HOWARD ANNOUNCES FOUR ADDITIONS TO VOLLEYBALL ROSTER
Written by Ariel V. Germain, Assistant Sports Information Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. - (www.howard-bison.com) - December 7 – Howard University head women's volleyball coach Shaun Kupferberg is proud to announce the addition of four student-athletes to the 2013-14 Lady Bison roster.
"I am very proud that these ladies are joining our current team to lead us into the future of Bison volleyball. When people think of Howard, they think of excellence and this is a great step in bringing that distinction back to the volleyball program," said Kupferberg of the four 2013-14 newcomers.
From New Orleans, La., hails 5'7" outside hitter Katherine Broussard, the 2012 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year.
"Katherine is a well-rounded volleyball player with a quiet confidence on the court," said Kupferberg. "She can play six rotations and allows for a sense of stability in the game that her teammates can rely on. She has a very good knowledge of the game and a player that every team needs if they want to be successful."
On the court, Broussard is four-time All-State, four-time State Tournament Most Valuable Player, four-time State Champion, two-time prepvolleyball.com All-American and the 2011 Gatorade POTY nominee.
Academically, Broussard has been extremely successful in Spanish. The 2013 graduate, was chosen to attend a literary rally in Spanish (2009), received the "Silver Award" for the National Spanish Exam for Spanish II (2009), and received an honorable mention for the National Spanish Exam for Spanish IV (2012). Received the University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award (2012) and a recipient of the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award (2012).
The second addition to the 2013 class is Dominique Cleggett. Cleggett, also known as "Dom," is a 6'0" outside hitter also from New Orleans, La.
"Dom is a terminator that we will need if we want to be an elite team. She is still growing into her skill set, but even as a young player will create matchup problems for other teams. She can elevate with any player in the country and we look forward to watching her grow as both a front and back row player over the next four years," said Kupferberg.
Athletically, Cleggett is a three-time All-District honoree, an All-Area honoree, 2011 State Champion and All-State in track and field.
Out of Farmington Hills, Mich., is middle/outside hitter Whitney Fields.
"Whitney has excelled at both middle and outside during her high school career which gives us some options next year," said Kupferberg. "She is a big dominant player in the front row and I feel that she will be a great blocker for our team. The way she moves across the net will give us a nice anchor in our front row defense."
On the court, Fields has been All-League, All-City and All-Region.
The last addition 2013-14 class is Janaya Hampton, who is a 5'8" outside/middle hitter from Harvey, La.
"Janaya has played both in the middle and outside and can compete at both positions. Her explosiveness can surprise many people, but I look forward to seeing her on our side of the net. She will create match-up problems because she is incredibly fast across the net and her athleticism will allow us to expand our offensive possibilities," said Kupferberg.
Athletically, Hampton has been named All-District and All-Area.
Along with her strengths on the court, Hampton brings a strong academic component to the team. Currently, the Louisiana native holds a 4.00 grade point average, attained cum laude ranking on the National Latin Exam (2010-11), Beta Honor Roll member (2008-present), Patrick F. Taylor Scholar Award (2009-12), Louisiana Student Achievement Award – Art Council (2011-12), member of Mu Alpha Theta (2011-present), selected to the National Honor Society (2011-present) and advanced placement student (2008-present).
"Katherine, Dominique, Janaya, and Whitney are all great on the court and in the classroom, but more importantly they come from great families that have given them all the tools to allow them to be great representatives of Howard University and our volleyball program," said Kupferberg.
For more information on Howard University women's volleyball, visit the official athletics website at www.howard-bison.com.
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