Volleyball Adds Six for 2008 - Nickie Halbert - Mercer

The Mercer volleyball squad has added six players to its 2008 roster, as announced by head coach Noelle Hughes Thursday afternoon.

Anna Coursey, a 6-foot-2 left-handed rightside hitter from Savannah, Ga., played at St. Vincent’s Academy under the direction of Coach Margie Bach. A four-year letterwinner in volleyball, Coursey also earned three letters in basketball. She played club volleyball for Club Savannah for John Bach and helped lead the squad to the Palmetto Region Championship (Silver Bracket). Coursey also exceled off the court as a member of the National Honor Society and has been awarded the Jesse Mercer Scholarship as she plans to major in biology. “Anna is a very bright and gifted student-athlete who is eager and willing to get herself acclimated at the college level both in the weight room and the gym,” said Hughes. “I am looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish once we get a hold of her.”

Amiee Frutchey, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Gresham, Ore., comes to Mercer from Gresham High School where she played for coaches Lori Anderson and Jim Hartner. A first-team all-state selection in 2007, Frutchey was also named the Mount Hood Conference MVP during her senior season along with garnering first-team all-conference honors. In 2006, she helped lead her team to the state championship title along side current Mercer volleyball player, Erica Vrvilo. She also helped lead her club volleyball team, the Nike Northwest Juniors, to back-to-back Reno Festival Championships under the direction of Hartner and Rod Jones. “Amiee brings a wealth of experience and competitive edge to the game, along with the pure passion to succeed, that will surely push her into a starting role,” said Hughes.

Nickie Halbert, a 5-foot-9 setter from Venice, Fla., played for four seasons at Venice High School for coach Brian Wheatley. A three-time all-state selection, Halbert helped lead the Indians to the Class 5A State Championship during her sophomore season. She was also named Athlete of the Week in each of the last three seasons by the Venice Gondolier Sun and was named to the Tampa Prep all-tournament team. She played club volleyball for Tampa United and was coached by Jeff Lamm. “Nickie is a true student of the game,” said Hughes. “She takes her role as the quarterback very seriously and has a natural eye for seeing the court and knack for running the offense. Her setting abilities will set the highest standard for our game.”

Chelsea Rugg, a 6-foot middle blocker from Oviedo High School in Oviedo, Fla., was a three-year letterwinner under coach Chad Long. A team captain in 2007, Rugg garnered Seminole Athlete Conference Honorable Mention accolades along with being named to the Winter Springs Bear Bash all-tournament team and the Trinity Prep Invitational all-tournament team. She played for the Inland Volleyball Club under the direction of Allan Rubenstein and helped lead her team to top-10 finishes in three qualifiers. “Chelsea has a very unique and natural approach to the game,” said Hughes. “Her poise and consistency can be a threat at any time and to anyone. She is an extremely mature middle who will be vying for a starting spot on the court.”

Ashley Skidmore, a 5-foot-8 defensive specialist/libero out of Gainesville, Fla., played for Jeff Reavis at Buchholz High School. A team co-captain her senior season, Skidmore helped lead her team to the 2007 Class 6A State Championship and was named an all-state honorable mention the same season. She was also a two-time all-area selection and received the team Defensive Player of the Year award in 2006 and 2007. Skidmore played for and captained the Gainesville Juniors club team, helping the squad to two top-five finishes. She is also a strong academic student who is a member of the National Honor Society and is a recipient of the Mercer Presidential Scholarship. “Ashley brings an extra pep in her step and the enthusiasm and energy that any coach looks for in a defensive specialist,” said Hughes. “She is a fast learner who has the thirst to win every time she dives on the court.”

Rachel Urbelis, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Geneva, Ill., was a four-year starter at Geneva High School for coach K.C. Johnsen. A four-time all-conference selection, Urbelis was also named to the all-area team twice and the team MVP for two seasons. She served as the team captain for two seasons and helped lead the squad to the Regional Championship on two occasions. Urbelis played club volleyball for 1st Alliance under the direction of Billy Hardison and helped lead her team to first place at the 2008 JDVA in Indianapolis. “Rachel is a natural at her position with a very fluid armswing and consistent approach to every thing she does in the game,” said Hughes. “Her training will help mold her into the player she will become at the college level.”

"I am extremely excited about our class of incoming freshmen as each one brings their own unique taste and spin on the game with a vast array of qualities that sets them apart from the next,” said Hughes. “As a coach, I am always questioning how much time it will take for my freshmen to adapt, but these six have already bought into our program and what we are trying to accomplish here, which just ends up making my job much easier. I am so pleased with the young ladies as individuals as well as student-athletes that I can't wait to work with them come August.”

Volleyball Adds Six for 2008 by Sara Allbritton