 USA Youth National Training Team but did not play due to injury. She earned All-American status at both the high school and club levels the same year, in addition to being selected as Gatorade's Circle of Champions High School Volleyball Athlete of the Year for the Southern Region and the state of Florida. In addition, she earned Florida's 3A Volleyball Player of the Year honors the same season. Robinson played high school volleyball at Berkeley Preparatory School and was a member of three state championship teams during her tenure. Her club team is the Tampa Bay Juniors.

"Anna should fit into our blocking system with the height she has at her position giving her a big advantage," added Shaw. "She blocks very well and will deepen our setting core."

Dukes is also a two-year member of the USA Youth National Team and is coming off a senior prep season at Carondelet High School in which she earned North Coast Section Player of the Year honors. Dukes was also named the Bay Valley Athletic League's Most Valuable Player in 1998 and is a three-time all-BVAL selection. Dukes plays club volleyball for City Beach, which finished as runners-up at the 1999 Junior National Championships. Dukes was named to the USVBA All-American Team after the event.

"Sara is a solid and versatile volleyball player who may see action in several different positions," said Shaw. "We're glad she is joining our program."

Harvey was an alternate on the 1999 USA Junior National Team, the same squad that current Cardinal volleyball players Logan Tom and Ashley Ivy played with in 1999. She was also named All-Colorado by the Denver Post in 1999 in addition to earning the newspaper's 3A Player of the Year honors in her senior year at Kent Denver School. She has earned a total of two all-state honors and three all-conference selections. Harvey is a member of the Front Range Volleyball Club team.

"With her size, she should make a significant contribution to our net play," said Shaw. "Jennifer has tremendous desire and an outstanding work ethic." McGee was a starter on the USA Youth National Team in 1999. She also had a big senior season at Davis High School, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the Delta League and leading her squad to a conference title. She was named an All-American by Blocks-n-Kills magazine. In 1998, McGee was named MVP of the Delta League in both volleyball and basketball. McGee plays club volleyball for the Delta Valley 18 Blue.

"Sara is a raw talent that should develop into an outstanding player," said Shaw. "She is improving quickly and has lots of ability."

Brownell was an all-section and first team all-Pacific Coast League choice at Corona del Mar High School as a senior. She plays club volleyball for the Orange County Volleyball Club.

"With Jamie coming from the Orange County Volleyball Club, it tells me one thing for sure," said Shaw. "She will work very hard, and I also think that she will add to our depth in the back row."

The Cardinal is scheduled to open the 2000 season at the New Mexico Tournament beginning Friday, September 1. Last season, Stanford reached the NCAA championship match before falling to top-ranked Penn State. The Cardinal reached the NCAA championship match five times in the 1990's, winning the first four.

STANFORD WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL 2000 SIGNINGS
Name (Pos, Ht, Yr, Exp, Hometown/Last School)
Jamie Brownell (DS, 5-8, Fr., HS, Newport Beach, CA/Corona del Mar HS)
Sara Dukes (MB, 6-1, Fr., HS, Danville, CA, Carondelet HS)
Jennifer Harvey (MB, 6-5, Fr., HS, Denver, CO/Kent Denver School)
Sara McGee (MB, 6-1, Fr., HS, Davis, CA/Davis HS)
Anna Robinson (S, 6-2, Fr., HS, Tampa, FL/Berkeley Preparatory School)