Volleyball Adds Three to 2019 Roster
3/6/2019 12:21:00 PM | Volleyball
GS returns four starters from last year’s team.
STATESBORO – Georgia Southern volleyball coach Chad Willis announced today that Meredith Eckard (Duluth, Ga./Duluth), Caitlyn Meeks (Lemont, Ill./Montini Catholic) and Abby Strong (Clearwater, Fla./Palm Harbor University) will compete for the Eagles, beginning in the 2019 season.
"We are excited to have Abby, Caitlin and Meredith joining our Georgia Southern Volleyball family," said Willis. "Over the course of the last three weeks, our staff has gotten to know each of them, and we feel confident they are ready and eager to invest in our vision moving forward. Each brings a unique set of experience and talent on and off the court, adding to the overall depth of our roster as we continue to pursue excellence academically, athletically and socially."
Meredith Eckard, DS/L, Duluth, Ga./Duluth/A5
A two-time first-team all-county selection for coach Allison Boes at Duluth High School • Named a GVCA Senior All-Star after posting 300 kills, 401 digs, 47 aces and 35 assists in 2018 • Also earned all-county second-team honors and all-county honorable mention accolades during her career • Owns school record for career assists with 1,670.
Willis on Eckard: "It's always great when you can keep home-grown talent in your program, and that's exactly what we're getting with Meredith. Coming from a premier club, she understands the demands and intensity of training at a very high level. In addition to her skill set, Meredith brings a contagious energy on and off the court that will make an immediate impact on our team."
Caitlyn Meeks, DS/L, Lemont, Ill./Montini Catholic/Sports Performance
Lettered four years for coach Steve Dowjotas at Montini Catholic High School • Tallied 295 kills, 290 digs and 20 aces en route to earning all-conference and academic all-conference honors as a senior • Helped the Broncos win three straight Regional 3A Conference Championships.
Willis on Meeks: "First contact has been and will continue to be a top priority for our team. Caitlin understands what it's like to compete at a high level consistently and will add immediate depth to our ball control group. A driven competitor, Caitlin's skill set and personality will be a great fit, and we're excited to get to work with her."
Abby Strong, S, Clearwater, Fla./Palm Harbor University/OTVA
Lettered four seasons for coach Dexter Rogers at Palm Harbor University High School • Named 2018-All Pinellas County First Team Setter and All-Tampa Second Team Setter by the Tampa Bay Times • Named All-Tampa First Team Setter by the Tampa Bay Times in 2015, 2016 and 2017 • Collected 621 assists, 280 digs, 74 blocks, 68 aces and 61 kills while leading Palm Harbor to a 22-7 record • Led the Hurricanes to Class 8A FHSAA Regional Finals in all four years of her career • Finished career with 2,400 assists, 680 digs, 220 aces, 180 kills and 123 blocks in 250 sets.
Willis on Strong: "Abby brings with her a great amount of experience and training from the high school and club ranks. Along with being a fierce competitor, Abby plays with a steady demeanor on the court. Abby's athleticism, skill set and work ethic will be a great addition to our current setting group, and we're looking forward to working alongside her."
Georgia Southern is set to return 13 letterwinners and four starters to the 2019 team.
"We are excited to have Abby, Caitlin and Meredith joining our Georgia Southern Volleyball family," said Willis. "Over the course of the last three weeks, our staff has gotten to know each of them, and we feel confident they are ready and eager to invest in our vision moving forward. Each brings a unique set of experience and talent on and off the court, adding to the overall depth of our roster as we continue to pursue excellence academically, athletically and socially."
Meredith Eckard, DS/L, Duluth, Ga./Duluth/A5
A two-time first-team all-county selection for coach Allison Boes at Duluth High School • Named a GVCA Senior All-Star after posting 300 kills, 401 digs, 47 aces and 35 assists in 2018 • Also earned all-county second-team honors and all-county honorable mention accolades during her career • Owns school record for career assists with 1,670.
Willis on Eckard: "It's always great when you can keep home-grown talent in your program, and that's exactly what we're getting with Meredith. Coming from a premier club, she understands the demands and intensity of training at a very high level. In addition to her skill set, Meredith brings a contagious energy on and off the court that will make an immediate impact on our team."
Caitlyn Meeks, DS/L, Lemont, Ill./Montini Catholic/Sports Performance
Lettered four years for coach Steve Dowjotas at Montini Catholic High School • Tallied 295 kills, 290 digs and 20 aces en route to earning all-conference and academic all-conference honors as a senior • Helped the Broncos win three straight Regional 3A Conference Championships.
Willis on Meeks: "First contact has been and will continue to be a top priority for our team. Caitlin understands what it's like to compete at a high level consistently and will add immediate depth to our ball control group. A driven competitor, Caitlin's skill set and personality will be a great fit, and we're excited to get to work with her."
Abby Strong, S, Clearwater, Fla./Palm Harbor University/OTVA
Lettered four seasons for coach Dexter Rogers at Palm Harbor University High School • Named 2018-All Pinellas County First Team Setter and All-Tampa Second Team Setter by the Tampa Bay Times • Named All-Tampa First Team Setter by the Tampa Bay Times in 2015, 2016 and 2017 • Collected 621 assists, 280 digs, 74 blocks, 68 aces and 61 kills while leading Palm Harbor to a 22-7 record • Led the Hurricanes to Class 8A FHSAA Regional Finals in all four years of her career • Finished career with 2,400 assists, 680 digs, 220 aces, 180 kills and 123 blocks in 250 sets.
Willis on Strong: "Abby brings with her a great amount of experience and training from the high school and club ranks. Along with being a fierce competitor, Abby plays with a steady demeanor on the court. Abby's athleticism, skill set and work ethic will be a great addition to our current setting group, and we're looking forward to working alongside her."
Georgia Southern is set to return 13 letterwinners and four starters to the 2019 team.
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