Feb. 25, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina volleyball program announced the additions of Claire Blumenthal, Madison Borowski, Callista Brown, Emma Lock and Jessica Turner to its 2015 signing class on Wednesday.
The signees push the Gamecocks’ signing class total to six members as they join Courtney Furlong, who was announced during the early signing period in November.
“Our 2015 class is an exciting one for sure,” South Carolina head coach Scott Swanson said. “We have two players who can play every front row position, a quality athletic setter, two libero/defensive specialist candidates and the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year who can play at either pin. I am excited for not only the athletic ability of this class but especially for the type of character and academic focus they will bring. Jesse Turner has been accepted into our No. 1 nationally ranked Honors College, and the other four incoming athletes are also great students. We look forward to this class coming into our program and learning from our current players what it takes to be great teammates and competitors at the SEC level.”
Claire Blumenthal – 5-5 – Libero/Defensive Specialist – Tampa Preparatory School – Tampa, Fla. – Tampa Bay Volleyball Academy/Tampa Bay One
Parents: Marc and Karen Blumenthal
Accomplishments:
Received the Outstanding Defense Award all four years
Served as team captain sophomore, junior and senior years
Helped lead the Terrapins to FHSAA Class 3A regional runner-up finishes in 2011, 2012 and 2013
Played in the 2011 Pan-American Maccabi Games in Brazil and helped guide team to a second-place finish playing as the youngest girl on the women’s open team
Heads List honoree all four years, an accolade given to those who achieve the highest of academic standards
Swanson on Blumenthal: “Claire is an extremely hard-working defensive specialist/libero that will add a contagious attitude to our gym.”
Madison Borowski – 5-9 – Setter – Westlake High School – Austin, Texas – Austin Junior Volleyball Club
Parents: Brian and Mary Borowski
Accomplishments:
2014 PrepVolleyball.com High Honorable Mention All-American
2014 AVCA Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American
2014 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State
2014 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Team (5-6A)
Led Westlake to 2014 District 14-6A title and was named District MVP
2014 first-team All-Central Texas selection
2014 Texas Sports Writers Association Honorable Mention 6A All-State selection
Helped Westlake to a first-place finish at the 2014 Frauleinfest Volleyfest and was named to the All-Tournament Team
2014 Westlake team captain
2014 Westlake MVP
Led Westlake in assists in 2014, recording the second most assists for a single season in Westlake history
Recorded the most digs for a setter in a single season in Westlake history in 2014
Ranks first all-time in career digs for a setter at Westlake
Ranks third all-time in career assists at Westlake
Helped lead Westlake to a second-place finish at the Lone Star Circle of Champions
Guided Westlake to 2012 and 2013 District 15-5A titles
Led Westlake to a runner-up finish at the 2013 Mizuno Texas Showdown and was named to the All-Tournament Team
Two-time Academic All-District selection (2012, 2013)
2012 second-team All-District 15-5A selection
Led Westlake in assists in 2012 on the way to being named 2012 Westlake Newcomer of the Year
Helped lead 17 Mizuno club team to a third-place showing at the 2014 USA Junior National Championships in the National Division
16 Mizuno club team finished third at the USA Junior National Championships in the USA Division
Led 16 Mizuno team to a first-place finish at the NEQ Qualifier in the USA Division
15 Mizuno team qualified for the USA Junior National Championships in the American Division
Member of the 2011 USA Lone Star High Performance Team
Swanson on Borowski: “Madison is a quick, athletic setter with a lot of potential. We are looking forward to molding her into an SEC setter that will help raise the level of our gym.”
Callista Brown – 6-1 – Middle Blocker/Right Side – Rockingham County High School – Summerfield, N.C. – Triangle Volleyball Club
Parents: Anthony and Kimberly Brown
Accomplishments:
Named Team MVP, All-Conference and All-Area
Helped lead Rockingham County to a berth in the 2014 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class 3A state tournament, the program’s first appearance in seven years
Led club team to a first-place finish at the Monument City Classic, two top-five finishes in the Mid Atlantic Power League, ninth-place showings at the Mideast and Northeast Qualifiers and a ninth-place finish at the AAU National Championships
Selected for USA Volleyball Girls Youth A2 invitational program in Colorado Springs, Co. in 2013
Member of the 2014 USA Volleyball Women’s Junior A1 National Training Team and helped lead team to a fifth-place finish at the High Performance Championships in Tulsa, Okla.
Member of the Carolina Region High Performance Team in 2012 and 2013, placing ninth and third, respectively, at the High Performance Championships
Member of the National Honors Society, four-time Academic Achievement honoree and Scholar Athlete
Swanson on Brown: “Callie is another well-rounded player with size that can contribute in multiple positions. We look forward to having her big block and fast arm in our gym.”
Emma Lock – 5-9 – Libero – Lee’s Summit High School – Lee’s Summit, Mo. – Invasion 18 (Black) Club Team
Parents: Greg and Kim Lock
Accomplishments:
Second-team Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association Class 4 All-State selection
First-team Kansas City/Northwest Class 4 All-Region selection
First-team All-District 13 selection
First-team Suburban Gold Division All-Conference selection
Earned Academic All-State honors
Named to the Principle’s Honor Roll
Swanson on Lock: “Emma is a spark plug type of player that has a great all-around game. She will bring the ball control and competitive confidence that should help our program reach a new level this coming season.”
Jessica Turner – 6-2 – Middle Blocker/Right Side – Westlake High School – Austin, Texas – Austin Juniors 18 Mizuno Club Team
Parents: Rob and Lesli Turner
Accomplishments:
Served as team captain during senior year
Earned honorable mention All-District 14-5A
Named to Smithson Valley All-Tournament Team
Earned a spot on the Fraulein Fest All-Tournament Team
Also lettered three years in track and field and three in basketball
Team captain of the basketball team junior and senior year
Second-team All-District basketball selection
Led Austin Juniors 17 to a third place showing in the National Division at USA Nationals
Helped lead Austin Juniors 16 to a third place finish in the USA Division at USA Nationals
Swanson on Turner: “Jesse is a well-rounded player that has the size to help us at the net as a pin hitter or middle blocker. Jesse comes from a very athletic and competitive family, and we know she will bring those valuable attributes to our program.”
