Signees announced for volleyball

Missouri Southern State University head volleyball coach Chris Willis announced that two former prep standouts and one junior college transfer have signed to join the Lions volleyball program in 2005-06.

Cherie Baugh (Joplin, Mo.), Ashley Hill (Blue Springs, Mo.) and Megan Norman (Stockton, Mo./NE Oklahoma A&M) signed with Southern during the November early signing period, Willis said.

Baugh, 5-foot-11, figures in as an outside hitter for the Lions. She had more than 600 kills in her three-year career as a starter for the Joplin High School Lady Eagles of coach Sandy Shelley. As a senior, Baugh racked up team highs of 331 kills, 61 blocks and 180 digs. She also led the Lady Eagles in service receiving percentage (78.7), ranked second in service efficiency (96.3) and ranked fourth in points. She was also picked for the Joplin Globe All-Area Team.

“Having previously known her and then to find out what a fine athlete she is, we knew after we sat down and watched her play that we wanted her to come to Missouri Southern,” Willis said. “We knew she was good enough to come and play and help us compete in the MIAA.”

During her three-year career as a starter, Baugh also led the Lady Eagles in blocks each year and served over 95 percent as JHS amassed a 65-26-7 record. She is the daughter of Wess and Terra Baugh.

Hill, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter and Willis’ first recruit as MSSU’s head coach, was a three-year starter for the Blue Springs High School Wildcats of coach Charlie Bock. She earned first-team all-conference and all-district in each of her last two seasons and helped Blue Springs to district and conference crowns as a sophomore and again as a senior.

“Ashley could be an impact player in the MIAA in her first year,” Willis said. “Your first recruit is always a special one, and she just had the right attitude that I was looking for.”

Hill, the daughter of Leonard and Susan Hill, has also been named to the Missouri All-Stars Team, the Blue Springs Examiner All-Area squad and has received the BSHS team awards for MVP, best hitter, best digger and best passer over each of the last two years.

She hopes to major in elementary education at MSSU.

Norman is a 5-foot-6 outside hitter who will transfer to Southern from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. At NEO, Norman tallied 453 kills (4.08 pg) and 523 digs (4.71 pg).

Norman, the former Megan Cramer, was a four-year starter in volleyball at Stockton High School. She earned all-conference and all-district honors and set the school records for digs in a season and career while a member of the Lady Tigers of coach Barry Wheeler.

“Megan was a serendipitous find for us,” said Willis. “We had a tryout in November for high school kids and she contacted us. She was the surprise of that practice. All of our kids said, ‘That’s somebody we want on our team.’ She will give us depth defensively and in serve receive.”

Norman was also a starting guard on Stockton’s 2003 Missouri Class 2 state championship basketball team and was a state qualifier and four-year letterwinner as a sprinter in track & field. The daughter of David and Belinda Cramer, she hopes to study business at Southern.

Missouri Southern finished the 2004 season, its first under coach Willis, with a 14-18 record, including 6-10 in the MIAA for sixth place, and made its second straight appearance in the conference’s postseason tournament.

The Lions lose two seniors to graduation from the 2004 squad.


	Dec. 14, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Signees announced for volleyball Willis announces three to join Lions in 2005 Missouri Southern State University head volleyball coach Chris Willis announced that two former prep standouts and one junior college transfer have signed to join the Lions volleyball program in 2005-06. Cherie Baugh (Joplin, Mo.), Ashley Hill (Blue Springs, Mo.) and Megan Norman (Stockton, Mo./NE Oklahoma A&M) signed with Southern during the November early signing period, Willis said. Baugh, 5-foot-11, figures in as an outside hitter for the Lions. She had more than 600 kills in her three-year career as a starter for the Joplin High School Lady Eagles of coach Sandy Shelley. As a senior, Baugh racked up team highs of 331 kills, 61 blocks and 180 digs. She also led the Lady Eagles in service receiving percentage (78.7), ranked second in service efficiency (96.3) and ranked fourth in points. She was also picked for the Joplin Globe All-Area Team. “Having previously known her and then to find out what a fine athlete she is, we knew after we sat down and watched her play that we wanted her to come to Missouri Southern,” Willis said. “We knew she was good enough to come and play and help us compete in the MIAA.” During her three-year career as a starter, Baugh also led the Lady Eagles in blocks each year and served over 95 percent as JHS amassed a 65-26-7 record. She is the daughter of Wess and Terra Baugh. Hill, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter and Willis’ first recruit as MSSU’s head coach, was a three-year starter for the Blue Springs High School Wildcats of coach Charlie Bock. She earned first-team all-conference and all-district in each of her last two seasons and helped Blue Springs to district and conference crowns as a sophomore and again as a senior. “Ashley could be an impact player in the MIAA in her first year,” Willis said. “Your first recruit is always a special one, and she just had the right attitude that I was looking for.” Hill, the daughter of Leonard and Susan Hill, has also been named to the Missouri All-Stars Team, the Blue Springs Examiner All-Area squad and has received the BSHS team awards for MVP, best hitter, best digger and best passer over each of the last two years. She hopes to major in elementary education at MSSU. Norman is a 5-foot-6 outside hitter who will transfer to Southern from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. At NEO, Norman tallied 453 kills (4.08 pg) and 523 digs (4.71 pg). Norman, the former Megan Cramer, was a four-year starter in volleyball at Stockton High School. She earned all-conference and all-district honors and set the school records for digs in a season and career while a member of the Lady Tigers of coach Barry Wheeler. “Megan was a serendipitous find for us,” said Willis. “We had a tryout in November for high school kids and she contacted us. She was the surprise of that practice. All of our kids said, ‘That’s somebody we want on our team.’ She will give us depth defensively and in serve receive.” Norman was also a starting guard on Stockton’s 2003 Missouri Class 2 state championship basketball team and was a state qualifier and four-year letterwinner as a sprinter in track & field. The daughter of David and Belinda Cramer, she hopes to study business at Southern. Missouri Southern finished the 2004 season, its first under coach Willis, with a 14-18 record, including 6-10 in the MIAA for sixth place, and made its second straight appearance in the conference’s postseason tournament. The Lions lose two seniors to graduation from the 2004 squad.