Nov. 27, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Teresa Stenlund of Irvine, Calif., and Olivia Ryder of Riverview, Mich., have signed National Letters of Intent to play volleyball for South Carolina, head coach Ben Somera announced on Tuesday. The duo will join a squad that loses no seniors and finished 14-15 overall in 2007.

“Our staff is very excited about the addition of Teresa and Olivia to our program,” said Somera. “Both athletes have playing styles that will blend well with our offensive and defensive system, and we are looking forward to adding their size, skill and athleticism to our gym.”

Stenlund led Beckman High School to a second-place finish in the Pacific Coast League behind Corona del Mar. The outside hitter and middle blocker connected at a .329 clip this season and averaged 1.54 blocks per game. Stenlund was named to the 2006 All-Pacific Coast League team. Her Patriots advanced to the second round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section before falling to eventual sectional champ Laguna Beach.

“At 6-2, Teresa will add size and athleticism to our roster. She moves smoothly and can attack a variety of set in all zones of the net. She has a good natural blocking presence and plays with great rhythm. In a lot of ways, Teresa reminds me of Megan Laughlin, who received SEC All-Freshman honors this year.”

Ryder played in seven matches for Gabriel Richard Catholic High School before a knee injury ended her season. Named one of the five volleyball players to know by the Detroit Free Press, Ryder averaged 6.7 kills per game and hit .367 during her abbreviated season. The six-foot-tall outside hitter also averaged four digs a game. With her at full strength, the Pioneers went 4-1-1, and the team finished the year at 14-14-3. She earned Class D All-Region status in 2006 from the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association and was a member of the Principal’s List.

“Olivia is a very good ball handler and an explosive attacker. She has experience playing both middle blocker and outside hitter and impressed our staff in both positions. Although she is coming off a knee injury, I have no doubt in mind that she will regain the form displayed last year and will be competing to her full potential when she arrives in the fall.”