Volleyball Inks Two Prep Standouts

AMES, Iowa ? The Iowa State volleyball team and head coach Christy Johnson have announced that two prep standouts have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Cyclones, beginning in the fall of 2007.

Ashley Mass, a 5-11 defensive specialist/libero from Muskego, Wis., was a four-year letterwinner at Muskego High School, earning all-Southeast Conference honors the last two seasons. She was team captain this year, averaging 4.30 digs per game, and was named first team all-state. Mass finished her career with an impressive performance at the Wisconsin state tournament last week, helping Muskego to a second-place finish and earning all-tournament team honors.

Mass played club ball for the Milwaukee Sting, and received the Best Libero award in the 17 open division at the 2006 Mizuno National Junior Classic. She earned All-America honors in 2004 while playing for the Sting.

"Ashley is one of the best defensive players in the country," said Johnson. "I have watched her since she was a freshman, and I have always felt she had a special talent for passing and defense. She has a great touch on the ball and an exceptional feel for passing and reading hitters."

The Cyclones lose three primary passers due to graduation, and Mass will help in filling the void.

"With the loss of three primary passers this season, getting another great passer in our program was one of our top priorities. Ashley, along with our outstanding defensive returners, Laura Cady and Amy Vos, will help fill that role."

Rachel Williams, a 6-1 outside hitter/middle blocker from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, led Cedar Rapids Prairie High School to its first state tournament appearance in school history this season. Cedar Rapids Prairie will face Ames on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

The three-year letterwinner has racked up a state-best 4.02 kills per game and 2.35 digs this season and was recently named to the Iowa Girl's Senior All-Star Classic team. As a junior she averaged 2.9 kills and 1.1 blocks per game en route to earning third team all-state honors in addition to being a Mississippi Valley Conference first-team selection. She also earned second team all-conference honors her sophomore year and was named first-team all-metro during her sophomore and junior seasons as well.

Williams has played club for Kaboom and the Iowa Inferno.

"The first thing I noticed about Rachel is that she is an incredibly intense and competitive player, and she is certainly one of the best athletes in Iowa this year," Johnson said. "She is a lot of fun to watch because she plays so hard and enjoys the game so much."

"She has all of the makings of a great Big 12 hitter - she is capable of playing both the middle and left side, she has a great arm, and she can pass and play all the way around. She is a very physical player and has tremendous potential."

Williams also participates in basketball and track and field, earning all-conference and all-metro honors in the sports, respectively.

2006-07 Iowa State Volleyball Signees
Ashley Mass, 5-11, Defensive Specialist, Muskego, Wis. (Muskego HS)
Rachel Williams, 6-1, Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Prairie HS)

Players Mentioned

Laura Cady

Laura Cady

Laura Cady

Amy Vos

Amy Vos

Amy Vos

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics