April 24, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Head coach Todd Dagenais announced the signing of Sara Rex, Renele Forde, Veniessa McDonald and Janine Williams to National Letters of Intent to play for the UCF volleyball team Thursday. The class features three athletes from the state of Florida, including a transfer from the University of Florida, and one that hails from Trinidad and Tobago.
Since assuming the role as the Knights' ninth head coach in January, Dagenais had the task of finding top-class talent in a mere four months, but found that he secured the qualities and abilities that he was looking for in his first recruiting class.
"I couldn't be more pleased with the quality of student-athlete we are able to secure so late in the recruiting process," Dagenais said. "It's every new coach's fear that they take over at such a late juncture in the process that there will be so few athletes who can help you achieve the level of success that you are striving for everyday. Needless to say, we hit each and every recruiting mark that we set for ourselves when we came to UCF."
Sara Rex
OH/MB - 6'0 - Fr. - Oldsmar, Florida - Pinellas Heat Volleyball Club
"Sara holds the distinction of accepting the 1st scholarship in the new era of UCF volleyball," Dagenais stated. "We have been very impressed watching Sara knowing that her versatility will have a tremendous impact on our program in several ways. First, she has the ability to play middle or outside hitter for our team next fall. Secondly, she is a very proficient passer and defensive player. Lastly, she has some high level playing and training experience while competing as a member of Team Florida during the summer."
Renele Forde
RS - 6'2 - Fr. - Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad National Team
"Renele will add the physical presence at the net that UCF needs to compete for Conference USA Championships," Dagenais said. "Her height and elite level athleticism will help her develop into one of the best freshman in the Conference. She also brings a wealth of experience from her training time with the Trinidad and Tobago National Team and her competing in FIVB National Team events. She will immediately compete for playing time at the right side position and will receive daily training with our setters knowing that she may be a setter for the National Team in her homeland. She is looking forward to improving her game and taking it to the next level while at UCF.
Veniessa McDonald
Middle - 6'1 - Fr. - Hollywood, Fla. - Boomers Volleyball Club
"Veniessa embodies everything that we would like to become at UCF," Dagenais stated. "She is a terrific student-athlete with a major athletic upside. I fully anticipate that she will bring a very high level of work ethic as she gets acclimated to the speed of the collegiate game. From there, I think the sky is the limit on her potential. She is ultra quick and very explosive and will surely compete for playing time as a freshman.
Janine Williams
LS - 6'0 - So. - Gainesville, Fla. - University of Florida Top-50 Recruit (Class of 2006)
"We look forward to Janine playing a significant role in the success of our team next year, and we expect that she will develop into one of the best players in Conference USA," Dagenais said. "She already has experience in the USA national Team developmental pipeline, and has seen significant playing time in a nationally recognized, top ranked Division 1 volleyball program. We look forward to giving her the opportunity to expand her playing role, and look forward to her taking advantage of the many leadership opportunities that will be presented to her on and off the court."
"When this recruiting class is completely squared away, not only will we have improved our chances at scoring, we will have also improved our speed and quickness at the net, and improved our ability to control the volleyball. This recruiting class gives us the size, the speed, and the depth to eventually go head to head with the best in Conference USA."
The UCF volleyball team will open its 2008 campaign at the Georgia Southern Tournament August 29-30. For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics
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