Volleyball Lions announce the addition of five players for 2006

Missouri Southern State University head volleyball coach Chris Willis has announced the additions of five new players for the Lion program for the 2006 season.

Willis said incoming freshmen Holly Davidson (Republic, Mo.), Kari Hammerbacher (Buffalo, Mo.), Erin Mitchem (Ozark, Mo./Spokane) and Ashlee Russell (Ponce De Leon, Mo./Spokane) have signed national letters-of-intent to join Missouri Southern in the 2006-07 academic year. Additionally, Willis said Joplin native and former Missouri State volleyball player Tessa (Baugh) Woods (Joplin, Mo./Missouri State University) would be part of the MSSU squad next fall.

“In looking at our program, we addressed the need to get bigger at the net and add depth at certain positions,” Willis said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the individuals we have joining us next fall. All five student-athletes bring tremendous athleticism and skill to our program.

“Playing in what I believe is the toughest conference in the country, we hope to make a significant step up the ladder of competiton with this added talent.”

In Woods, Missouri Southern gets a player that Willis is familiar with from his days as an assistant coach at Missouri State (formerly Southwest Missouri State). The sister of MSSU sophomore-to-be Cherie Baugh, the 6-foot-3 Woods totaled 69 kills and 34 blocks with a .372 hitting percentage in 68 career games with the Bears.

She’s a former all-state performer in both volleyball and basketball from Joplin High School. Before graduating, Woods set the JHS kills record before her sister, Cherie, broke the mark. Woods will be a senior with the Lions in 2006.

“We addressed our need for a terminator with Tessa,” Willis said. “She can finish a rally at the net with a swing or shut down an opponent with her tremendous blocking ability. In having coached Tessa for two seasons at Missouri State, I am excited to see her finish her career in her hometown playing next to her sister Cherie.”

Davidson, is a 6-foot-2 middle hitter from Republic, Mo., where she was a four-year starter for the Tigers of coach Kelly Richardson. Davidson is a three-time all-conference and all-district performer and this year helped her squad to a third-place finish in Missouri Class 3.

“Middle hitters are a hot commodity in this conference and Holly brings some great talent to that position for us,” Willis said. “As well as being physical at the net, she also has the ability to play back row, which is unique for most players at her position.

Hammerbacher is a 5-foot-2 defensive specialist from Buffalo, Mo. In 2005, she was an all-conference and all-district performer as a three-year starter under coach Stacy Beckley. Hammerbacher, who played in the USAV Nationals in each of the last two years, also helped her team to a second and third-place finish in each of the last two years in the Heart of America Regionals.

“Kari is one of the most determined individuals I’ve met,” Willis said. “She has committed herself to the libero posiotion and pursues every ball with reckless abandon. The team will benefit from her work ethic and meticulous ball control.”

Mitchem, a 5-foot-10 setter, was a four-year starter at Spokane High School, where she was a four-year all-district honoree and a three-year all-conference selection. She helped the Owls to three district titles during her career, and, in 2005, led the squad to a third-place finish in Missouri Class 2. Mitchem led SHS in assists in each of her last three seasons. The brother of former Missouri Southern men’s basketball player Tyler Mitchem, she was district MVP as a junior and was on the all-county team three times.

“Erin is one of the most competitive players in the gym,” Willis said. “She does everything within her ability to ensure her team victory. Her personality is perfect for a setter and will raise the level of our team’s intensity whenever she is on the court.”

Mitchem’s Spokane teammate, Russell, is also heading to Missouri Southern. Russell, a 5-foot-8 hitter, was a three-year varsity starter in volleyball and this season was named conference MVP. A state qualifier in track & field, she earned volleyball all-district honors three times in her career and was also the all-county volleyball MVP as a junior.

“Ashlee exudes athleticism,” said Willis. “She plays above the net like a six-footer. Her movements on the court are effortless. She is one of the most dynamic players we looked at this year, giving her the ability to play several different positions.

Both Mitchem and Russell have competed in basketball, track and cheerleading all four years while at Spokane. As seniors, they helped the Owls to a school record 32 victories (32-3-5) in volleyball.

Missouri Southern finished the 2005 season, coach Willis’ second with the team, with an 11-22 record, but fielded a roster that included no seniors and just two juniors.


