Volleyball signees shine in Texas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jasmine Norton and Kendall Cleveland proved their all-star status Wednesday leading the West team to victory at the Texas Girls Coaches Association 4A/5A Volleyball All-Star match. Norton earned West Most Valuable Player honors for her efforts leading the West to a 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 victory at the Burger Center Wednesday. Cleveland recorded 10 kills, three block assists, four service aces and three digs. Future Razorback teammate Norton had six kills, two block assists, three digs and two service aces for the West. Norton hails from Rowlett, Texas, where she was an outside hitter for the Eagles and the Texas Advantage. In high school, Norton earned Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman and helped the Rowlett Eagles to three district titles in four seasons. Norton earned Offensive Player of the Year and MVP honors during her career. Cleveland is 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 during her senior season, 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. As a senior, Cleveland paced her team to the eight-club American Division at the 2009 Girls Junior Olympics. Norton and Cleveland were part of Arkansas head coach Robert Pulliza’s top 45-ranked recruiting class for this season. The Razorbacks return five player and welcome seven newcomers for the 2009 season. The duo joins the Razorbacks for the first of the fall workouts Aug. 9, in Barnhill Arena. For more information and a schedule log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.