Recruiting class recognized by PrepVolleyball

FAYETTEVILLE – In a release of the top recruiting classes for 2010, the University of Arkansas volleyball team was an honorable mention selection by PrepVolleyball.com. The Razorbacks’ 2010 volleyball class includes Alexandra Fitzmorris, Hayley Koop, Clarrisa Pavey, Raymariely Santos and Charmaine Whitmore. Santos, a native of Puerto Rico, was not considered by PrepVolleyball because of her international status.

"This is a class we’re really excited about," head coach Robert Pulliza said. "Raymariely Santos wasn’t considered for the ranking because she is an international player and Alex Fitzmorris and Clarissa Pavey didn’t play the club season during their senior years which also can affect these lists. So for us to still receive an honorable mention ranking without the benefit of our entire class, shows how talented this group is."

Fitzmorris, a 6-3 middle blocker/right side from Overland Park, Kan., joined Arkansas in January and participated in spring workouts. Koop was a standout outside hitter for Klein High School in Spring, Texas, and Pavey was an all-state libero for Trinity Christian Academy, also in Texas. Whitmore, a 6-1 middle blocker, hails from Fort Smith, Ark., and was an all-conference performer at Northside High School.

Santos is the captain for the Puerto Rico Junior National Team and helped the national team to a second-place finish at the NORCECA Championships in 2009. This is the second recruiting class for Pulliza and his staff. Pulliza’s first class included All-American Jasmine Norton and All-SEC performer Amanda Anderson.

Adriana Vazquez, a transfer from Hampton University, also joined the Razorbacks’ roster in January and will be a junior for the team in 2010. An all-around player for Hampton, Vazquez will focus her skills toward defense for Arkansas.