
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. ---
Four student-athletes have committed to attend Tusculum College and
play volleyball for the Pioneers announced TC head coach Michael
Robinson. Joining the Pioneers are Megan Hasse, Taylor Boone,
Brooke Calhoun and Anjelica Bailey.
Hasse, a 5-10 outside hitter from Kingston Springs, Tenn. comes to
Tusculum after earning District Most Valuable Player honors at
Harpeth High School, where she was coached by Marianne Wilson.
Hasse garnered All-District accolades twice (2009, 2010) and was a
two-time District Tournament MVP in 2009 and again in 2010. She was
a two-time winner of the MaxPreps/AVCA High School Player of the
Week and was two-time Region All-Tournament selection.
"I'm really excited to have Megan joining the Pioneer family," said
Robinson. "She is an outstanding player and person who will not
only make an impact on the court but on our campus and in our
community. Megan comes from a great volleyball program and has been
a standout player for her high school throughout her career. The
knowledge, talent, and work ethic have made her so successful thus
far will continue to make her very successful as a Pioneer. Megan
is an outstanding young lady who clearly possesses the qualities we
look for in all of our players."
Hasse also plays her club volleyball for Ethos VBC where she was
mentored by Coach Kayla Pallin and earned a Silver Bracket
Championship with Alliance Volleyball Club in the American Division
of the J.O. Nationals in 2009 and finished 26th in the Open
Division of the 2010 J.O. Nationals. She is also an outstanding
student where she is a member of the National Honor Society and is
the daughter of Jim and Sue Hasse. She also holds a 2nd Degree
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Boone, a 6-0 middle-blocker/right-side hitter from Green Mountain,
N.C., played her prep career at Mountain Heritage High School for
Coach Kevin Huskins. While at Mountain Heritage, she garnered WHC
All-Conference honors twice and was named her team's MVP.
"I've had the opportunity to see Taylor grow as a volleyball player
over the years having the opportunity to work camp with her high
school team since her sophomore year," Robinson added. "It's very
exciting to see the player she has developed into. Taylor has
clearly emerged as one of the most dominant volleyball players in
her high school's history. Her work ethic and passion for the game
will afford her much success in her coming years."
The two-time team captain also lettered in basketball and was a
member of the XVP Volleyball club team, and is the daughter of
Bryan and Kelly Boone.
Calhoun, a 5-6 defensive specialist/libero, was a volleyball
standout at Grace Baptist Academy for prep coach Hillary Hamilton.
The four-year starter was a member of the All-District 5 Team three
times and the District All-Tournament squad twice. The daughter of
Bobby Calhoun and Tonya Abbott was named to the 2010 All-Region 3
Team and was selected to the Chattanooga Times Free-Press Best of
Preps Honorable Mention squad in 2010. Calhoun was a key player in
Grace Baptist's first-ever Sub-State berth in 2007 during her
rookie campaign.
"It's very exciting for me to think about the recruitment of
Brooke," added Robinson. "She first contacted us when she was
playing 15's for Choo Choo City VBC. Watching her play as a 14-
year old, you could definitely see that she was a skilled player,
but also loved the game very much. It has been amazing watching her
through the years, seeing the development of her game. The same
desire that got her to this point will also make her a very
successful DS/L for our program."
The Hixson, Tenn. product, recorded 399 kills, 174 service aces, 22
blocks and 1,042 digs during her prep career. Off the volleyball
court, she received the Golden Eagle Horizon Award at Grace Baptist
for student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, scholarship and
competitiveness. She participated in the student government for
three years, including as Junior Class President. She is also a
member of the National Beta Club and the National Honors
Society.
Calhoun also played for the Choo-Choo City Volleyball Club where
she was named the Fury Performance Training Athlete of the Month in
Dec. 2009. Her club teams have won 11 tournaments over the past
three years and advanced to two national tournaments, including a
Silver Bracket title (JVDA) in 2009.
Bailey, a 5-9 middle blocker from _Milwaukee, Wisc., is completing
her prep career at Greenfield High School, where she was coached by
Britany Pfeifer. She also played her club volleyball with the
Milwaukee Sting, where she was mentored by Coach Scott Spiess. She
is the daughter of Bruce and Cheryl Bailey.
"Anjelica is a very fiery competitor who brings a tremendous will
to win to our program," Robinson said. "Her athletic ability and
quickness between the pins will be a huge asset for us. Anjelica
has played for an outstanding Milwaukee Sting club program which
has engrained in her many tools to be a tremendous collegiate
athlete. Along with those tools, she brings an outstanding attitude
and work ethic which is a perfect compliment to the rest of our
roster."
Overall, the Pioneers finished with a 25-7 record to rank 27th
among 263 Division II programs with a winning percentage of .781.
In addition to its 25-7 overall record, Tusculum finished 16-2 in
SAC play to finish second in the conference. The 16 league wins are
the most in school history as a South Atlantic Conference member
(since 1999) as Tusculum advanced to the SAC Tournament
Championship match for the first time in school history. TC also
earned the program its second straight NCAA Tournament at-large
berth.
- TC -