Nov. 17, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina sand volleyball program has signed Katie Cross (Flagstaff, Ariz.), Aubrey Ezell (Granbury, Texas) and Shannon Williams (Ashburn, Va.) to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Moritz Moritz announced Monday.
The trio will look to make an immediate impact for the Gamecocks in the 2016 season.
“This year’s signing class will continue to build on the foundation that we are working to develop,” Moritz said. “We learned a lot in year one, and while we had a lot of positives, we realize as team that we have to continue to stay diligent with the task at hand, which is to keep learning and getting better. We are focused on the legacy that we are creating together, and this crop of new student-athletes will blend in perfectly. All of our incoming players epitomize the kind of student-athlete that we want, the kind that will run through a wall to be successful on the court, in the weight room, in the classroom and in the community.”
Class of 2015 South Carolina Sand Volleyball Signees
Katie Cross – 5-11 – Coconino High School – Flagstaff, Ariz. – High Altitude Thunder (Club)
Parents: George and Kim Cross
Accomplishments:
Two-year letter winner in indoor volleyball and earned one letter in sand volleyball at Coconino High School
Played outside hitter and right side for the Coconino indoor team
Served as team captain
Named a Rising Star as a sophomore
Member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll student
Moritz on Cross: “Katie adds height and athleticism to our team and while she is newer to the beach game, she has a ton of potential and is willing to do whatever she needs to help build this is program.”
Aubrey Ezell – 5-8 – Granbury High School – Granbury, Texas – Texas Image 18s, Texas Image Sand (Club)
Parents: Chad and Kelly Ezell
Accomplishments:
Lettered four years for Granbury High School
Named a 2014-15 Honorable Mention Under Armour High School All-American
Helped lead Granbury to Bi-Regional Championships in 2011 and 2012 and a UIL state semifinal appearance in 2013
Named District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2011
First-team All-District selection in 2012
Garnered All-State, Texas Sportswriters All-State and District MVP honors in 2013
Named to the Dallas-Fort Worth Dream Team in 2013
Earned Phenom recognition all four years
Three-time team MVP
Holds the school records in aces and assists
Four-time team captain
Played club for Texas Image and Texas Image Sand
Member of the A/B Honor Roll and four-time Academic All-District selection
Moritz on Ezell: “Aubrey will contribute a great work ethic and a super humble but deceptively competitive attitude. There is no quit in her, and that will help elevate the level of our competitiveness.”
Shannon Williams – 5-10 – Stone Bridge High School – Ashburn, Va. – Dulles Volleyball (Club)
Parents: Gary and Lynn Williams
Accomplishments:
Lettered all four years at Stone Bridge High School
2012 second-team All-District selection
2012 PrepVolleyball.com High Honorable Mention
2013 first-team All-Conference, first-team All-Region, Washington Post first-team All MET and first-team All-State selection
2014 AVCA Under Armour Watch List
Played club for Dulles Volleyball
VHSL Athletic Honor Roll all four years
Moritz on Williams: “Shannon is an athletic and dynamic volleyball player. She is eager to learn and get better and she has a lot of tools that are going to allow her to be a very successful competitor.”
