UNCP Volleyball Adds Five Newcomers To Squad

PEMBROKE - UNC Pembroke women's volleyball coach Jeff Billington has announced the addition of five newcomers - two community college transfers and three freshmen - to continue their athletic and academic careers with the Braves.

Billington, who is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Lady Braves, continues to add depth to his program by three hitters, Sarah Bower, Hannah Hill and Chelsea Phillips, a defensive specialist, Leslie Millard and setter, Ashlyn Rebok to the returning squad for the 2011 season.

"We expect our 2011 class to have a big impact on our success this season. They already have made a huge impact on our daily practices. We are very competitive and solid from our five seniors to our three freshmen," Billington said. "They all bring a good attitude and competitiveness to the gym every day. We all are very optimistic about our upcoming season and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."

The Lady Braves will open up its season on September 2 when the Black and Gold compete against region rival Carson-Newman in the Francis Marion Tournament at 3 p.m. in Florence, S.C.


SARAH BOWER
6-0, Jr., Outside Hitter
Charlotte, N.C. (David W. Butler/Cape Fear Community College)
BEFORE UNCP: Attended Cape Fear Community College … Played for Coach Jeanne Lambert … In her freshman year, she was named to the all-tournament team and all-region team … Tallied a team-best 214 kills, 40 service aces, 229 digs, 32 blocks and four assists … Played in a team-high 96 sets for the Sea Devils … Registered a 0.176 hitting efficiency, 0.417 aces/set, 2.385 digs/set, 0.333 blocks/set and a 2.229 kills/set percentage … During her sophomore season, she was named the 2009 Player of the Year and MVP … Played in 69 sets and collected a team-high 199 kills, 32 aces, 106 digs, 15 total blocks and five assists … Posted a 0.376 hitting efficiency, 0.464 aces/set, 1.536 digs/set, 0.217 blocks/sets and 2.884 kills/set percentage.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at David W. Butler High School under Jennifer McVicker … Lettered in volleyball, basketball, softball and track … All-conference in softball … Back-to-back softball state champions.

PERSONAL: The daughter of Kathy and David Bower … Born in Charlotte, N.C., on June 25, 1989 … Has a younger brother, David … A mass communications major at UNCP.

BILLINGTON ON BOWER: "She played outside hitter at Cape Fear Community College and finished second on their career kills list. Sarah will be asked to play multiple positions in the front row this fall. Once she gets used to the speed of the game and the complexities of our offense, her size will allow her to score a lot of points for us over the next two years. She runs and jumps off of one foot very well and we look to utilize her athletic ability."


HANNAH HILL
5-10, Fr., Outside Hitter
Ventura, Calif. (Saint Bonaventure)
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Saint Bonaventure High School under Coach Jack Richards … Four-year letterman in volleyball and softball … In her senior year, she registered 360 kills, 56 aces, 115 solo blocks and a 2.4 on the passing scale … Named league MVP, first team all-league, all-country and team MVP while being awarded the offensive award, captain's award and the top-gun award … The team was fourth in the Kauaii challenge, third in the league and ranked fifth in Southern California … During her junior campaign, she was named team MVP, offensive MVP, small school all-country and first team all-league … Garnered the captain's award and top-gun award … Played club volleyball for Rincon under coach Jack Richards … The team placed ninth in the Vegas Classic and 11th in the Arizona Festival … In softball, she was a four-time first team all-league and the league's MVP … Tallied the most home runs on the team and the highest batting average.

PERSONAL: The daughter of Elizabeth and Michael Hill … Born in Ventura, Calif., on June 12, 1992 … Has two younger sisters, McKenna and Haven … Cousin, Chase Retting, is a quarterback on the football team at Boston College … Garnered a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school … Garnered academic honors in English, religion, biology and anatomy as well as garnering the ASB award … A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Yearbook, Key Club, Varsity Club as well as being the president of ASB … Played club volleyball in the 18's division since she was 14 … A sports management major at UNCP.

BILLINGTON ON HILL: "She is another very solid and strong six rotation player. Hannah hits a heavy ball and after she learns to develop a little more range with her attack she will be extremely tough to defend. Teams will be game planning to try to stop Hannah once she gets going this fall."


