PrepVolleyball.com Top 25

Earlier today, PrepVolleyball.com released its ranking of the 2009 Recruiting Class.  Our incoming 2009 class made the Top 25 - 

25. Arizona State: Ashley Kastl, 6-0 OH, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix AZ), Arizona Juniors; Erica Wilson, 6-1 MB, Fallbrook (CA), Coast 

Comment: The first recruiting class for the new coaching staff at Arizona State University reflects a new direction for the Sun Devils: relying on speed and athleticism to complete in the Pac-10. To that end, the most important new player in Tempe could be Cat Highmark, the scary fast setter who transferred to the Sun Devils after one year at Long Beach State.   Kastl, whose brother walked on to the Sun Devil football team, has grown into her position as a primary outside. Her range has improved, as has her comfort within a speed-oriented offense. She should fight for playing time created by the graduation of OH Margie Giordano. Wilson, the highest-rated freshman recruit in this group, joins the Sun Devils as a much-needed middle who can hit fast behind the setter. She’s sure to play a big part in the Sun Devils future. 

** The NCAA prohibits coaches from speak about athletes who have made a verbal commitment to their school, but are receiving no athletic based financial add (walk-on).

Much of the credit for this class belongs to our recruiting coordinator, Brent Aldridge.  Brent started his college coaching career at a small NAIA school in Kansas.  Soon after that, he moved to Northern Arizona University, then to the University of New Mexico.  I was fortunate to hire him away from UNM to serve as my assistant at BYU.  Upon accepting the position at ASU, it was clear I needed Brent's skills here in Tempe.  In the short time we've been Sun Devils, he's done a remarkable job upgrading our recruiting efforts.

The strength of any program lies in the loyalty of the coaching staff.  I've been fortunate to surround myself with an outstanding staff.