Volleyball Signs Six to Roster

April 25, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University volleyball coach Bo Pagliasotti has announced the signing of two junior college transfers and four high school seniors to national letters-of-intent.

Scheduled to join the Bulldogs next fall will be Tara Gibby of Paris Jr. College, Jennifer Naramore of the University of Arkansas-Ft. Smith, Emily Walter of Azle (Texas) High School, Kayla Bader of Blue Valley West (Kansas) High School, Kansas, Breawn Waynes of Mesquite (Texas) High School, and Krishna Henderson of Pampa (Texas) High School.

"We had a lot of gaps to fill with the graduation of six players,” Pagliasotti said. "But we feel as though we have recruited the type of student-athlete that can continue to propel this young program toward excellence both on the floor and in the classroom."

Pagliasotti, set to begin his fourth year, has improved the Bulldogs each year since starting the program in 2005. Last season, SWOSU finished with a 14-19 record and narrowly missed qualifying for a berth in the Lone Star Conference tournament by finishing in a tie for eighth.

Gibby, a 5-9 outside hitter, played for former SWOSU assistant Justin Maness at PJC where she led her team in kills (340) and was the team’s captain.

Naramore, a 6-1 middle hitter, finished the 2007 season ranked third nationally in blocks and was named to her region’s all tournament team.

“Both Tara and Jenny have had the benefit of playing against some of the toughest junior college volleyball programs in the region,” Pagliasotti said. “Both are well coached and will be able to compliment our returning players with their skill set they have in place.”
Bader, a 5-6 libero/defensive specialist, will be pushed into immediate action with the graduation of both of SWOSU’s back row specialists from a year ago.

“Kayla possesses the positive attitude that it will take to come in and be a great difference maker,” Pagliasotti said.

Waynes, a 5-9 outside hitter, is expected to add a measure of explosiveness to the team with her ability to hit over blocks. She was an all-district selection in Texas’ rugged Class 5A District 12 at Mesquite.

Henderson, a 5-8 outside hitter, is another athletic player with great leaping ability. She comes from the talent-rich Texas Panhandle and has played on one of the top club teams in the area.

Walter, a 6-1 right side/setter, will add height and an attacking element from the front line. She is a high school teammate of current SWOSU player Stephanie Parker at Azle.

“Each of these players are the type of young women we want in our program,” Pagliasotti said. “We will need for them to play right away and play at a high level. I think they’re more than capable of doing just that.”