LESLIE MILLARD
5-6, Fr., Defensive Specialist
Wilmington, N.C. (E.A. Laney)
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at E.A. Laney under Coach Ruby Sutton … Four-year letterman in volleyball and softball … In her senior year, she play and started in all 70 games as the team captain and helped the Buccaneers compete in the state championships … Was the only volleyball player in Laney history to play and start every game and play every rotation for four years … Per game, she averaged 2.10 kills, 2.07 digs, and 0.49 service aces as well as a .325 hitting percentage … Awarded the team's MVP and Best Defensive Player along with making Mid-East North Carolina 4A all-conference first-team … In her junior campaign, she played and started all 68 games while averaging 2.23 kills/game, 2.04 digs/game, and 0.56 service aces/game along with a .375 hitting percentage … As a team captain, she garnered the Mid-East North Carolina 4a all-conference honorable mention and the Star News all-area honors … Played club for Brunswick Juniors, and 18 Elite team, under coach Laura Greene … The team competed at the Platinum Level Carolina's Region.

PERSONAL: The daughter of June and Thomas Millard … Born in Wilmington, N.C. on April 19, 1993 … Has one older sister, Lauren … Garnered a 3.0 cumulative grade point average … A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … An exercise science major at UNCP.

BILLINGTON ON MILLARD: "She has very good ball control and is working hard to get used to the speed of the college game. Leslie is very strong and athletic, has a good work ethic and we are very pleased to have her as a part of the UNCP Volleyball program."


CHELSEA PHILLIPS
5-10, Fr., Middle Hitter/Right Side
Peoria, Ariz. (Cactus)
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Cactus High School under Coach Lindsey Walls … Letterman in volleyball (4 yrs.), track (4 yrs.), basketball (2 yrs.) and softball (1 yr.) … Tallied a season-high 21 kills her senior year … Named Block Canyon Region Player of the Year, All-West Valley Team MVP, second team all-state, Cactus Shadows all-tournament team … Team finished the season with an overall record of 28-3 as well as posting a first place finish in the Cactus Shadows tournament … In her junior year, the team went 32-2 during the season and was the Gold Water Tournament champion … Garnered accolades of second team all-region and Cactus Shadows all-tournament team … Played club volleyball for Arrowhead GOSW 189 under coach Kathy Wilson … Went 37-9 on the season and finished fifth in the Vegas Classic 18 Open … Placed on the Colorado Crossroads All-Star Team … State champion in shot put.

PERSONAL: The daughter of Angela and Kevin Phillips … Born in Peoria, Ariz., on June 17, 1993 … Has one older sister, Syb, and one older brother, Michael who plays football at Truman State … Graduated 70th in her 350-member senior class with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average … President of student council for three years and president of the Health Occupational Student of America for two years … A member of the Environmental Club, the Med Start program, and Linu Crew … Enjoys snowboarding, longboarding and surfing which she taught herself … A biology major at UNCP.

BILLINGTON ON PHILLIPS: "She is a very solid and strong six rotation player. Chelsea comes from a strong club program in Arizona, and she will play a key role in our ball control and offensive success this fall. She attacks well from any spot on the floor and plays very good floor defense."


ASHLYN REBOK
5-7, Jr., Setter
Chambersburg, Pa. (Chambersburg Area Senior/Hagerstown Community College)
BEFORE UNCP: Attended Hagerstown Community College … Played for Coach Ty Hart, and Beth and James Domerico … In her freshman year, she was named "Unsung Hero" … Tallied a team-best 720 assists, 49 kills, 75 service aces, 121 digs, and 18 blocks … Played in a team-high 128 sets for the Hawks … Registered a 0.232 hitting efficiency, 0.586 aces/set, 0.945 digs/set, 5.625 assist/set, 0.141 blocks/set and a 0.383 kills/set percentage … During her sophomore season, she was named the 2010 Team MVP … Played in 107 sets and collected a team-high 278 kills, 73 aces, 219 digs, 241 assists, 19 total blocks and five assists … Posted a 0.242 hitting efficiency, 0.682 aces/set, 2.047 digs/set, 2.252 assists/set, 0.178 blocks/sets and 2.598 kills/set percentage … The team made a trip to nationals for two consecutive years.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Chambersburg Area Senior High under Coach Ty Frelin … Four-year letterman in volleyball and lettered one year in gymnastics … In her senior year, she co-captained the Trojans and was named a Mid-Penn Scholar Athlete … In her junior campaign, the team won the Mid-Penn Conference Championship Title and made a trip to the district tournament.

PERSONAL: The daughter of Suzanne Dinkler and Douglas Rebok … Born in Chambersburg, Pa., on April 15, 1991 … Has a younger sister, Aryn … Ranked 49th in her 650-member senior class and garnered a 3.975 cumulative grade point average … Graduated with academic honors … A member of the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society … A health and physical education major at UNCP.

BILLINGTON ON REBOK: "She is going to be like another coach on the floor. Ashlyn brings good setting experience from Hagerstown Community College. She understands the game very well and has the natural ability to connect with our attackers, plays very good defense, and has tough serve. Ashlyn has a good work ethic and is very competitive. She will be a great addition in helping to run our offense."