Two sign with MSSU volleyball

Head coach Chris Willis announced that two more prep volleyball standouts have signed with the Missouri Southern State University program.

Katie Gage (Lamar, Mo.) and Sarah Joles (Blue Springs, Mo.) have signed with the Lions for the 2005 season.

Gage, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, is a two-time all-conference and all-district performer. A three-year starter for the Lamar Tigers of coach Ann Landrum, Gage earned first-team all-conference and all-district accolades in 2004. She holds school records for digs, including the career mark of 738. She also set school game and match records for kills.

Gage also participates in basketball and track & field at Lamar. In track, she holds the school shot put record.

The daughter of Mike and Jacque Gage, she intends to major in biology at MSSU.

“Katie Gage brings an outstanding work ethic to our team,” Willis said. “What impressed us most was her ability to improve even during her senior year. She has great athletic ability and has only begun to scratch the surface of her volleyball skills.”

The 5-foot-8 Joles was a two-year letterwinner in volleyball at Blue Springs South High School. She has also been an all-conference performer in track & field as a sprinter/hurdler.

In club volleyball, Joles excelled as a setter with Mid-America Volleyball (MAVS), helping her team to an appearance at nationals in 2004 and a fifth-place showing at Crossroads in 2002. She was a teammate, in club volleyball, of another MSSU signee, Ashley Hill.

“Sarah Joles has a tremendous on-court personality,” Willis said. “As a setter, she brings a high level of enthusiasm and leadership to the program. We are excited to add depth to our setting department for the upcoming season.”

Joles, daughter of Terry and Janet Joles, is undecided on a major.

Gage and Joles join Cherie Baugh (Joplin, Mo.), Ashley Hill (Blue Springs, Mo.) and Megan Norman (Stockton, Mo./NE Oklahoma A&M) as the newest additions to the MSSU volleyball program. Baugh, Hill and Norman joined the Lions during the early signing period.

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.


	April 28, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Two sign with MSSU volleyball Willis adds Gage, Joles to roster for 2005 Head coach Chris Willis announced that two more prep volleyball standouts have signed with the Missouri Southern State University program. Katie Gage (Lamar, Mo.) and Sarah Joles (Blue Springs, Mo.) have signed with the Lions for the 2005 season. Gage, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, is a two-time all-conference and all-district performer. A three-year starter for the Lamar Tigers of coach Ann Landrum, Gage earned first-team all-conference and all-district accolades in 2004. She holds school records for digs, including the career mark of 738. She also set school game and match records for kills. Gage also participates in basketball and track & field at Lamar. In track, she holds the school shot put record. The daughter of Mike and Jacque Gage, she intends to major in biology at MSSU. “Katie Gage brings an outstanding work ethic to our team,” Willis said. “What impressed us most was her ability to improve even during her senior year. She has great athletic ability and has only begun to scratch the surface of her volleyball skills.” The 5-foot-8 Joles was a two-year letterwinner in volleyball at Blue Springs South High School. She has also been an all-conference performer in track & field as a sprinter/hurdler. In club volleyball, Joles excelled as a setter with Mid-America Volleyball (MAVS), helping her team to an appearance at nationals in 2004 and a fifth-place showing at Crossroads in 2002. She was a teammate, in club volleyball, of another MSSU signee, Ashley Hill. “Sarah Joles has a tremendous on-court personality,” Willis said. “As a setter, she brings a high level of enthusiasm and leadership to the program. We are excited to add depth to our setting department for the upcoming season.” Joles, daughter of Terry and Janet Joles, is undecided on a major. Gage and Joles join Cherie Baugh (Joplin, Mo.), Ashley Hill (Blue Springs, Mo.) and Megan Norman (Stockton, Mo./NE Oklahoma A&M) as the newest additions to the MSSU volleyball program. Baugh, Hill and Norman joined the Lions during the early signing period. 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.