GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Cassie Born of Horse Shoe, North Carolina was one of the first members of the Tusculum College Volleyball team's 2015 signing class when she signed with the Pioneers back in the most recent early signing period.

Born is a 5-11 outside hitter and a product of Hendersonville High School. She led the Bearcats to back-to-back state titles as a junior and senior while earning MVP honors in both tournaments. Born was named to the Western North Carolina All-District first team and the Western Highlands All-Conference squad. She was also a finalist for the Northwestern Mutual 2A/1A Female Athlete of the Year and earned the Kiwanis All-Star Award off the court.

Born averaged 2.9 kills per set as an upperclassman at Hendersonville. She had a total of 505 kills in 177 sets while hitting .255. At the line, Born had 51 service aces in her final year for the Bearcats with a serve percentage of 85.4. On the defensive side, she had 67 total blocks and averaged 1.6 digs per set with the help of 219 total digs as a senior.

"We have watched Cassie play for several years now, and are excited about her future at Tusculum", said Pioneer head coach Michael Robinson. "She has a quality volleyball background and has had solid coaching along the way. With a high volleyball IQ and a great overall skill set she will make an immediate impact on this team."

Tusculum will be looking to build off its ninth-straight winning season and its fourth place finish in the South Atlantic Conference in 2014. The Pioneers return two All-SAC performers from last season and a pair of seniors.