PINE BLUFF, Ark.- University of Arkansas-Pine Head Volleyball Coach La'Kyva Walton announced the additions of six decorated student-athletes during the open signing period.
Signing national letters of intent with the Lady Lions volleyball program is Rachel Hornbuckle, Daleah Whitaker, Victoria Asuega, Brianna Reed, Rachel Tims, and Amber Gaubatz-Miller.
All six signees should be able to contribute to the Lady Lions volleyball team immediately next season. In 2009 Arkansas-Pine Bluff struggled going winless in non-conference and conference play (0-28).
Name: Rachel Hornbuckle
Height: 6'0
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: Colleyville, Texas
Previous School: Colleyville Heritage High School
Hornbuckle is a tall athletic middle blocker with solid fundamental skills. She plans to major in Business at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. She is currently a senior at Colleyville Heritage High School and scheduled to graduate June 2010. She was honored as a 2009 All-District Honorable Mention selection and to the All-District Academic Team.
Her Varsity volleyball team at Colleyville Heritage was also crowned District Champions in 2008. Rachel chose UAPB because she loved the family culture on campus and knew this was the place for her to continue her studies. Dr. Renee Hornbuckle is Rachel's mother.
Name: Daleah Alexis Whitaker
Height: 5'9
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Previous School: Lakewood High School
Whitaker is a middle blocker with extensive playing experience. She attended Lakewood Sr. High School and was a member of the schools' varsity squad her junior and senior years. She also played club ball for three years successfully qualifying for the Junior Olympics having placed in the Top 20.
Name: Victoria Filiorosa Asuega
Height: 5'10
Position: Outside Hitter
Hometown: Apple Valley, Calif.
Previous School: Granite Hills High School
Asuega is an outside hitter with explosive leaping ability and a lot of potential. She was the leading outside hitter for Desert Sky League and was named to the All-League 1st Team as well as Best Offensive Player of the Year for Desert Sky League in 2009. She was also named Best Offensive Player for 2008-09, All League 1st Team, Player of the Year and led her team to the Semi-Finals in 2008-09. She is the daughter of Lagima and Palupe Losefa.
Name: Brianna Reed
Height: 5'8
Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist
Hometown: Lander, Wyoming
Previous School: Northwest College
Reed is a talented libero/defensive specialist. She is transferring from Northwest College, a Junior College in Wyoming. As a player she has named All-Region Player of the Year and was named team captain three seasons.
Her high school team won their region and conference during her senior year and placed 3rd at the State Tournament. At the collegiate level her team won their conference her freshman year and ranked 2nd at the Regional Meet. She is the daughter of Marilyn and Steve Reed.
Height: 5'9
Position: Outside Hitter
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Previous School: Green B. Trimble Technical High School
Tims is a outside hitter capable of playing multiple positions. She plans to major in Kinesiology. Tims is set to graduate from Green B. Trimble Technical in the Top 10% of her class. She received Honorable Mention her freshman year on varsity at her high school.
In the summer of 2007-08 she received the Horn Frog Award at the TCU summer volleyball camp. Leading her team in kills she was an All-Team MVP Tournament selection. At the conclusion of her junior year she made 1st Team All-District.
During her senior campaign she was named made Captain of her squad and finished the season with a second 1st Team All-District Title. Tims is the daughter of Donald and Catrena Tims.
Name: Amber Noelle Gaubatz-Miller
Height: 5'6
Position: Setter
Hometown: Davie, Florida
Previous School: Miami Dade College
Miller has great athletic ability and good fundamental skills. She graduated from Western High School and transferred from Miami Dade College. In high school she was a team captain and named Most Valuable Player.
While playing at Miami Dade College her team won 6th place at the National Championships during her freshman year and 5th place at the National Championships during her sophomore campaign. She is the daughter of Nicole and Stephen Miller.