Pulliza inks three in first signing class

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas head volleyball coach Robert Pulliza announced his first signing class as a head coach this week. Pulliza and the Razorbacks welcome Amanda Anderson, Jasmine Norton and Kendall Cleveland for the 2009 season. “I can’t even express how excited we are for our first recruiting class here at Arkansas,” said Pulliza. “These three athletes came on campus and saw the vision we have for Arkansas volleyball and they saw what the University of Arkansas has to offer and they want to be a part of that. We can’t wait to have them in Fayetteville. “I think we’ve addressed some of our needs during the early signing period and we’re looking forward to making this 2009 class one of the best in country as we continue to work towards our next signing date,” Pulliza continued. Anderson is a 6-2 middle hitter from Euless, Texas, where she played for Colleyville Heritage High and the Texas Advantage Club teams. She was a three-time all-district selection in high school and set school records for kills in a season (778), kills-per-set (5.68) and single-season kills in the district (289). Amanda Marion Anderson is the youngest of three children to Woody Anderson and Jill Lentini. She has two older siblings, sister Emily Anderson, and the late Christopher Anderson. “We could not have started our recruiting here at Arkansas with a better first commitment than Amanda,” said Pulliza. “She’s a great person, a great competitor and a great teammate. She’s a middle that we foresee developing into a six-rotation player.” Norton checks in from Rowlett, Texas, where she was an outside hitter for the Eagles and the Texas Advantage Club teams. In high school, Norton earned Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman and helped the Eagles to three district titles in four seasons. Norton earned Offensive Player of the Year and MVP honors during her career with her final season awards still to come. Norton also aided her club team to a 23rd place at USA Nationals as a sophomore and a third-place showing at the USA Open Nationals as a junior. Jasmine Latrice Norton is one of three children to Gregory and Cynthia Norton of Rowlett, Texas. Older brother, Jared is a middle linebacker at the University of Texas, and she has a younger brother, Justin. “Jasmine is a great athlete,” said Pulliza. “The fans in Fayetteville are going to enjoy her high-flying abilities as she plays in Barnhill Arena. She’s a very dynamic outside hitter with a very positive attitude.” Cleveland hails from Houston, Texas, where she played for Cypress Falls High School and the Texas Tornados Club teams. Named the Houston Chronicle’s Girls Athlete of the Week, Cleveland is a two-time academic all-district and earned back-to-back district MVP honors as a junior and senior. She paced her club team to a second-place finish at the Big South Qualifier and a third-place finish at the Team Cup as a junior with her senior season still to come. Kendall Kay Cleveland is the oldest of three children to Tim and Brenda Cleveland of Houston, Texas. She has two younger sisters, Casey and Caitlyn. “Kendall is one of the hardest-working players I’ve every recruited,” said Pulliza. “Her work ethic is contagious and we can’t wait to have her in the gym. She’s an outside hitter with a heavy arm and we’re looking forward to her point production during her stay in Fayetteville.” The Razorbacks have three matches remaining in the 2008 season. Arkansas hosts LSU Friday, Georgia Sunday and Ole Miss, Nov. 29, as the season concludes.