GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Four student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to attend Tusculum College and play volleyball for the Pioneers announced TC head coach Michael Robinson.

This year's early signing class includes Kassie Voelker, Ashley Sarmiento, Rhayne Smitherman and Tori Welker.

Voelker, a 6-0 middle blocker/outsider hitter from Morristown, Tenn., was the 2009 IMAC Player of the Year at Morristown West High School. She was also named District Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2009 with the Trojans and was the recipient of the Senior Academic Award.

"Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure to watch Kassie grow as a volleyball player," said Coach Robinson. "She is an amazing young lady that will add athleticism to the middle for us next year. Her versatility will also give her the opportunity to help us anywhere on the front row."

Voelker, who also played for K2 Volleyball Club, already has family ties to Tusculum as her brother Shane played the last three seasons on the Pioneer men's soccer team.

Sarmiento, a 5-11 setter from Centerville, Ohio, was a two-time All-GWOC selection at Centerville High School. The four-time Scholar-Athlete is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Core Team, Spirit Club co-President, DARE Panel representative, Youth Ministry Core Team, Spanish National Honors Society, National Honors Society officer and Spirit Queen Candidate. Her Club team experience includes the Team Z Volleyball Club.

It has been a tremendous experience getting to know Ashley throughout the recruiting process," added Robinson. "She is an incredible player who brings a wealth of high-level setting experience to our team and I'm certain she will make a huge impact on our program."

Smitherman, a 5-11 outside hitter from Columbus, Ohio, garnered First Team All-OCC and All-District First Team distinction at Westerville Central High School. She was also a 2009 Scholar-Athlete.

"Rhayne is an amazing athlete that will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on our program. It has been a pleasure getting to know her and her family, and her level of commitment to the sport of volleyball amazes me each time I speak with her."

Welker, a 5-8 defensive specialist/outside hitter from Crown Point, Ind., played her prep career at Crown Point High School. She became the first player in school history to record over 1,100 service attempts in a career (1,152), including over 1,000 good serves (1,081). The four-year letter-winner was named to the PrepVolleyball.com Frosh 59 Honorable Mention and Soph 79 Special Mention teams.

"Tori's passion for Tusculum is only surpassed by her passion for volleyball. I knew there was something special about her ever since we had the opportunity to work with her at our camp this past summer. I'm certain she will come in and contribute to our ball control and vie for a defensive position immediately."

Welker is a multiple school record holder who led the team in service aces the last three seasons, while maintaining a 93 percent accuracy rate. She was named to the USA Volleyball National High Performance Development Program in 2007 and 2009, and the USA Junior Olympics Team twice, earning the Bronze Medal in 2005, while also posting a fifth place performance in 2006. She led her AAU squad to the nationals in 2007 and 2008, earning the Bronze Division title. She also earned a Bronze Medal championship at the JVDA Championship in 2008. Welker played her club ball with Club Dunes Volleyball Club.

Coach Robinson, who has been part of four straight winning seasons for the Pioneers, including the last two as head coach (40-25), is very pleased with this year's crop of signees.

"The signees in this recruiting class are not only amazing volleyball players, but also exemplify what it means to be a true student-athlete. Their commitment to excellence on and off the court matches our program's philosophies and ideals. With the addition of this class, I am very optimistic about the future of Tusculum volleyball."

Tusculum will be making its first-ever NCAA Division II Tournament appearance this Friday when the Pioneers take Southeast Region top-seed and 24th-ranked Wingate University. The match is slated to tip-off at 7 p.m. at Cuddy Arena in Wingate, N.C.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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