Armstrong Volleyball Announces Three Additions For 2012

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Armstrong Atlantic State University head volleyball coach Will Condon today announced the addition of three players for the upcoming 2012 season. Two incoming freshman and one sophomore transfer will join the Peach Belt Conference champion Pirates next season.

Freshman 6'3" middle hitter Rachel Thompson (Camden County HS / St. Mary's, Ga.), freshman 5'7" libero Abby Jo Winsor (Wellington HS / Wellington, Fla.) and sophomore 6' middle hitter Taylor Permenter (Pennsylvania / Jacksonville, Fla.) will join the 13 returnees from the 2011 squad that finished 36-3 overall, ranked No. 25 in the AVCA Top 25 poll and captured the PBC regular season title as well as a ninth NCAA Championships appearance.

Thompson was the 2011 5A All-Area MVP at Camden County HS last season, as well as a first-team All-Area honoree as a junior and a senior. She led the state of Georgia in blocks in 2010 with 130.5. "Of course the first thing we noticed about Rachel was her size," coach Condon said. "We also quickly found out that she loves the game of volleyball and wants to be the best player she can. We have no doubt that once she adjusts to the speed of the game and learns the offense she will be an imposing force in the Peach Belt."

Winsor, meanwhile, is a two-time first-team All-Area and two-time first-team All-Conference honoree at Wellington HS as a junior and a senior libero. "We have had the benefit of having Abby at camp for the last two years so we feel like she is already a part of the team," Condon said. "She is an exceptional all-around volleyball player, and with her defense and ball control, she has the ability to take over a match. She has competed with and against the best in the country and excelled."

Permenter has attended the University of Pennsylvania the last two seasons and saw action in two sets as a freshman in 2010, but did not see action in 2011. She was a member of the state champion Nease squad as a junior in high school. "We are excited to have Taylor transfer in for the spring semester," Condon said. "Taylor is a vocal and hard working player from a championship team in high school. She attacks well off one foot and is very active along the net. We are losing a lot of experience and depth from our corps of middles this year, so having her here and working with the team will be a huge advantage going into the fall."