GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Three student-athletes have committed to attend Tusculum College and play volleyball for the Pioneer announced TC head coach Michael Robinson.

The first group of commitments includes: Rachel Garnett, Moriah Jones and Andrea Amettis.

Garnett, an All-State right-side hitter from Cincinnati, Ohio, comes to Tusculum after a stellar prep career at Ursuline Academy. Her junior squad advanced to the regional final, while this year's squad captured the State title. She was the recipient of the Hardest Worker Award, Most Improved Award and the Senior Scholar Academic Award. She also earned a national bid with Elevation Volleyball Club her 16's and 17's year finishing 11th her 16's season and 13th her 17's season.

"I expect Rachel to make an immediate contribution this coming season," said Robinson. "She is an absolute threat offensively, having the ability to terminate the ball from pin to pin. She is also a tremendous blocker and her character is a perfect fit for our program."

Jones, a product of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., was an all-star libero defensive specialist at North Myrtle Beach High School. She garnered All-Region honors four times and was named to the All-State team this year. She was a three-time Coaches Award selection and led North Myrtle Beach to a AAA State Championship. She was also tabbed to the Toast of the Coast team this season.

"I love Moriah's aggressiveness and competitive nature. Her ability to read her opponents is phenomenal and only one of the reasons she is going to help take our defense to the next level," Robinson said. "Moriah has a very bright future at Tusculum and I look forward to see her flourish on and off the volleyball court."

Amettis, a native of Louisville, Ky., is a libero/defensive specialist who played her career at Eastern High School. She earned All-District honors twice (2011, 2012) and was named her team's most valuable player in her senior campaign She was also a four-time recipient of the Leadership Award and led the Eagles to three district championships (2009, 2010, 2012).

"Andrea has great ball control and a ton of versatility. Her court IQ is outstanding and we are excited to get her in the gym with our girls," added Robinson. "She immediately fits in with our family atmosphere and I look forward to seeing her grow as a Pioneer."

Tusculum is coming of a 24-8 season as the Pioneers earned the program's fourth consecutive berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament, while advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history."

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. Tusculum, the oldest college in the State of Tennessee, sponsors 15 intercollegiate sports, including men's lacrosse, which will be competing in its first season during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Tusculum, the 28th oldest college in the nation, is a liberal arts institution committed to providing a liberal arts education in a Judeo-Christian and civic arts environment, with pathways for career preparation, personal development and civic engagement. Approximately twenty-one hundred students are enrolled on the main campus in Greeneville and three off-site locations in East Tennessee. The academic programs for both traditional-aged students and working adults served through the Graduate and Professional Studies program are delivered using focused calendars whereby students enroll in one course at a time.

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