May 25, 2007

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The class of six newcomers joining the Purdue volleyball roster this fall was named as the seventh best recruiting class in the nation by prepvolleyball.com. The group joins a Boilermaker squad which has earned back-to-back Sweet 16 berths and loses just one senior starter from its 2006 roster.

The class, which consists of Kristen Arthurs (6-3 MH), Blair Bashen (5-10 DS/OH), Jordan Fullove (5-6 DS), Jaclyn Hart (6-1 S), Mandy Nichols (6-3 OH) and Jessica Ullrich (5-9 DS/OH) received high praise from prepvolleyball.com to go along with its top 10 ranking.

"Although the Boilermakers return six of seven starters from their 2006 Sweet Sixteen squad, the 2007 recruiting class has the arsenal to add more fuel to the fire," prepvolleyball.com says. "Purdue will welcome six new players to camp, including three of PrepVolleyball's top 40 Senior Aces."

Arthurs (No. 15), Hart (No. 31) and Nichols (No. 38) all were named among PrepVolleyball's top 40 Senior Aces in January. Arthurs also was named as a Fab 50 recruit by Volleyball Magazine, which lists the top 50 players in each recruiting class.

Friday's announcement marks the third straight year a Boilermaker recruiting class has received acclaim from prepvolleyball.com. The 2005 class of Stephanie Lynch, Danita Merlau, and Kelli Miller was ranked sixth in the nation, while the 2006 class of Katie Bremner, Sam Gray, Carrie Gurnell and Lisa Pierce was ranked 13th.

PrepVolleyball.com ranks the top 30 recruiting classes in the nation. The top five classes in the nation will be attending Stanford, Texas, USC, Minnesota and Nebraska in the fall.

The Boilermaker recruits are expected to make an impact right away on a squad that is slated to face 12 NCAA Tournament teams, including seven that finished the 2006 season among the nation's top 25.

Purdue kicks off its 2007 campaign at the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C., on August 24.

A listing of prepvolleyball.com's comments about each individual player follows.

Kristen Arthurs
"Arthurs, Michigan's Gatorade Player of the Year, will bring size and talent to the Boiler front-line and will compete for playing time anywhere along the net."

Blair Bashen
"Bashen is an exceptional athlete who will bring versatility and a fast jump to West Lafayette. She may be used as an outside hitter, but is also expected to develop into a cat-quick defender."

Jordan Fullove
"Fullove has a strong ball-control background and will add quickness and savvy to the backcourt crew."

Jaclyn Hart
"Contending for setting time will be the 6-1 Hart. Her size and blocking ability may serve the Boilers well in the Big Ten Conference, which is known for the size and power of its attackers. Hart, when combined with returning setter Sam Gray, will offer Purdue the versatility of running the conventional 5-1 offense or the 6-2 configuration that was often used a year ago."

Mandy Nichols
"Somewhat forgotten because of consecutive foot surgeries that forced her to miss most of the past two seasons, Nichols will make some noise in the Boilermaker camp next fall. She plays high above the net and is a smart hitter who can also pass and play defense. Nichols has the ability to perform at either pin."

Jessica Ullrich
"Ullrich turned down offers to play all six rotations in college to focus on passing and defense for Purdue. She is a determined competitor who will add intensity and an excellent jump-float serve to the team's mix."

Printer-friendly format	Email this article

Purdue Boilermakers