	Nov. 15, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Volleyball Lions announce the addition of five players for 2006 Willis inks four freshmen and a transfer for next season Missouri Southern State University head volleyball coach Chris Willis has announced the additions of five new players for the Lion program for the 2006 season. Willis said incoming freshmen Holly Davidson (Republic, Mo.), Kari Hammerbacher (Buffalo, Mo.), Erin Mitchem (Ozark, Mo./Spokane) and Ashlee Russell (Ponce De Leon, Mo./Spokane) have signed national letters-of-intent to join Missouri Southern in the 2006-07 academic year. Additionally, Willis said Joplin native and former Missouri State volleyball player Tessa (Baugh) Woods (Joplin, Mo./Missouri State University) would be part of the MSSU squad next fall. “In looking at our program, we addressed the need to get bigger at the net and add depth at certain positions,” Willis said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the individuals we have joining us next fall. All five student-athletes bring tremendous athleticism and skill to our program. “Playing in what I believe is the toughest conference in the country, we hope to make a significant step up the ladder of competiton with this added talent.” In Woods, Missouri Southern gets a player that Willis is familiar with from his days as an assistant coach at Missouri State (formerly Southwest Missouri State). The sister of MSSU sophomore-to-be Cherie Baugh, the 6-foot-3 Woods totaled 69 kills and 34 blocks with a .372 hitting percentage in 68 career games with the Bears. She’s a former all-state performer in both volleyball and basketball from Joplin High School. Before graduating, Woods set the JHS kills record before her sister, Cherie, broke the mark. Woods will be a senior with the Lions in 2006. “We addressed our need for a terminator with Tessa,” Willis said. “She can finish a rally at the net with a swing or shut down an opponent with her tremendous blocking ability. In having coached Tessa for two seasons at Missouri State, I am excited to see her finish her career in her hometown playing next to her sister Cherie.” Davidson, is a 6-foot-2 middle hitter from Republic, Mo., where she was a four-year starter for the Tigers of coach Kelly Richardson. Davidson is a three-time all-conference and all-district performer and this year helped her squad to a third-place finish in Missouri Class 3. “Middle hitters are a hot commodity in this conference and Holly brings some great talent to that position for us,” Willis said. “As well as being physical at the net, she also has the ability to play back row, which is unique for most players at her position. Hammerbacher is a 5-foot-2 defensive specialist from Buffalo, Mo. In 2005, she was an all-conference and all-district performer as a three-year starter under coach Stacy Beckley. Hammerbacher, who played in the USAV Nationals in each of the last two years, also helped her team to a second and third-place finish in each of the last two years in the Heart of America Regionals. “Kari is one of the most determined individuals I’ve met,” Willis said. “She has committed herself to the libero posiotion and pursues every ball with reckless abandon. The team will benefit from her work ethic and meticulous ball control.” Mitchem, a 5-foot-10 setter, was a four-year starter at Spokane High School, where she was a four-year all-district honoree and a three-year all-conference selection. She helped the Owls to three district titles during her career, and, in 2005, led the squad to a third-place finish in Missouri Class 2. Mitchem led SHS in assists in each of her last three seasons. The brother of former Missouri Southern men’s basketball player Tyler Mitchem, she was district MVP as a junior and was on the all-county team three times. “Erin is one of the most competitive players in the gym,” Willis said. “She does everything within her ability to ensure her team victory. Her personality is perfect for a setter and will raise the level of our team’s intensity whenever she is on the court.” Mitchem’s Spokane teammate, Russell, is also heading to Missouri Southern. Russell, a 5-foot-8 hitter, was a three-year varsity starter in volleyball and this season was named conference MVP. A state qualifier in track & field, she earned volleyball all-district honors three times in her career and was also the all-county volleyball MVP as a junior. “Ashlee exudes athleticism,” said Willis. “She plays above the net like a six-footer. Her movements on the court are effortless. She is one of the most dynamic players we looked at this year, giving her the ability to play several different positions. Both Mitchem and Russell have competed in basketball, track and cheerleading all four years while at Spokane. As seniors, they helped the Owls to a school record 32 victories (32-3-5) in volleyball. Missouri Southern finished the 2005 season, coach Willis’ second with the team, with an 11-22 record, but fielded a roster that included no seniors and just two juniors.